Dodger Stadium Supercross Results
Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey and his Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z450 powered to a third-place podium finish last night in a thrilling main event during the third round of the 2011 AMA/FIM Supercross Championship at the historic inaugural Dodger Stadium Supercross in Los Angeles.
Suzuki teammate Brett Metcalfe rode a strong race, piloting his Suzuki RM-Z to another eighth-place finish in the 20-lap Supercross main event.
After qualifying fourth, Dungey and his Suzuki came out strong and dominated his heat race with a convincing win. In the main, Dungey grabbed a second-place start out of the gate just behind teammate Metcalfe and pulled into the lead by lap two.
His Suzuki RM-Z kept him in the front pack for the duration of one of the most exciting main events in recent years. Dungey ended up the Supercross main with a third-place podium finish.
Ryan Dungey (Rockstar Makita Suzuki Supercross) says: "I’m overall happy about the day,. Winning the heat race was definitely a step in the right direction. In the main, I got a good start on my RM-Z450 and we had to battle pretty much all race long – it was kind of cat and mouse.
"Overall, happy on the day; we just came up a little short. My Rockstar Makita Suzuki team and I accomplished a lot, so we can’t complain about anything. I’m definitely looking forward to Oakland and going to another new stadium. We’ll do some work this week and show up to Oakland ready to go."
Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe started his night with some tough luck in his heat race but fortunately was able to score the final qualifying spot for the Supercross main event. Despite an outside gate pick, Metcalfe and his Suzuki RM-Z450 blasted out of the gate and pulled the hole-shot just ahead of Dungey.
Metcalfe led the first lap and a half until a small mistake put him on the ground. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider remounted and rode a strong 18 laps to an eighth-place finish.
Brett Metcalfe (Rockstar Makita Suzuki Supercross) says: "It was a good day. My Rockstar Makita Suzuki team was able to make some changes to my Suzuki that made me much more comfortable on the bike this week, and that made me be able to get up to speed earlier in practice.
"I had a tough heat race but was able to climb back up to ninth so I didn’t have to go to the LCQ. In the main event, I just dropped the hammer and my RM-Z hooked up and I was able to get the hole-shot and led the first lap. I made a mistake on the second lap and went down and lost quite a few positions.
"Overall, I was happy with the ride; it was just that mistake that disappointed me. I’m really looking forward to Oakland – another new stadium. And the dirt should be a little looser and more tacky, which will suit my style a little better."
The 2011 Rockstar Makita Suzuki team’s next event is Saturday, January 29th, at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, CA. You can meet the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team riders at Contra Costa Powersports, 1651 Concord Avenue, in Concord, CA from 6 – 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28.
Los Angeles Supercross Class Results:
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. James Stewart
3. Ryan Dungey
4. Trey Canard
5. Justin Brayton
6. Kevin Windham
7. Chad Reed
8. Brett Metcalfe
9. Andrew Short
10. Kyle Chisholm
2011 Supercross Class Standings:
1. Ryan Villopoto – 72
2. James Stewart – 67
3. Ryan Dungey – 58
4. Trey Canard – 56
5. Chad Reed – 48
6. Brett Metcalfe – 39
7. Andrew Short – 37
8. Justin Brayton – 36
9. Kyle Chisholm – 33
10. Kevin Windham – 32
