Spy Optic's Kevin Windham Places 7th
CARLSBAD, Calif., - Spy Optic's Kevin "K- Dub" Windham put in another workman-like, highly consistent premier SX class performance at Salt Lake City's Rice-Eccles Stadium this past Saturday, scoring a 7th place finish in the main event and taking an eight-point lead into the final round - Las Vegas - for a prestigious top five overall SX class finish.
The veteran racer from Mississippi has been the model of consistency since starting the '09 Monster Energy Supercross season with an un- Windham-like 15th place finish at the Anaheim (Calif.) opener. Since then he's placed in the top ten 14 times out of the next 15 races. His effort at SLC giving him a solid hold on the coveted fifth and final top five spot in the premier SX class standings.
"It was nice to be back racing in Utah," said Windham of Saturday's event. "We had a great turnout despite the weather, fans were into it - heck - even their governor rides a dirt bike (Jon Huntsman - R, Utah)!" Noteworthy: Windham won the last main event held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in 2004.
Windham opened qualifying practice on Saturday on the same pace as the top riders, his best time of :54.801 being only a few tenths off the No.2 time set by Ryan Villopoto. Gunning for a good gate pick in the main, Windham had to play catch up in the second heat race as he came around after the first lap outside the top ten (top nine transfer to the main). Within a few laps he was on pace to qualify - at the least - up to 10th place with four laps remaining in the heat. Doing just what he needed to transfer, Windham got in at 8th - which didn't give him the greatest gate pick for the main.
"It was pretty slick out there in our heat race. I didn't want to risk anything and end up in the LCQ," said Windham. "So I played it safe and snuck in (to the main), hoping I could pull a descent start despite my gate pick."
Windham managed to avoid trouble at the start of the SX class main, powering his Factory Connection-tuned Honda CRF450R - with clear vision provided by his Spy Optic signature Magneto goggles - through the first turn and into top ten (8th) position after the first lap. By lap nine Windham had moved up to 6th place and held that position through the very last lap (20) before Josh Grant caught him and Windham settled for 7th.
As it stands Windham leads Ivan Tedesco by eight points, 218-210, for 5th overall in the SX class with one race remaining. He (Windham) also trails Grant, who has been all over the scoreboard this year (1st to DNQ), by five points for 4th overall (223-218).
Also putting on a good show in their Spy Magnetos were the New Yorkers, Monster Energy/Cernic's/Kawasaki's Paul Carpenter and Bobby Kiniry. Carpenter would put up the best numbers of the two, narrowly missing out on a top ten (11th) in the SX class main, while Kiniry added some big time fireworks in his heat race, pulling the holeshot (before a mistake cost him a transfer spot) and battling elbow-to-elbow with Grant for the final LCQ transfer spot - which went to Grant. The final Spy Optic racer that figured in the SLC SX class scoring was Michigan's Nick Wey (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing). Wey just topped Carpenter in the first heat race, then placed 12th (just behind Carpenter) in the SX main. Next up for the Spy Optic supercross racers is the final round of Monster Energy Supercross at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium (May 2nd). 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
