Photography by Larry Lawrence
Having clinched the series title last week in Utah, Ryan Dungey could have been excused if he mailed in today’s ride in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship season finale in Crawfordsville, Indiana. But Dungey wanted to give his Red Bull KTM team and the fans their money’s worth so he went out and turned in a solid performance, scoring a 1-2 en route to an overall victory. It marked his seventh overall victory of the season. No one else had more than two.
Last year’s champ Ken Roczen ended the season on a high note, winning the final 450 moto of the season on his RCH Soaring Eagle Suzuki, giving him a positive feeling as he goes into the off season and planned back surgery. Roczen’s 3-1 earned him second overall. His solid result was important, giving him second in the final standings, edging out rival Justin Barcia, who finished fourth overall with a 7-3.
Third overall went to 450 series rookie Jason Anderson on the Husqvarna. It was his fourth podium of the season and ended what he called his best outdoor season ever. Anderson wrapped up the season sixth in the standings. He came up just three points behind Christophe Pourcel.
It was a perfect day of weather in sharp contrast to last year’s mud race. A large crowd was on hand to watch Pourcel lead the first lap of the first moto. Dungey took over on the second lap and gradually pulled away to a 22.288-second margin of victory. Jason Anderson held off a hard charging Roczen, who made mistakes early in the moto and ran outside the top 10. Pourcel and Justin Bogle rounded out the top five.
In the second moto it was Justin Barcia getting away with a quick start to take the early lead, but by lap four Roczen passed Barcia to take over. About halfway through the moto Dungey moved up to get by Barcia and the top three were set with Rocze crossing the line 6.256-seconds ahead of Dungey. Barcia was 32 seconds back. Broc Tickle and Trey Canard rounded out the top five.
“Anytime I come to the track I want to give my best,” Dungey said. “There really was no reason not to go for the win. I felt good, the bike was dialed in and I just relaxed and had good finishes. It’s a good way to finish off the season. Now I can relax ad recharge to get ready for next year.”
Earlier in the day Ricky Carmichael won the very well received Legends race over Robbie Reynard and Tim Ferry.
Results
Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
Bud Light Ironman National
Ironman Raceway – Crawfordsville, Indiana
August 22, 2015
Round 12 of 12
450 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (1-2)
2. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki (3-1)
3. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna (2-6)
4. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Yamaha (7-3)
5. Christophe Pourcel, Dade City, Fla., Husqvarna (4-7)
6. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda (8-5)
7. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Suzuki (6-9)
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki (15-4)
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki (10-8)
10. Phil Nicoletti, Cohocton, N.Y., Yamaha (11-10)
450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 547
2. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki, 447
3. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Yamaha, 441
4. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Suzuki, 360
5. Christophe Pourcel, France, Husqvarna, 323
6. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Husqvarna, 320
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Suzuki, 311
8. Phil Nicoletti, Cohocton, N.Y., Yamaha, 250
9. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Yamaha, 223
10. Fredrik Noren, Sweden, Honda, 206
