Monster Energy Kawasaki Grabs Two Seconds in Mt. Morris

May 29, 2007, 1:29pm

MT. MORRIS, Pa. (May 27, 2007) – Monster Energy Kawasaki rider James Stewart captured second-place in the AMA Motocross class while Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto earned the runner-up position in the AMA Motocross Lites division at the Kawasaki/Monster Energy High Point National.

Stewart put in a strong ride in the first moto on his Kawasaki KX™450F, running out front for 11 laps before finishing in the runner-up spot. In the second moto, he worked his way around a few riders and caught up to the second position earning second-place overall for the weekend (2-2).

“In order to win races like we want to win, we have to get a little better on everyone’s part including myself,” said Stewart. “I am going to go back and work just to make sure I am prepared and I feel like my team will do the same thing.”

Teammate Timmy Ferry put in an impressive ride aboard his Kawasaki KX450F, earning third in the first moto and fourth in the second for fourth place overall.

“Overall, I am happy with today’s result,” said Ferry. “I got some good steady points and that’s what I really wanted to do in the first few races anyway.”

In the AMA Motocross Lites class, Villopoto rode two solid motos aboard his Kawasaki KX™250F, having to work his way though the pack in each. He went 2-2 for second overall and holds the points lead by a seven-point margin over teammate Ben Townley.

“I really had to work for my finishes this week since I didn’t get the best of starts,” said Villopoto. “I just kind of felt off all weekend, but I am glad I was able to pull it together and get some good finishes in the motos.”

After an opening round victory, Townley was not as fortunate at High Point. He crashed on the start straight in moto one and then in turn two came together with another rider busting his front wheel. He was then forced to pull off into the mechanics area for a replacement. After spending over a minute for the repair, he remounted almost a lap down and rode an amazing race that saw him catch up to 10th place. In the second moto, Townley got a great start and was able to pull off the victory, which earned him third-place overall (10-1).

After a strong opening round last week, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Brett Metcalfe broke his left thumb in Sunday’s practice session and was unable to race. He is expected to undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair the damage and is expected to return in five to six weeks. Chris Gosselaar, who crashed pretty hard last week at Hangtown, visited his doctor and found that he had a broken bone in his shoulder. He missed High Point and a return date has not been set.

MotoSport Kawasaki's Bobby Kiniry finished in the 15th position overall while teammates Kyle Chisholm and Steve Boniface finished in 16th and 22nd respectively. Matt Boni twisted his knee in Saturday’s practice and was unable to race on Sunday.

The teams head to Southwick, Mass., on June 9-10 for the third round of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Series.

RACE RESULTS

AMA Motocross Championship Series
Kawasaki/Monster Energy High Point National
High Point Raceway – Mt. Morris
May 27, 2007

AMA Motocross (Moto Finishes)
1. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 1-1
2. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 2-2
3. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 4-3
4. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 3-4
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 5-6
6. Grant Langston, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha, 7-5
7. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 6-7
8. Michael Byrne, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki, 8-9
9. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 11-8
10. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 9-10

AMA Motocross Class Point Standings
1. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 97
2. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 87
3. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 78
4. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 76
5. Grant Langston, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha, 61
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 59
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 59
8. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 50
9. Michael Byrne, Menifee, Calif., Suzuki, 48
10. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 43

AMA Motocross Lites (Moto Finishes)
1. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 1-3
2. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 2-2
3. BEN TOWNLEY, TALLAHASSEE, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 10-1
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 4-4
5. Jason Lawrence, Murrieta, Ga., Yamaha, 3-6
6. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 6-8
7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 5-7
8. Broc Tickle, Cary, N.C., Yamaha, 9-8
9. Joshua Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 7-10
10. Matthew Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Yamaha, 12-9

AMA Motocross Lites Point Standings
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 91
2. BEN TOWNLEY, TALLAHASSEE, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 83
3. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 78
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 76
5. Jason Lawrence, Murrieta, Ga., Yamaha, 67
6. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 59
7. Broc Tickle, Cary, N.C., Yamaha, 52
8. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 48
9. Joshua Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 36
10. Matthew Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., 33