Spy Optic’s Kevin Windham Places Season-Best 6th
January 13, 2009, 11:54am
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Veteran Kevin “K-Dub” Windham (Geico Powersports/Honda) led all the Spy Optic racers at round two of 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, held at Phoenix’s Chase Field as he finished a season-best 6th place in front of a near sold out crowd of 46,566.
After placing 2nd in the first heat race (behind rival Chad Reed), Windham made it clear he was out to improve upon his 15th place finish at the Anaheim (Calif.) opener, blasting his Honda CRF450R out to a respectable start and 7th place racing position after the first lap. From there Windham would battle with a couple other Honda factory racers, including Andrew Short, and move up as high as 5th place in the race.
“There was a lot to that track tonight – you really had to concentrate and limit the mistakes,” said Windham. “My goal was to improve greatly on the Anaheim 1 finish, which we were able to do. Now we focus on the podium.”
Though Windham’s top lap time in the main event (54.253) barely put him in the top ten overall, he relied on his veteran skills and ability to handle pressure, rode consistent and held off a hard-charging Ryan Villopoto for the 6th spot late in the 20-lap contest. As it stands Windham is in 8th place overall in the SX class standing with 21 points, just nine points back of the top five.
Also running well for Spy Optic – until the closing laps of the contest – was Nick Wey (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing). Wey got a poor start and was battling through the pack and into the top ten when the wreck occurred. He was able to remount and salvage a 15th place finish, two places back of Spy Optic’s Paul Carpenter (Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki) who was 13th overall.
In the Lites class Spy Optic’s Jason “JLaw” Lawrence (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing) – the defending WSX Lites champ – would have a rough go of it at Phoenix, having Jeff Alessi crash in front of him on the start of the first heat race, then having a similar accident occur in the LCQ when Kyle Cunningham wrecked in front of him. Bottom line: No main event and zero points for JLaw.
“I got 5th at Phoenix last year and 21st – with no points – at Anaheim 2, then won the next three straight races,” said Lawrence. “So this is far from over.”
Next up for the Spy Optic-backed supercross racers is round three of the 2009 Monster Energy Supercross Series back at Anaheim’s Angel Stadium (Jan. 17).
About Spy
Spy Optic designs, develops and markets premium products for the action sports and youth lifestyle markets. Spy’s principal products, sunglasses and goggles, target the action sports market, including surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, motocross, wakeboarding and skiing, and the youth lifestyle market within fashion, music, and entertainment. Spy’s innovative proprietary products utilize high-quality materials, handcrafted manufacturing processes and engineered optical lens technology to convey premium quality, contemporary style, and progressive design. Spy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Orange 21, Inc. (NASDAQ:ORNG). www.spyoptic.com
About Crown Athlete Management Group
Crown Athlete Management Group is the most comprehensive marketing, branding and athlete management firm focused on the future of action sports. For sponsorship opportunities or media information please contact (info@crownamg.com) or by phone at (760) 918-9382. Please visit us online at www.CrownAMG.com
After placing 2nd in the first heat race (behind rival Chad Reed), Windham made it clear he was out to improve upon his 15th place finish at the Anaheim (Calif.) opener, blasting his Honda CRF450R out to a respectable start and 7th place racing position after the first lap. From there Windham would battle with a couple other Honda factory racers, including Andrew Short, and move up as high as 5th place in the race.
“There was a lot to that track tonight – you really had to concentrate and limit the mistakes,” said Windham. “My goal was to improve greatly on the Anaheim 1 finish, which we were able to do. Now we focus on the podium.”
Though Windham’s top lap time in the main event (54.253) barely put him in the top ten overall, he relied on his veteran skills and ability to handle pressure, rode consistent and held off a hard-charging Ryan Villopoto for the 6th spot late in the 20-lap contest. As it stands Windham is in 8th place overall in the SX class standing with 21 points, just nine points back of the top five.
Also running well for Spy Optic – until the closing laps of the contest – was Nick Wey (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing). Wey got a poor start and was battling through the pack and into the top ten when the wreck occurred. He was able to remount and salvage a 15th place finish, two places back of Spy Optic’s Paul Carpenter (Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki) who was 13th overall.
In the Lites class Spy Optic’s Jason “JLaw” Lawrence (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing) – the defending WSX Lites champ – would have a rough go of it at Phoenix, having Jeff Alessi crash in front of him on the start of the first heat race, then having a similar accident occur in the LCQ when Kyle Cunningham wrecked in front of him. Bottom line: No main event and zero points for JLaw.
“I got 5th at Phoenix last year and 21st – with no points – at Anaheim 2, then won the next three straight races,” said Lawrence. “So this is far from over.”
Next up for the Spy Optic-backed supercross racers is round three of the 2009 Monster Energy Supercross Series back at Anaheim’s Angel Stadium (Jan. 17).
About Spy
Spy Optic designs, develops and markets premium products for the action sports and youth lifestyle markets. Spy’s principal products, sunglasses and goggles, target the action sports market, including surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, motocross, wakeboarding and skiing, and the youth lifestyle market within fashion, music, and entertainment. Spy’s innovative proprietary products utilize high-quality materials, handcrafted manufacturing processes and engineered optical lens technology to convey premium quality, contemporary style, and progressive design. Spy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Orange 21, Inc. (NASDAQ:ORNG). www.spyoptic.com
About Crown Athlete Management Group
Crown Athlete Management Group is the most comprehensive marketing, branding and athlete management firm focused on the future of action sports. For sponsorship opportunities or media information please contact (info@crownamg.com) or by phone at (760) 918-9382. Please visit us online at www.CrownAMG.com
