DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha A1 Race Report

Anaheim, CA - The 2011 AMA Supercross season kicked off with a sold out crowd under fair weather at the Anaheim stadium in Southern California this past weekend. DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha’s  west coast squad comprised of #35 Kyle Cunningham and a newcomer to professional Supercross #72 Nick Paluzzi took to the track in timed qualifying in great form. Turning the most heads early on was Cunningham who went out and set the 5^th fastest lap time. Following in contention was Paluzzi in 13^th who signed onto the team just two weeks before the opening round.

Moving into the night show, both riders were slated into the second heat race. Once the gate dropped and all the riders rounded the first turn, it was Paluzzi taking the best of starts in 2^nd followed by Cunningham who was mired in the rear of the field. In the six lap race, Paluzzi rode strong and smart, diligently holding down the second spot the entire way and made his first ever main event in the same amount of tries. Meanwhile, Cunningham started to make an upward assault; setting quick times allowed him to net 5^th in the end.

The main event got under way, and the starts by both teammates matched those of the earlier qualifying race, when the first lap was in the books Paluzzi held down 5th, and Cunningham sat 13^th. From there both DNA Shred Stix backed riders put their heads down, making runs to climb the results tally.  Three laps into the fifteen total lap race, Paluzzi solidly sat in the top pack of riders in 5^th, and Cunningham had clawed his way to 9^th. With the race closing in on the halfway mark, very clearly Kyle had made gains and was pressuring for the 5^th position, all the while Nick had fallen back a few positions to 9th due to his lack of seat time.  As the race came to a finish, unfortunately on lap ten Cunningham was picking himself up off the ground after crashing on a step on, step off section and  would go on to put his Yamaha in 13^th. Paluzzi had since kept up a steady pace, and went on to finish 9^th in his first ever Supercross. Undeniably showing true promise, both riders are set to tackle the race in Phoenix, AZ this coming Saturday.

Star Racing/NCY/Yamaha would like to thank our great sponsors for having us fully prepared. DNA Shred Stix, Yamaha Motor Corp, Scott Racing, DNA Energy, North County Yamaha, Easton ExP, FMF, Sunstar, Factory Effex, Dunlop, Enzo, Cosworth, N-Fab, Motion Pro, ODI Grips, RK Chains, Excel rims, Yamalube, GYTR, Ride Engineering, Twin Air, Lightspeed, ARC, Braking, Vortex Ignitions, Web Cams, ICW, JD Built, Renegade Fuels, Crank Works, Eibach, Met Tec.