Monster Energy Cernics Kawasaki Shows Strong Performance
Phoenix, AZ - The Monster Energy Cernics Kawasaki Team entered round two of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series with high expectations. After a solid performance the previous week, Paul Carpenter and Bobby Kiniry both qualified for the Supercross main event out of their heat races.
Kiniry took the gate in the first heat race with a mid-pack start. He found himself in ninth place at the end of the first lap and began his charge to catch the pack of riders in front of him. He rode smooth and consistent to qualify for the main with a seventh position. The second heat race featured Carpenter but a poor start forced him to work hard to get into qualifying position. By the end of the first lap he charged up to tenth place, and eventually moved to eighth place at the finish line. Once again, both Monster Energy Cernics Kawasaki riders qualified for the main event.
At the start of the main event, Kiniry rounded the first few turns in seventh place and set his sights on a top ten finish. However, as he entered the sand section of the fast paced Phoenix track, another rider made a slight bobble and Bobby went down. Kiniry picked his bike up in last place and worked hard to gain positions. In the end, Kiniry could only pick up a few spots and finished the race in sixteenth place. "I'm really frustrated with myself," said Kiniry. "I got a pretty decent start and we were in a great position to get a top ten finish. I felt like I was riding well again, but we just can't put the results together yet. We're working hard so I know the results will come."
Carpenter got a bad jump off of the gate and entered turn one in the back of the field. Just like the prior week, he had to make his charge from way back. This track was much more difficult to pass on and he could only work his way back to thirteenth position at the finish. "My starts are really hurting me right now and we're going to work on that this week," explained Carpenter. "I know the speed is there but this track was just tough to make a pass stick. There was a whole pack of riders in front of me and a good start would have put me at the front of the that pack."
The Cernics Kawasaki Racing Team will travel to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California next week for round three of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series on January 17, 2009.
