Supercross Returns to New Orleans
AURORA, Ill. – In just two races, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Chad Reed stopped San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart’s seven race win streak and began a two-race win streak of his own, setting the stage for the return Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship to New Orleans’ Superdome, this Saturday, March 14 for the first time since 2002.
A press conference will be held Thursday, March 12 from Noon-2:00 p.m. in the Hall of Fame Room at the Superdome. The featured riders will be Louisiana’s own Kevin Windham and the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team, featuring Reed, Michael Byrne, Mike Alessi and Nico Izzi.
Chad Reed has an 11-point lead in AMA Supercross class racing
Photo Credit: Simon Cudby
Last Saturday at the Daytona International Speedway, Reed, who is the defending AMA Supercross class champion, moved into the lead with four laps left in the main event, passing Yamaha rider Jason Lawrence and picking up his second win of the season. Heading into Daytona, Reed and Stewart were locked at 199 points in the championship. Stewart suffered from a first-turn crash and finished a disappointing seventh place and now trails Reed by 11 points.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel cushioned his Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class points lead to a comfortable 15 as he picked up his third win of the season Saturday night in Daytona.
Christophe Pourcel Picked up his first Daytona win
Photo Credit: Christophe Pourcel
“The return of the Monster Energy® Supercross to the Superdome is great news for all of fans throughout the Gulf region,” said Alan Freeman, general manager, Superdome. “This is another of the big sports events that keep coming back, because they love New Orleans and they want to be in the Superdome. We’re glad they’re back and we can’t wait for March 14.”
Windham, a 14 year veteran on the Monster Energy® Supercross tour, won the AMA Supercross class main event at the Superdome in 1998. In 2008, he earned four wins en route to finishing second overall in the point standings. He began racing professionally in 1994 and won the 1996 Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship. He has 16 career AMA Supercross class wins.
Christophe Pourcel now has a 15-point lead in the Lites class
Photo Credit: Simon Cudby
“In my long career of 14 years there are some races that will always stick in my mind,” said Windham. “One of these those is my win in New Orleans in ‘98 in front of my friends and family.”
Since hosting its last supercross in 2002, New Orleans’ Superdome has undergone dramatic changes due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. As part of the city’s rebuilding process, Monster Energy® Supercross will return to the Superdome March 14. After reopening on September 25, 2006, the Superdome’s increasingly busy schedule is synonymous with its rich heritage in the French Quarter. In February this year Monster Jam® set an attendance record by selling out the Superdome with 60,362 fans attending only the second motorsports event at the venue since 2005. Adding Monster Energy® Supercross to the list of the Superdome’s premier events is part of the developing economic growth taking place in New Orleans as the city returns to business as one of the country’s most popular destination cities.
James Stewart suffered from a huge first-turn crash at Daytona
Photo Credit: Simon Cudby
“When I saw that supercross was coming back to New Orleans I was so excited,” said Windham. Being from nearby Baton Rouge, it will be a great race for me in front of my home town. During this long road of post Katrina, it has been great to see the resurgence of a great city. It will be an honor to be a part of the sports entertainment line-up for the city of New Orleans. It has been great to see the success of the Saints and the Hornets. I'll be in there house and hope to follow in there foot steps.”
Five-time AMA Supercross class champion Ricky Carmichael holds the class’ all-time win record at the Superdome with two and is the only rider to win at the venue in both racing divisions. Defending AMA Supercross class champion Chad Reed won the AMA Supercross Lites class race at the Superdome in 2002 as a rookie and can join Carmichael as the only riders to win in both classes.
Tickets are available at www.SupercrossOnline.com, by phone at 504-522-5555, the Louisiana Superdome Box Office, Ticketmaster, Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, and participating Yamaha dealerships. Select 200 Level Seats $50; Trackside Seating in the 100 Level $30; Mid-Level pricing with kids discount $25 for adults and $10 for kids; Supervalue Seats $10. All seats are $2 extra on the day of the event. All Adult tickets (except Club Seats and Supervalue Seats) $10 off July 18th – July 25th during the first week of the public on sale. Discount valid at Louisiana Superdome Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets and online at Ticketmaster.com.
AMA Supercross Class Results, Daytona
- Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki
- Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
- Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda
- Mike Alessi, Apple Valley, Calif., Suzuki
- Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
- Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
- Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ken., KTM
- Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
- Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki, 224
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 213
- Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 163
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 153
- Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 140
- Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 138
- Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 136
- Mike Alessi, Apple Valley, Calif., Suzuki, 131
- Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 128
- Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 100
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results, Daytona
- Christophe Pourcel, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki
- Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM
- Nico Izzi, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
- Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Yamaha
- Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, KTM
- Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki
- Darryn Durham, Wildomar, Calif., Yamaha
- Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha
- Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda
- Kyle Keylon, Brooksville, Fla., Honda
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 97
2. Nico Izzi, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 82
3. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 59
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM, 56
5. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, KTM, 52
6. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki, 51
7. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Yamaha, 47
8. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 46
9. Steven Clarke, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki, 40
10. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki
Past Winners in New Orleans
AMA Supercross Class
June 4, 1977: Marty Smith
May 20, 1978: Bob Hannah
June 2 1979: Steve Wise
May 3, 1980: Mike Bell
May 4, 1980: Mark Barnett
March 14, 1998: Kevin Windham
April 17, 1999: Ezra Lusk
April 15, 2000: David Vuillemin
March 3, 2001: Ricky Carmichael
March 16, 2002: Ricky Carmichael
AMA Supercross Lites Class
March 14, 1998: Ricky Carmichael
April 17, 1999: Ernesto Fonseca
April 15, 2000: Stephane Roncada
March 3, 2001: Travis Pastrana
March 16, 2002: Chad Reed
For more information on the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305.
About Feld Motor Sports
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy® Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Freestyle Motocross, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.
