L.A. SX Heat Race Report
Max Anstie is looking to make a mark in his brief time here back in the U.S, so when he gets the holeshot in this one, he does not want to give it back. Ryan Sipes is there providing pressure, and they battle hard with block pass attempts all over. They bump and bang until Sipes finally parks him, sending Anstie to the back. Dean Wilson, Zach Osborne and Cole Seely are right behind Sipes, and it's a great battle. Wilson tries a late block pass on the last lap, but comes up short. Sipes wins. That's a little bit better than last week, when Sipes missed the main event.
Lites Heat 2:
Eli Tomac has struggled to get consistent starts this year, but he gets the holeshot in this one. He drifts just wide enough, though, for Martin Davalos to get inside of him and make a pass in the first bowl turn. Then Tomac tries EVERYTHING to get back around. His numerous pass attempts are held at bay by Davalos, who holds on to win the heat. All Davalos does is win heat races! Meanwhile it's pretty clear from these heat races that this track doesn’t allow passing. It will be full contact in the main.
SX Heat 1:
Mike Alessi gets the start but a James Stewart finally has a good start, too, and he makes the move for the lead. Then Davi Millsaps blazes past Alessi in the whoops and runs into the back of Stewart, which slows Millsaps, allowing Alessi and Short to get past. Stewart maintains the lead, but Alessi actually keeps it pretty close, finishing just 1.2 seconds behind Stewart. Chad Reed fell in this one but came back to qualify.
SX Heat 2:
It's Kawboys Jake Weimer and Ryan Villopoto battling for the lead off the start, Villopoto secures it, then Canard gets past Weimer for second. Soon Weimer is back on Canard and they battle hard, Weimer makes the pass, while RV checks out. Ryan Dungey got a bad start here but qualifies for themain.
