Practice is over here in Angel Stadium and if the main events play out like the qualifying sessions did, we could see a pair of orange winner’s circles again.
In the first 250 qualifier Zach Osborne was fastest right off the bat, but several laps in the session was red flagged after the sound of a panic rev echoed through the stadium. The rider who had gone down was Darryn Durham, and he lay motionless face down in the dirt for quite a while as the Asterisk Medical Crew attended to him. After a good ten minutes he was removed from the stadium wearing a neck brace on a stretcher in the back of the Asterisk Medical Mule. No word yet on his condition, but be sure that we’ll update you as soon as we find out.
Durham didn't move from this position for a good ten minutes.
Lissimore photo
The temperature at the time was hot enough that mechanics were fanning their riders with pit boards as they waited for practice to resume. When it did, Wilson was fastest, only to see Osborne nab the fastest time on his final lap.
In the second qualifier Wilson was fastest right away, but Jason Anderson took over the top spot after Wilson got together with Dakota Tedder on a triple and went down. Wilson popped up and seemed fine, but Tedder was slower in getting up, requiring some attention from medical personnel. Wilson would retake the top spot with a 52.014, but Anderson would sneak into the top spot on the final lap with a remarkable 51.852.
Wilson wasn't the fastest in practice, but he still threw down some heaters.
Cudby photo
When the 450SX riders rolled out, the number seven of James Stewart shot to the top of the board. Stewart would better his own time shortly after, but ended up pulling off early, reportedly due to a flat tire. The fastest lap of the session came near the end, a 52.712 from Ken Roczen.
Roczen had it going on in practice.
Cudby photo
Ryan Villopoto was initially fastest in the second 450SX qualifier, but Roczen lurked close behind. About halfway through the German turned a 51.232, which held up as the fastest time, although Villopoto (51.306) and James Stewart (51.310) turned laps that were nearly as fast. Justin Brayton threw down a heater on his final lap to be the fourth and final 450SX rider to turn a lap under 52 seconds. Josh Grant sat this practice out, but not because he’s out for good. His time from the first session was fast enough and he wanted to preserve his shoulder for the night program.
For a complete list of combined qualifying times, go here. For updates on tonight’s action, be sure to check Racer X Online frequently and stay tuned to our twitter (@racerxonline) feed.