SX Preview
Seattle has plays host to the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series, an FIM World Championship, as the world’s fastest supercrossers head into Qwest Field. They are led by AMA Supercross class points leader Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey on an RM-Z450, who will officially clinch the championship at the end of the night.
Dungey extended his points lead of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto last weekend in St. Louis, extending his points lead to 36 when Villopoto crashed out on his KX450F while in the lead. As a rookie in the premier class, Dungey joins Jeremy McGrath, Kevin Windham, and Ryan Villopoto as riders to win St. Louis in both classes.
Ryan Dungey says: "I feel my fitness and my racing are where they need to be at right now, and I’m looking forward to Seattle. I want to line up on the gate just like the other 14 races so far this season: wanting a good start and aiming to get out front and win. I want to enjoy the rest of this season and have some fun racing."
Geico Powersports/Honda’s Kevin Windham, a 16-year veteran, earned back-to-back second place finishes in Houston and St. Louis on his CRF450R. Windham is fifth on the all-time podium list with 69 finishes on the box. Heading into Seattle, he’s fourth in the AMA Supercross class point standings, just two points behind Yamaha YZ450F-mounted Josh Hill.
Kevin Windham says: "So far it’s been a great season for me. I’ve shown I still have what it takes to mix it up out front and that really excites me and gives a boost to the entire Geico Powersports Honda team. The last two races I’ve finished in second place so this week I want to take it a step higher and battle for the win."
Monster Energy Kawasaki is preparing for a big race in Seattle, as Chad Reed and Nick Wey will be flying the familiar Green and Black for the team. For Reed it will be a stressful weekend as his wife approaches her due date for their first child. Wey has been called back to the Factory Kawasaki team. After riding for the team while Reed was injured, he now is riding while Ryan Villopoto who is out for the season after breaking his leg last week in St. Louis.
Nick Wey says: "You know this isn’t how I want to keep getting on a factory bike. I’m thankful for the opportunity, but Ryan is one of my good friends and I want him to get better as soon as he can."
At only his second race since returning from injury, Honda Red Bull Racing’s Andrew Short put his injury woes behind him to score his first podium of the season in St. Louis.
Andrew Short says: "To be up on the box at just my second race since returning from injury is a great achievement for me. I’m really pumped to put Honda Red Bull Racing on the podium for another week. My ankle felt one hundred times better, which made all the difference for me. I’m looking forward to heading west again to race the Seattle supercross this week. Davi (Millsaps) or I always seem to finish on the box in Seattle so it should be another good weekend for the team."
After a seven-race eastern swing, Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship racing will returns to action with Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer leading Honda’s Trey Canard by 14 points.
With two races left, Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class leader Jake Weimer looks to extend his 14 point lead over Canard this weekend and add another No. 1 plate to the door of Mitch Payton’s transporter
Jake Weimer says: "It’s been a long break from racing for me. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been out riding though. I’ve done a lot of outdoor testing and also have been on the supercross tracks making sure I can bring home the title."
Trey Canard will return to the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship on a Honda CRF250R. A former Lites class champion, Canard has two wins this season, San Francisco and Anaheim 2. During the seven-race break in the Western Regional series, Canard used the opportunity to gain some experience in the premier AMA Supercross class. He finished on the podium in five of the six races he contested.
Trey Canard says: "There are 14 points between (Jake) Weimer and myself with two races to go. My plan is to go out there and ride to my full potential and earn as many points as possible. I need to race two great rounds and have some luck on my side in order to win the title. It’s not going to be easy with Weimer riding so good this year, but if I can ride with the same level of confidence that I did while racing the CRF450R then I know I will be in there with a good chance."
Weimer’s teammate at Pro Circuit Kawasaki, Josh Hansen, is looking to earn his first podium of the season.
Josh Hansen says: "I’ve been working hard during the break. I know what I need to do and I know we can be on the podium these last few rounds."
Tickets are available in advance at the Qwest Field Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com. Practice and qualifying begin at 12:30 and racing begins at 7:00 p.m. Fans can also get into the Pits for FREE from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. when they recycle a Monster Energy Can at the stadium Pit Entrance (valid only with event ticket).
The AMA Supercross class will air on Speed TV Sunday, April 25 at 6 p.m. EDT. The Eastern regional AMA Supercross Lites class will air on SPEED Sunday, April 25 at 5 p.m. EDT.
