250 Words: Daytona

Did you know that every year since 2006, the winner of the Lites class at Daytona has gone on to win the championship? That being said, it looks as if that streak just may continue in 2009, as the points leader prior to Daytona – Christophe Pourcel – put in a smooth, consistent 15 laps to take the checkered flag on Saturday night, thus extending his points lead to 15 over Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Nico Izzi. Pourcel started in second and rode a smart, very patient race and let the win come to him.

However, this isn’t about how Christophe Pourcel may have won the championship by winning on Saturday; this is more of how Austin Stroupe lost it. The first lap of any supercross main event is beyond hectic, especially in the Lites division. On Saturday night, while riders were bunched up and jockeying for position everywhere from the leaders to last place, Austin Stroupe tried to make a move on Muscle Milk KTM’s Martin Davalos in a tricky rhythm section that sent Stroupe flying off of his bike, thus ending his night.

When Speed TV’s Erin Bates asked him about the crash, Stroupe didn’t hesitate to blame Davalos, who went on to finish in second. Up in the broadcaster’s booth, Jeff Emig and Ricky Carmichael disagreed with him.

{LINKS}Regardless of how you see it, though, nothing is going to change the fact that Austin Stroupe now trails his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammate by 38 points with four rounds remaining.

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results, Daytona

1. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki
2. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, KTM
3. Nico Izzi, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
4. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Yamaha
5. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, KTM
6. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki
7. Darryn Durham, Wildomar, Calif., Yamaha
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha
9. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda
10. Kyle Keylon, Brooksville, Fla., Honda

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 97
2. Nico Izzi, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 82
3. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 59
4. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, 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, England, Suzuki, 40
10. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki