H.O.T. Dallas Race Report
March 23, 2010 12:23pm
With 49,082 fans packing the new Dallas Stadium, Honda of Troy Racing was set to do battle.
#36 Durham and the #505 Lipanovich lined up for the first heat of the night. Lipanovich was consumed by a first turn pile-up and would not have a chance to show his speed until the LCQ. Durham avoided the crash and netted a 6th place start. Our goal for Durham this week was to ride smart and put the #36 bike in the main event. Darryn rode a great qualifier and made a few passes qualifying a very solid 4th.
#412 Kilbarger and #92 Willard were in the second heat and started their night on the right foot with Kilbarger firing out of the gate nearly getting the holeshot. Settling into second place, on lap 2 Levi had a slight miscue and found himself on the ground. He got up and was able to secure a 9th place finish in the heat and a spot in the main event. Willard was not as lucky on the start but put his head down for a 7th place heat finish and his spot in the main.
In the LCQ Sean Lipanovich found a stacked field which included Baggett, Metcalfe, Cunningham, and Friese. With only 2 spots to advance to the main the #505 knew that a good start was crucial if he was going to advance. So when the gate dropped the #505 dropped the hammer and when the pack rounded the first turn he found himself in the lead. Sean put all of the last 2 weeks lessons to work for him and rode a smart race. He protected his lines and seemed to have found the race speed he was looking for, holding off Baggett and Cunningham for 2 ½ laps. At the 2 ½ lap mark Sean misjudged a rutted corner and found himself in the tuff blocks and off the track. When he re-entered the track he was out of qualifying position but relieved to see that the race had been red flagged and the race would be restarted. Now all he was going to have to do was pull another holeshot – LOL. That is exactly what he did, this time battling with Metcalfe for the start. Metcalfe took the lead and Lipanovich was under heavy pressure from Cunningham. After crossing the finish line for lap one, Sean took the left hand turn and set himself up for the technical rhythm section with Cunningham following closely. Sean moved left off of the jump face and came into contact with Cunningham-slamming Sean to the ground and dashing his hopes for a spot in the main event. Even though Sean was denied a chance in the main event this week Sean saw that his riding is progressing leaps and bounds and has found the speed on the track he has been looking for.
With 3 H.O.T. riders in the Main Event this week good things were expected from the crew. When the gate dropped it was Kilbarger again that emerged at the lead of the pack – way out from the outside. Now that is horsepower! As he began to round the first turn Austin Stroupe got hit from the inside, standing him upright and unable to make the turn. Stroupe hit Levi square in the side and sent the #412 spiraling off the track and down to the concrete (the attached pictures tell the story). In the fall Kilbarger tried to catch himself with his previously injured leg. This would put an end to his night. Claimed in the crash were approximately 12 of the 20 riders in the main including the #36 of Durham. The only Troy rider to escape the carnage was #92 Michael Willard who found himself in an amazing 5th place. The lead pack of 5 jumped out to a clean and clear track. Now it was up to Willard to ride his race and not think about the guys charging from behind him. Durham remounted near the back of the pack and never was able to get his wheels under him. On lap 2 he had a minor tip over in the sand section and then once again in one of the long rhythm sections which would end his night with a mild concussion. Now all the Teams hope lay on the shoulders of #92 Willard. As the laps wore on Willard held his own battling with Stroupe and Lemoine for the 5th place spot. On lap 12 of 15, Michael got pushed to the outside of the track and Stroupe and Lemoine raced by. With 2 laps to go he began to feel the pressure from the former champion Pourcel. The pressure from the good start was more than he could handle and he locked up early in the race. For the #92 this was a battle of attrition and by the races end it was all he could do to ride off the track. An 8th place finish is Michael Willard’s best Supercross finish to date but it was not a finish that he was proud of, feeling like he let this one slip through his fingers. He will be back next week looking to redeem himself and prove to himself that he belongs at the front of the pack.
With the injuries to Kilbarger and Durham it is unsure at this time when we will see them back in action. Levi Kilbarger is being evaluated by the specialist that previously treated his broken femur. Thankfully the x-rays show no breaks; however, his leg is tender sore and it is not certain whether he will be able to get back on the track in Jacksonville. The team has determined it may be in Darryn’s best interest to take a week off after suffering two minor concussions in consecutive race weekends. With a break after Jacksonville, the time off could do him some good.
The Honda of Troy/Kilbarger Racing Team would like to acknowledge the sponsors who make this effort possible.
Honda of Troy, Kilbarger Racing LLC, Eleven 10 Mods, WAR - We All Ride, Fox Racing Shox, Cycra Racing, Motorex, TAG Metals, Yoshimura, Motion Pro, Renegade Race Fuel, Faction Mx, N-Style, Dunlop, DP Brake Pads, QTM, G2 Ergonomics, ARC, Boyesen, Light Speed, Hinson, RK/Excel, Ride Eng., Hammerhead, Straight Shot Air Filters, Bell Helmets, Hot Hedz Designs, Von Zipper, Total Image AutoSport, Kicker, ICW, Rocks Racing Services, Injectioneering, IMS Foot Pegs, Franklin Equipment, and Gabriel Logan
#36 Durham and the #505 Lipanovich lined up for the first heat of the night. Lipanovich was consumed by a first turn pile-up and would not have a chance to show his speed until the LCQ. Durham avoided the crash and netted a 6th place start. Our goal for Durham this week was to ride smart and put the #36 bike in the main event. Darryn rode a great qualifier and made a few passes qualifying a very solid 4th.
#412 Kilbarger and #92 Willard were in the second heat and started their night on the right foot with Kilbarger firing out of the gate nearly getting the holeshot. Settling into second place, on lap 2 Levi had a slight miscue and found himself on the ground. He got up and was able to secure a 9th place finish in the heat and a spot in the main event. Willard was not as lucky on the start but put his head down for a 7th place heat finish and his spot in the main.
In the LCQ Sean Lipanovich found a stacked field which included Baggett, Metcalfe, Cunningham, and Friese. With only 2 spots to advance to the main the #505 knew that a good start was crucial if he was going to advance. So when the gate dropped the #505 dropped the hammer and when the pack rounded the first turn he found himself in the lead. Sean put all of the last 2 weeks lessons to work for him and rode a smart race. He protected his lines and seemed to have found the race speed he was looking for, holding off Baggett and Cunningham for 2 ½ laps. At the 2 ½ lap mark Sean misjudged a rutted corner and found himself in the tuff blocks and off the track. When he re-entered the track he was out of qualifying position but relieved to see that the race had been red flagged and the race would be restarted. Now all he was going to have to do was pull another holeshot – LOL. That is exactly what he did, this time battling with Metcalfe for the start. Metcalfe took the lead and Lipanovich was under heavy pressure from Cunningham. After crossing the finish line for lap one, Sean took the left hand turn and set himself up for the technical rhythm section with Cunningham following closely. Sean moved left off of the jump face and came into contact with Cunningham-slamming Sean to the ground and dashing his hopes for a spot in the main event. Even though Sean was denied a chance in the main event this week Sean saw that his riding is progressing leaps and bounds and has found the speed on the track he has been looking for.
With 3 H.O.T. riders in the Main Event this week good things were expected from the crew. When the gate dropped it was Kilbarger again that emerged at the lead of the pack – way out from the outside. Now that is horsepower! As he began to round the first turn Austin Stroupe got hit from the inside, standing him upright and unable to make the turn. Stroupe hit Levi square in the side and sent the #412 spiraling off the track and down to the concrete (the attached pictures tell the story). In the fall Kilbarger tried to catch himself with his previously injured leg. This would put an end to his night. Claimed in the crash were approximately 12 of the 20 riders in the main including the #36 of Durham. The only Troy rider to escape the carnage was #92 Michael Willard who found himself in an amazing 5th place. The lead pack of 5 jumped out to a clean and clear track. Now it was up to Willard to ride his race and not think about the guys charging from behind him. Durham remounted near the back of the pack and never was able to get his wheels under him. On lap 2 he had a minor tip over in the sand section and then once again in one of the long rhythm sections which would end his night with a mild concussion. Now all the Teams hope lay on the shoulders of #92 Willard. As the laps wore on Willard held his own battling with Stroupe and Lemoine for the 5th place spot. On lap 12 of 15, Michael got pushed to the outside of the track and Stroupe and Lemoine raced by. With 2 laps to go he began to feel the pressure from the former champion Pourcel. The pressure from the good start was more than he could handle and he locked up early in the race. For the #92 this was a battle of attrition and by the races end it was all he could do to ride off the track. An 8th place finish is Michael Willard’s best Supercross finish to date but it was not a finish that he was proud of, feeling like he let this one slip through his fingers. He will be back next week looking to redeem himself and prove to himself that he belongs at the front of the pack.
With the injuries to Kilbarger and Durham it is unsure at this time when we will see them back in action. Levi Kilbarger is being evaluated by the specialist that previously treated his broken femur. Thankfully the x-rays show no breaks; however, his leg is tender sore and it is not certain whether he will be able to get back on the track in Jacksonville. The team has determined it may be in Darryn’s best interest to take a week off after suffering two minor concussions in consecutive race weekends. With a break after Jacksonville, the time off could do him some good.
The Honda of Troy/Kilbarger Racing Team would like to acknowledge the sponsors who make this effort possible.
Honda of Troy, Kilbarger Racing LLC, Eleven 10 Mods, WAR - We All Ride, Fox Racing Shox, Cycra Racing, Motorex, TAG Metals, Yoshimura, Motion Pro, Renegade Race Fuel, Faction Mx, N-Style, Dunlop, DP Brake Pads, QTM, G2 Ergonomics, ARC, Boyesen, Light Speed, Hinson, RK/Excel, Ride Eng., Hammerhead, Straight Shot Air Filters, Bell Helmets, Hot Hedz Designs, Von Zipper, Total Image AutoSport, Kicker, ICW, Rocks Racing Services, Injectioneering, IMS Foot Pegs, Franklin Equipment, and Gabriel Logan