450 Words: San Diego

February 11, 2008, 12:01pm

San Manuel Yamaha’s Chad Reed won yet again, although it wasn’t as easy as we’ve seen in the past. The San Diego Supercross was actually pretty exciting, as Reed fended off both early and late-race charges by Red Bull Honda rider Davi Millsaps to claim his 31st career AMA Supercross win. Reed is now five-for-six in the 2008 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, as well as inside Qualcomm Stadium since 2003, and he now has a comfortable 35-point lead over Torco Racing Fuels Honda’s Kevin Windham, who finished fifth Saturday night. Even with a late crash that saw him surrender the lead, Chad’s in charge.

Can Reed be stopped?

But the big story is the resurgence of Davi Millsaps. Should we even call it resurgence? Millsaps has showed flashes of speed all year long, and he really came out swinging Saturday night and stunned the 2004 AMA Supercross Champion by passing him on Lap 1. Millsaps held the point for two laps before surrendering to Reed’s pressure on Lap 3. Reed slowly crept away, but then on Lap 12 he made that rare mistake in the sandy first turn which left the door wide open for Millsaps. The #118 reassumed the lead and stayed there for four laps, but just couldn’t muster the speed to keep Reed at bay. In fact, Millsaps even succumbed to Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry in the waning moments of the race. Regardless, Millsaps displayed that he has what it takes to run up front, and he may even win one of these things before the season is over. He is one of a few on a list that seems to grow smaller with every convincing ride by Reed.

The competition seems to be closing the gap on Reed, albeit slowly, but it’s still obvious to all that the Aussie is the fastest rider in the class. What’s it going to take to stop him from winning? And yes, this is a conversation we’ve had about Jeremy. And Ricky. And Stewart last year. And now Chad.

Here’s an idea: Why not give the point’s leader the last pick on the gate, and give the lowest guy in the standings who qualified for the main event the first gate pick? Wouldn’t it be much more exciting if the point’s leader had to battle his way up through the pack?

But even with the last gate pick, chances are still pretty good that Reed can get the holeshot. Jason Lawrence had the 18th gate pick for the Lites main and managed to get Progressive Holeshot award!

Also, why do all the main events have to be 20 laps, regardless of track length? If the track is a bit shorter, why not bump up the SX main to 25 laps and the Lites main to 20 laps? Who would complain? The fans would get more for their money and the rider’s would get more track time. What do you think? If you have any feedback, e-mail us at online@racerxill.com.

AMA Supercross Results:
1. Chad Reed (Yam)
2. Tim Ferry (Kaw)
3. Davi Millsaps (Hon)
4. Andrew Short (Hon)
5. Kevin Windham (Hon)
6. Josh Hill (Yam)
7. David Vuillemin (Suz)
8. Nathan Ramsey (Yam)
9. Nick Wey (KTM)
10. Jason Thomas (Hon)
11. Troy Adams (Hon)
12. Kevin Johnson (Yam)
13. Paul Carpenter (Hon)
14. Travis Preston (Kaw)
15. Jeff Alessi (Hon)
16. Eric Sorby (Hon)
17. Jacob Marsack (Hon)
18. Josh Hansen (Yam)
19. Greg Crater (Hon)
20. Charles Summey (Yam)