Star Racing Supercross Round 4 Race Report
Oakland, CA. - AMA Supercross rolled up the coast of California during the week to a partially rain free Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and did battle before 44,394 fans. DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha featuring #35 Kyle Cunningham and #72 Nick Paluzzi we're both feeling fresh, and in Timed Qualifying it showed when Cunningham went out and nailed down the 2nd fastest time, and following behind was Paluzzi netting 18th.
Heat #1 had both Yamaha pilots lined up on the gate; Cunningham managed to get a great start seeing him hold down 5th position coming around the awkward first turn. Sitting upfront for Cunningham was short lasted, as he had moved into 3rd and began applying pressure to the leaders Kyle lost the front wheel in the sand section and was forced rejoin the race in a mid pack position. Paluzzi got pinched off coming into turn one, setting the scene for both teammates to race their way through the field. Knowing the pressure was on to qualify directly into the main event, Cunningham and Paluzzi battled hard, and avoided making mistakes. In doing so, they were able to bounce back to respectable 6th and 7th place finishes.
The Main Event headed out for a grueling fifteen laps, with Cunningham and Paluzzi not getting the starts they needed to contend for the podium. Unfortunately Cunningham once again was a victim of hard luck when a falling competitor’s bike tangled inside of his rear wheel, forced to stop and pull the bike out in turn one, the determined Texan was far from throwing in the towel as he held down 19th. With both teammates deep in the field, Paluzzi 14th and Cunningham putting in some of the fastest laps who had made his way to 11th on lap eight. This night would be highlighted by the charge of Cunningham, who solidified his potential by racing to 7th at races end and we should see him right in tow with the leaders here really soon. Paluzzi would go on to have a race of gaining experience, and at the checkers he would take home 13th for the night.
Star Racing is proudly supported by:
DNA Shred Stix, Yamaha Motor Corp, Scott Sports, N-Fab, FMF, Cosworth, North County Yamaha, DNA Energy Drink, GYTR, Factory Effex, Dunlop, Easton EXP, Enzo, Renegade Fuels, Sunstar, Motion Pro, ARC, ODI Grips, RK Chains, Excel A60 rims, Yamalube, Ride Engineering, Twin Air, LightSpeed, Braking, Vortex Ignitions, ICW, JD Built, Crank Works, Eibach, Met Tec, Tammer MX