AMA MX
After an action-packed season that was lacking the full presence of both legendary racers James Stewart and Chad Reed, the 2010 AMA Motocross Championship wraps up this weekend at Pala Raceway in San Diego, Calif.
The track is the newest venue in AMA Motocross since the addition of Glen Helen back in 1993, making the first motocross national to occur in San Diego County in 28 years.
The 450 Class already has its champion, Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider Ryan Dungey clenching the championship two rounds earlier at the Southwick MX in Massachusetts. Dungey joined MX history, being the second rider besides Jeremy McGrath to achieve both a Supercross and Motocross title in a rookie year.
During last weekend’s meeting at Steel City in Pennsylvania, the 17-year veteran Kevin Windham took the overall win, taking victory in Moto1, and second in Moto2. The Honda Red Bull Racing rider Windham put an end to Dungey’s nine-race winning streak, but the 2010 Champ came back to win Moto2.
Geico Powersports Honda rider was in search of his first-career win during his rookie season, but settled for a 2-3 finish at Steel City. He currently has 356 points, five ahead of Honda Red Bull Racing’s Andrew Short, creating an intense battle for second-place. A ways back in fourth is KTM rider Mike Alessi with 301.
As the 450 class battles for the final second spot in the championship, the 250 class championship will crown the champion after Pala. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Christophe Pourcel leads the championship with 443 points, but only seven points behind is Geico Powersports Honda rider Trey Canard.
Canard dominated last week at Steel City, sweeping both motos. But Pourcel kept himself in the lead with double second-place finishes. Pourcel only needs a pair of seconds again to win the championship, regardless if Canard sweeps Pala.
The eight-race Women’s Motocross Championship also concludes this weekend at Pala, and DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha rider Jessica Patterson may have her sixth women’s MX title. Twenty-two points separate her from Honda Red Bull Racing rider Ashley Fiolek, who won moto1 at Steel City last week. Patterson took the second Moto.
AMA Motocross TV Schedule:
SPEED will broadcast live coverage of the 450 Class at 7 p.m. (EST), followed by the 250 Class at 8 p.m.
AMA Motocross Standings (after 11 of 12 rounds)
450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 493
2. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 356
3. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 351
4. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 301
5. Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda, 291
6. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 260
7. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha, 238
8. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha, 211
9. Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki, 204
10. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Kawasaki, 201
11. Kyle Regal, Kemp, Texas, Honda, 201
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 443
2. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 436
3. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 402
4. Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki, 387
5. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 317
6. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 296
7. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 285
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 259
9. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Yamaha, 229
10. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 195
WMX Class Championship Standings (After 7 of 8 Rounds)
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha, 335
2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 313
3. Tarah Gieger, Winter Gardens, Fla., Honda, 261
4. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha, 217
5. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki, 212
6. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Yamaha, 207
7. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., KTM, 196
8. Alexah Pearson, Rocklin, Calif., Yamaha, 172
9. Tatum Sik, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha, 152
10. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., Yamaha, 136
