High Point Notes and Stats
MORGANTOWN, W.V. - After two rounds of the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, four different winners have stood atop the 450 and 250 Class podiums. At last weekend's Flagstar Bank Freestone National, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey captured his first career 450 Class victory in dominating fashion while Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Christophe Pourcel asserted himself as the rider to beat in the 250 Class with his first win of the season. This weekend, the series heads east for the first time this summer for the renowned Rockstar Energy High Point National Presented by Centra Bank from High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pa.
450 Class
Monster Energy Kawasaki
Despite a pair of tough starts in both motos in Texas, Chad Reed overcame the intense heat that claimed several riders throughout the day to battle back with a pair of podium efforts and second overall to maintain his early season points lead. With one win already under his belt in 2010, Reed returns to the site of his first career premier class victory last season at High Point, hoping another triumphant performance can translate into more championship success.
"High Point was a good race for me last year," said Reed. "They made some subtle changes to the track and everything worked well. I hope they let it get rough this year. Rough tracks seem to separate the riders a little and I know that is what I prepare for every week."
Reed's teammate Nick Wey is looking to get into the top 10 at High Point. Wey improved from Hangtown to Freestone and he is hoping to continue to move forward.
"The team has really worked well with me to get the bike dialed in," said Wey. "High Point should be a good race for us and you can expect to see me in the top 10."
Rockstar/Makita Suzuki
After a tough season opener, Dungey bounced back in the best way possible at Freestone, going a perfect 1-1 on the day and moving into second place in the early season standings. Despite the heat and tough competition, Dungey drew from his tireless training and the power of his Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450. Dungey is now only 11 points out from the lead and has his bike dialed in for High Point. His performance in Texas served notice that he and the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team expect to contend for the 450 Class title and keep the title where it currently resides.
"Freestone was a team win," said Dungey. "We put in a lot of work in the last two weeks and pulled through in some tough conditions in Texas. High Point is up next and it's in the middle of an East Coast swing of tracks that will challenge all of us. Consistency will be a key."
"It was a complete turn around in Texas for Ryan," said Rockstar/Makita Suzuki Team Manager Roger DeCoster. "He did an awesome job, and showed his fitness. We got the bike sorted out from Hangtown, because we didn't have the settings right. I think we hit the settings right on in Texas and the bike performed great and Ryan rode a fantastic race. It was probably his best outdoor race. Now he can go into High Point with a lot more confidence because Hangtown was bad, but we turned it around and he was the strongest guy out there in really tough conditions."
Matt Moss battled the heat and a previous injury in Texas, but hopes to do well at High Point. Austin Stroupe is still out of action in the 250 class, but will be returning to racing soon.
Jagermeister KTM
After a strong start to the season in which he secured a runner-up finish and second moto win at Hangtown, Mike Alessi experienced a frustrating effort at Freestone. Misfortune struck the California rider in each moto, falling once during each 30-plus minute outings. In moto one, Alessi found difficulty working his way into the top 10, but bounced back early in moto two by grabbing the early lead only to hit the ground and fall to just outside the top five. He still sits third in the standings and will look to bounce back at High Point.
GEICO Powersports Honda
After turning heads in Hangtown, Brett Metcalfe returned with yet another stellar performance at Freestone. The rookie 450 Class competitor grabbed the holeshot in each moto and led early only to fall back in the late stages of each moto. Despite that, he still garnered a fourth place effort and sits fourth in the standings and will only improve his physical endurance as the season moves forward.
"I'm really enjoying racing the big bike class," said Metcalfe. "Stepping up to the CRF450R has so far been a fairly smooth transition and I'm really happy with the way things are going. The big bike is a lot of fun to ride and the GEICO Powersports Honda team has been really supportive, making the switch relatively straightforward so far."
Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGR
Josh Grant was quiet in Texas. After an overall strong effort at the season opener, he found himself mired in the field after a pair of tough starts at Freestone. However, characteristic of his relentless riding style, he put his head down and worked his way forward, concluding the day with a fifth place effort and securing fifth place in the standings.
After missing the first two rounds due to injury, Justin Brayton will make his 2010 debut this weekend at High Point.
Honda Red Bull Racing
After kicking off the season with a stellar podium effort, Davi Millsaps experienced a drastically different performance. With temperatures pushing the triple digits, Millsaps was one of several riders who suffered from the intense heat and he did the best he could to salvage as many points as possible.
"Last weekend in Texas was really tough," said Millsaps. "I'm looking forward to High Point this weekend because the weather should be a lot more forgiving. The really hot temperatures that we experienced at Freestone made racing incredibly exhausting work; not only for me but the entire Honda Red Bull Racing team."
Andrew Short was hoping for better results in his home race. From nearby Smithville, Short's team experienced issues prior to the start of the race, forcing him to miss the first moto. He returned for moto two and rode in the manner many expected, challenging at the front of the field throughout the moto. He and the team will look to bounce back and get on track at High Point.
"I like the High Point track," said Short. "I finished both motos in second spot last year and took second overall for the round aboard my Honda Red Bull Racing CRF450R, which was really good. The 2010 season hasn't quite started with me scoring the results that I am capable of, but I think I can turn it around this weekend at Mt. Morris."
Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda
After a promising start to the Freestone National in which he finished third, Ben Townley found himself on the ground after getting caught up in a first turn incident to start moto two. Remounting in 37th place, the New Zealand native rode exceptionally through the field, working his way up to an impressive 16th place finish to salvage eighth overall. He hopes his luck will change this weekend in Pennsylvania.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki
Tommy Hahn's return home proved to be the motivation he needed to bring home a solid effort and get his season on the right track. A stellar opening moto saw Hahn finish fourth overall, stalking the front portion of the field throughout the race along with Chad Reed and Ben Townley. In moto two, he suffered from a rough start but refused to settle, fighting his way to 12th and securing a solid sixth overall.
250 Class
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
To say Freestone was a memorable race for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team would be an understatement. While Pourcel walked away with the winner's trophy, he led the way to a Pro Circuit podium sweep with fellow MX2 World Champion Tyla Rattray and rookie Dean Wilson joining him with their respective career best results.
"I've won both first motos so far this season," said Pourcel. "I want to keep winning, but I need to do a better job in the second moto."
Rattray captured the moto two win, the second of his career, to grab the runner-up spot and hopes it will result in more consistent finishes at the front of the field.
"I need to run a better pace early in the motos," said Rattray. "I know I have the speed and conditioning to win and I just need to do it. Last week was good for me and I want to carry that momentum through the rest of the season."
For Wilson, the elation of his first career podium was mixed in with frustration of allowing his first career win to slip away. The defending Horizon Award Winner had firm control of the second moto and the overall, but made an error in judgment that caused him to slip into third.
"I've learned from my mistake and it's time to move on," said Wilson. "Reliving last week isn't going to help anything so I'm just focused on going out and giving my best at High Point."
The odd-man out at Freestone was Jake Weimer who knows High Point could be the turning point of his season.
"I've ridden well this year," said Weimer. "I just haven't gotten the starts I need. Last year at High Point I got the holeshot so I'm confident heading into this weekend."
GEICO Powersports Honda
Eli Tomac looked as if he was going to continue to take control of the 250 Class early on in Texas, but the rookie rider underestimated the heat and began to tire in the late stages of each moto after leading early. He secured a second place effort in moto one, but fell back dramatically in moto two to 11th. Despite that, he posted sixth overall and still sits second in the standings, ready to attack High Point this weekend.
"The hot weather just took it out of me last week in the second moto," said Tomac. "I rode well in the first race and got on the podium, and I was riding a solid race out front on my GEICO Powersports Honda CRF250R in the second, when the effects of heat exhaustion really set in. I can't remember a time when I've ever raced a moto in such hot temperatures for that long. But I've been back at it training hard this week and I'm ready for High Point."
Trey Canard was strong throughout the majority of the Freestone event and despite suffering from the Texas heat at the end of the day, dug deep to post impressive results and keep his hopes of claiming the 2010 title alive. After resting this week, he will return to High Point rejuvenated and eager to capture his first career victory at the track where he was just one lap away from doing so one year ago.
"Last year I finished the first High Point moto in second place and then injured my arm in moto two-ultimately ending my Motocross season," said Canard. "My goal for outdoors this year is to be consistent and challenge for a podium each week aboard my CRF250R. It's a really long season and you need to stay healthy if you want to be in the series point's race at the end of the year."
DNA Shred Stix/Star Yamaha
Broc Tickle's strong start to the 2010 season continued in Texas. After an eighth place effort to start the day, he came back strong in the final moto of the day, surging late in the moto to capture a career best second place finish to put him fourth overall. He currently holds fifth in the standings and is proving to be a threat each and every moto.
Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda
It was another solid weekend for Wil Hahn at Freestone. The Texas native was able to compete in front of family and friends and posted a pair of top-10 efforts in each moto to solidify seventh overall.
FMF/KTM
Tommy Searle was hoping his promising start to the 2010 season would carry over into Texas, however the British rider found difficulty in each moto, finishing outside the top 10 in both and posting 12th place overall.
Series Statistical Report
Rockstar Energy High Point National Presented by Centra Bank
High Point Raceway - Mt. Morris, Pa., June 12
The Rockstar Energy High Point National is the first of two rounds in the state of Pennsylvania. The series' penultimate round on September 4 will take place at Steel City Raceway in Delmont.
Saturday's race will mark the first of three live network television broadcasts airing on NBC.
Both of reigning champion Chad Reed's first career 250 and 450 Class victories came at High Point.
Ryan Dungey's first 450 Class victory at Freestone made him the premier division's 58th different winner in AMA Motocross history.
Dungey's 1-1 moto sweep was the first in the class since Unadilla last season.
Currently, the top five in the 450 Class standings is a representation of all five manufacturers
Reed (Kawasaki)
Dungey (Suzuki)
Alessi (KTM)
Metcalfe (Honda)
Grant (Yamaha)
The 250 Class race at Freestone featured four different leaders across both motos, making it one of the most competitive races in series history.
In addition to being a Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki sweep of the podium, the top three finishers at Freestone were all international competitors:
Pourcel (France)
Rattray (South Africa)
Wilson (Canada)
450 Class Stats
The first 450 Class race was held at High Point on May 29, 1977, with Tony Distefano winning on a Suzuki.
This will be the 34th time the gate will drop for the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship at High Point.
Wins by brands at High Point:
Honda: 11
Suzuki: 9
Yamaha: 8
Kawasaki: 5
Last win by brand at High Point:
Suzuki: 2009
Kawasaki: 2008
Honda: 2004
Yamaha: 2001
First time winners at High Point: Damon Bradshaw - 1990 (Yamaha), David Vuillemin - 2000 (Yamaha) and Chad Reed - 2009 (Suzuki).
Ricky Carmichael won six-consecutive races at High Point. Damon Bradshaw and Ricky Johnson are tied for second most all-time with four career wins.
Ricky Carmichael and Kent Howerton have both won three in a row here for Suzuki.
Brand sweeps (wins in both the 450 and 250 classes, same year) at High Point: Honda - Ricky Johnson and Micky Dymond (1986), Jeff Stanton and George Holland (1989), Stanton and Brian Swink (1991) and Damon Bradshaw and Scott Sheak (1997); Kawasaki - Jeff Emig and Kevin Windham (1996) and James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto (2008); and Yamaha - Bradshaw and Emig (1993).
450 Class - All-Time Winners at High Point
June 13, 2009 Chad Reed (Suzuki)
June 15, 2008 James Stewart (Kawasaki)
May 27, 2007 Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki)
May 28, 2006 Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki)
May 29, 2005 Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki)
May 30, 2004 Ricky Carmichael (Honda)
May 25, 2003 Ricky Carmichael (Honda)
May 26, 2002 Ricky Carmichael (Honda)
May 27, 2001 David Vuillemin (Yamaha)
May 28, 2000 David Vuillemin (Yamaha)
May 30, 1999 Greg Albertyn (Suzuki)
May 24, 1998 Ezra Lusk (Honda)
May 25, 1997 Damon Bradshaw (Honda)
May 26, 1996 Jeff Emig (Kawasaki)
May 28, 1995 Doug Henry (Yamaha)
May 29, 1994 Mike Kiedrowski (Kawasaki)
May 30, 1993 Damon Bradshaw (Yamaha)
May 24, 1992 Damon Bradshaw (Yamaha)
May 26, 1991 Jeff Stanton (Honda)
May 27, 1990 Damon Bradshaw (Yamaha)
May 28, 1989 Jeff Stanton (Honda)
May 29, 1988 Rick Johnson (Honda)
May 24, 1987 Ron Lechien (Kawasaki)
May 25, 1986 Rick Johnson (Honda)
May 26, 1985 Jeff Ward (Kawasaki)
May 27, 1984 Rick Johnson (Yamaha)
May 29, 1983 Bob Hannah (Honda)
May 30, 1982 Rick Johnson (Yamaha)
May 24, 1981 Kent Howerton (Suzuki)
May 25, 1980 Kent Howerton (Suzuki)
July 8, 1979 Kent Howerton (Suzuki)
July 29, 1978 Jim Ellis (Honda)
May 29, 1977 Tony Distefano (Suzuki)
2010 Stats
450 Class Point Standings - After 2 of 12 rounds
Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki, 87
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 76
Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 68
Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 66
Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 60
Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 55
Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda, 54
Kyle Regal, Kemp, Texas, Honda, 51
Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Suzuki, 43
Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 37
450 Class Overall Wins
Ryan Dungey - 1
Chad Reed - 1
450 Class Moto Wins
Ryan Dungey - 2
Mike Alessi - 1
Chad Reed - 1
450 Class Wins by Brand
Kawasaki - 1
Suzuki - 1
450 Class Laps Led
Ryan Dungey - 21
Mike Alessi - 19
Chad Reed - 16
Brett Metcalfe - 9
450 Class Holeshots
Brett Metcalfe - 2
Mike Alessi - 1
Chad Reed - 1
250 Class Stats
The first 250 Class race was held May 29th, 1983, with Mark Barnett winning on a Suzuki.
This will be the 28th consecutive season the gate will drop for a 250 Class race at High Point.
Wins by brands at High Point:
Kawasaki: 10
Honda: 8
Suzuki: 5
Yamaha: 2
KTM: 2
Last win by brand at High Point:
Kawasaki: 2009
Honda: 2007
KTM: 2005
Yamaha: 2002
Suzuki: 2001
First time winners at High Point: Mike Alessi - 2005 (KTM), Chad Reed- 2002 (Yamaha), Kelly Smith - 2000 (KTM), Scott Sheak - 1997 (Honda), Tim Ferry - 1995 (Suzuki), Brian Swink - 1991 (Honda) and Eric Kehoe - 1985 (Suzuki).
Kelly Smith gave KTM its first ever 250 Class overall win with his victory at High Point in 2000.
Ricky Carmichael was the last rider to win back-to-back races at High Point in 1998-99.
Mickey Dymond is the only other rider to win consecutive races at High Point (1986-87).
Jeff Ward, Jeff Emig, Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart and Chad Reed are the only riders to win in both the 450 and 250 classes at High Point.
250 Class - All-Time Winners at High Point
June 13, 2009 Christophe Pourcel (Kawasaki)
June 15, 2008 Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki)
May 27, 2007 Joshua Grant (Honda)
May 28, 2006 Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki)
May 29, 2005 Mike Alessi (KTM)
May 30, 2004 James Stewart (Kawasaki)
May 25, 2003 Michael Brown (Kawasaki)
May 26, 2002 Chad Reed (Yamaha)
May 27, 2001 Travis Pastrana (Suzuki)
May 28, 2000 Kelly Smith (KTM)
May 30, 1999 Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki)
May 24, 1998 Ricky Carmichael (Kawasaki)
May 25, 1997 Scott Sheak (Honda)
May 26, 1996 Kevin Windham (Kawasaki)
May 28, 1995 Tim Ferry (Suzuki)
May 29, 1994 Doug Henry (Honda)
May 30, 1993 Jeff Emig (Yamaha)
May 24, 1992 Mike LaRocco (Kawasaki)
May 26, 1991 Brian Swink (Honda)
May 27, 1990 Jean-Michel Bayle (Honda)
May 28, 1989 George Holland (Honda)
May 29, 1988 Guy Cooper (Suzuki)
May 24, 1987 Micky Dymond (Honda)
May 25, 1986 Micky Dymond (Honda)
May 26, 1985 Erik Kehoe (Suzuki)
May 27, 1984 Jeff Ward (Kawasaki)
May 29, 1983 Mark Barnett (Suzuki)
2010 Stats
250 Class Point Standings - After 2 of 12 rounds
Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 86
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 77
Dean Wilson, Canada, Kawasaki, 69
Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 68
Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 61
Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 58
Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 56
Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 54
Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 50
Max Anstie, England, Yamaha, 40
250 Class Overall Wins
Christophe Pourcel - 1
Eli Tomac - 1
250 Class Moto Wins
Christophe Pourcel - 2
Tyla Rattray - 1
Eli Tomac - 1
250 Class Wins by Brand
Honda - 1
Kawasaki - 1
250 Class Laps Led
Eli Tomac - 35
Christophe Pourcel - 16
Dean Wilson - 8
Wil Hahn - 2
Tommy Searle - 2
Tyla Rattray - 1
250 Class Holeshots
Eli Tomac - 2
Trey Canard - 1
Wil Hahn - 1
For tickets and fan and racing information on the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, log on to www.allisports.com.
For more information about the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, please contact media coordinator Brandon Short via email at brandon@mxsports.com or by telephone at (949) 365-5750.