Honda Vies For Supercross Top Spots
Honda newcomer TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed is six points out of the Supercross Championship lead with two rounds remaining. With American Honda Racing’s Trey Canard and Josh Grant both sidelined with injuries, the American Honda team is lending its full support to the TwoTwo Motorsports team as Reed vies for his first title on a Honda CRF450R.
In the Lites championships, CRF250R racers GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac are also preparing to add to Honda’s win record. Barcia has a 20-point lead in the Supercross Lites East Championship with one round remaining, while Tomac is only seven points out of the championship lead in the Supercross Lites West Championship with two rounds remaining.
“The TwoTwo Motorsports team has done an awesome job all season long,” said American Honda Racing Team Manager Erik Kehoe. “Chad has done a great job putting together a highly talented team to support his 2011 racing efforts. We would love to see Chad win the Supercross title in his first season on a Honda. It’s also great to see the GEICO Honda team having such a strong season. Justin and Eli have also had tremendous success this year. We wish all these guys good luck in the final rounds.”
In addition to supporting Honda’s Supercross efforts, the American Honda Racing team’s preparations for the upcoming Motocross Championship are well underway. Both Canard and Grant are focused on making returns to racing early in the Motocross season. Additionally, fan-favorite and Honda racing veteran Kevin Windham will be racing the first few outdoor Motocross Nationals on the American Honda Racing team until Canard and Grant return to the outdoor National circuit. Windham will make his debut at the season-opener Hangtown National alongside American Honda Racing teammate Ashley Fiolek, who will be contesting the Women’s Motocross Association (WMA) Championship.
“The outdoor Nationals are something special,” said Windham. “The speed is not something you find in Supercross, and I’m pumped to be able to race for American Honda. The bike is good and I’m ready. We’ll just have to see what happens.”
“Getting hurt so late in the Supercross season was a bitter pill to swallow,” said Canard. “Especially since I was among the top contenders for the Supercross title. However, I’m doing what I need to do in order to make a full recovery and return to racing early in the Motocross Championship.”
Grant too is on target to make his return early in the season. “Since undergoing knee surgery a few months back, I’ve been receiving therapy on my knee on a daily basis,” explains Grant. “I’ve worked intensely with my doctor and healed fast. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming Motocross season and excited to rejoin the American Honda Racing team as soon as possible.”
Few Supercross championships in history have headed to such an exciting conclusion, so don’t miss the action and make sure to stop by the American Honda Racing transporter located in the paddock.
