Another afternoon of Monster Energy AMA Supercross has come and gone here in Oakland, and as usual, some familiar names have risen to the top.
The first Lites A qualifier was pretty uneventful. Halfway through the Lites session, Eli Tomac turned a 56.818, a time that only Tomac himself would best. Tomac looked good, and as the end of the session drew near, Tomac started throwing out some big whips. He finished the session on top with a 55.569, followed by Zach Osborne (55.983), Marvin Musquin (56.056), Dean Wilson (56.331), Ryan Sipes (56.577), Nico Izzi (56.684), Cole Seely (56.910) and Tyla Rattray (57.293).
When the Lites A riders took to the dirt for their second qualifier, it looked like we were going to see a repeat of the first session. Tomac quickly laid down the fastest lap, with Osborne setting the second fastest time. Then, Musquin turned up the heat with a 55.303, prompting Tomac to respond with a 55.209. Not to be outdone, Musquin busted out a smoking fast 54.727, which would end up being the fastest lap of the session. Osborne was second fastest with a 54.821, then Tomac (54.923), Wilson (55.292), Seely (55.614), Sipes (55.758), Jason Anderson (55.811) and Izzi (55.961). Interestingly enough, the fastest two Lites riders of qualifying haven’t won a main event yet this year.
Tomac was third fastest overall
Photo: Corndog
In the 450 ranks, Ryan Villopoto was fast early on with a 55.706, but seven laps into the session James Stewart took over with a 55.459. Davi Millsaps held down the second fastest time for a while, but dropped several spots at the end of the qualifier. Stewart’s 55.459 was fastest, followed by Ryan Villopoto (55.706), Ryan Dungey (56.012), Davi Millsaps (56.043), Chad Reed (56.060), Justin Brayton (56.134), Jake Weimer (56.467), Kevin Windham (56.487), Brett Metcalfe (56.850), Andrew Short (56.902) and Kyle Chisholm (56.990). Check out the times between Dungey and Chisholm, they’re all in the 56-second range.
The second qualifier saw RV dominate the leader board. Stewart was close behind for the first part of the session, but when Villopoto’s lap times plummeted into the low 54s, Stewart was unable to follow. Stewart pulled off at one point to speak briefly with his mechanic, but made no adjustments to his bike. When it was over, Villopoto’s 54.177 was the fastest lap, then Dungey (54.518), Stewart (54.899), Windham (54.921), Millsaps (55.079), and Reed (55.308).
So far, RV is the fastest man in Oakland
Photo: Corndog
The track is pretty basic without much to separate the top guys from one another, and the dirt is looking amazing; nice and tacky without any mud or dust. The combination of these two factors should create some great head-to-head racing and aggressive passing. Be sure to stay tuned to Racer X Online, and follow us on Twitter, @racerxonline, for live updates from tonight’s race.
Photo: Corndog
