Red Bull/KTM Race Report: Dallas
DALLAS, Tex. – Red Bull/KTM Factory Team rider Ryan Dungey impressed the Texas crowd during the seventh round of the AMA Supercross Series held at the Cowboy Stadium when he came from a poor start to finish 2nd overall for the night.
Dungey had a rough start to the day when he suffered a crash in the first lap of his heat. A rider swapped in front of Dungey forcing him to jump to the other side which knocked him off balance in the middle of the pack. Luckily Dungey was able to avoid colliding with any other riders and quickly picked his bike up to get back in the action. He restarted in last position and worked the entire eight laps passing forward to move into qualifying position. With a lap to go he moved into 9th place and crossed the checkers in the final transfer spot.
Dungey had his work cut out for him again in the main event. This time he had a great jump off the gate but got pushed back in the first corner and came into the first rhythm section in 14th place. He quickly moved into the top ten in the first lap and continued to pick up positions from there. On lap thirteen he made the pass against Windham for 5th and then passed Mike Alessi for 4th two laps later. With only five laps to go he started to reel in the 3rd place ride of Jake Weimer. With two laps to go, Dungey was on Weimer’s rear wheel. He made the pass once after a rhythm section but Weimer was able to get him back. On the final lap, Dungey charged again and this time made the pass stick to takeover 2nd position. He crossed the finish line a few turns later to take home 2nd for the night and move up to 2nd in the overall point standings.
“I felt really good tonight,” remarked Dungey. “Our team made some great improvements to the bike over the last week and I felt very comfortable all day. I’m glad I was able to make the pass on the final lap. I am happy with my finish tonight and am grateful to the Red Bull/KTM Team for all their hard work.”
Next Round: Atlanta Supercross – February 25, 2012
Overall Results –
- Ryan Villopoto
- Ryan Dungey – KTM
- Jake Weimer
- Mike Alessi
- Josh Hansen
- James Stewart
- Kevin Windham
- Brett Metcalfe
- Justin Brayton
10. Kyle Chisholm
11. Broc Tickle
12. Nick Wey
13. Kyle Partridge
14. Bobby Kiniry
15. Davi Millsaps
16. Matt Goerke
17. Gavin Faith
18. Nico Izzi
19. Jeff Alessi
20. Chad Reed
Overall Point Standings –
- Ryan Villopoto – 158
- Ryan Dungey – 145
- Chad Reed – 128
The Red Bull/KTM ride of Ken Roczen landed on the podium in his first outing this season at the opening round of the AMA East Lites Supercross Series at the Cowboy Stadium.
Roczen, who has only been back on the bike for two weeks after recovering from a pre-season wrist injury, impressed fans during the morning practice sessions earning the 2nd fastest lap time. He continued to turn heads when he lined up for the evening program in the first heat and came around the first corner in 2nd position. Within the first few corners he leaped ahead of Blake Baggett to move into the lead. He quickly pulled ahead and went on to lead every lap of the race to take the first heat win of the season.
“I felt so comfortable on the track,” remarked Roczen. “My bike was working awesome and the track was so much fun to ride. I am really looking forward to the main event.”
In the main event Roczen started inside the top ten and quickly moved toward the top five. He crossed the line in 6th place after lap one and had moved up to 4th by the second lap. He remained in 4th position behind Justin Bogle through the tenth lap when he was finally able to make the pass stick on Bogle and take over the final podium position. He rode strong the final few laps and held on to take his first podium of the season.
“It’s a great feeling to land on the podium at the first round,” remarked Roczen. “I took a little long to make my passes tonight but overall I am happy to be up here and earn some good points toward the championship.”
Next Round: Atlanta, GA – February 25, 2012
Overall Results SX Lites –
- Justin Barcia
- Darryn Durham
- Ken Roczen – KTM
- Blake Wharton
- Phil Nicoletti
- Malcolm Stewart – KTM
- Jake Canada
- PJ Larsen – KTM
- Cole Thompson
- Lance Vincent – KTM
- Alex Martin
- Hunter Hewitt
- Austin Politelli
- Justin Bogle
- Blake Baggett
- Les Smith – KTM
- Angelo Pellegrini
- Sean Hackley – KTM
- Matthew Lemoine
- Kyle Cunningham
Overall Point Standings –
- Justin Barcia – 25
- Darryn Durham – 22
- Ken Roczen – 20