Larry Lawrence | January 16, 2016
Photo by Steve Cox
Defending series champ Ryan Dungey said there aren’t many nights like the one he had in San Diego’s Petco Park Saturday night and he said he was going to savor it. Dungey took over the lead on the second lap of the 20-lap round two of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series and opened a gap and then simply controlled it to the checkered flag aboard his Red Bull KTM. Once in the lead Dungey was never threatened. Veteran Chad Reed made a late surge, but came up 1.479-second short in his bid. Last week’s winner Jason Anderson moved past rival Cole Seely to nail down third, but was later docked two positions for passing on a Red Cross flag, moving Seely to third.
Saturday night was the first of two visits by the series to Petco Park. It will roll back into town for San Diego II on Saturday, February 13.
“It doesn’t happen like that every time,” Dungey said of his commanding win, “but we’ve got to keep going and take it and make the most of every race. The track was very tacky in the heats and then by the main event the moisture started coming up and it started getting pretty hard and slippery. So I had to change my lines, but the Dunlop tires were hooking up pretty good. I got a good start, I think I was about fourth and I had to work my way up clean. I got into the lead and was able to put down good laps.
“It’s good to see Chad up there. Every year he’s there and he’s on it and it’s impressive. I hope when I’m that old,” before catching himself, “he’s not that old, don’t get me wrong. But hopefully when I get to that level I can still be as competitive.”
Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart was cleared by medical officials to race, but after practice he decided to call it a day, saying he didn’t feel completely comfortable on the bike.
The 20-lap 450SX Class Main Event started with Monster Energy/360fly/Chaparral/Yamaha Factory Racing’s Chad Reed edging out BTO Sports/WPS/KTM’s Justin Brayton for the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award, with Smartop MotoConcepts Racing’s Vince Friese in tow. Dungey placed himself just outside the top three, but was soon sitting third after Reed got shuffled back to fourth. Brayton and Friese battled for the lead on the opening lap, but on Lap 1 Dungey seized control of the Main Event and took over the top spot. Reed fought his way back into podium contention and was able to pass Brayton for second on Lap 2.
On the third lap, RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy Johns/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Ken Roczen threw his name into the mix, coming from a sixth-place start to grab third. However, Roczen crashed on the ensuing lap and dropped to 10th, allowing Brayton to once again run third briefly before giving way to Team Honda HRC’s Cole Seely. The top three stabilized for the majority of the race, with Dungey and Reed opening a sizable gap over the rest of the field. On Lap 15 the battle for third heated up between Seely and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson, last week’s winner and entering points leader. The two riders traded positions before Anderson took control of the spot on Lap 17 following a pass in which he and Seely made contact.
Reed kept Dungey honest throughout the entirety of the Main Event, but the defending champion took the win after leading all but one lap for his 23rd career 450SX Class win and his first ever victory in San Diego.
“It was a good night. I got off to decent start and as able to pick my way up to front,” said Dungey. “Chad [Reed] was on my heels the whole time, so I couldn’t make a big mistake, although I made a few little ones. It feels good to get the win and move back into the points lead. That’s the plan [coming into the season] and it’s working [so far].”
Reed finished in the runner-up spot for the 128th podium result of his career and his first since rejoining the Factory Yamaha effort for the 2016 season. It was his best result since winning in Atlanta last season, nine races ago.
Anderson was initially credited for third, but was later penalized by race officials for jumping during a red cross flag situation for a downed rider that requires riders to keep wheels on the ground. The two-position penalty dropped Anderson to fifth, ultimately giving third place to Seely.
“That was exciting the way it ended up [on the track],” said Anderson on the podium, prior to the penalty. “I had to dice it up with Cole [Seely] there at the end, but I’m happy to put the Husqvarna back on the podium. I was pretty far behind [off the start] and had to make some moves. It was a little chaotic out there, so I just need to do better and make things easier on myself next weekend.”
With Anderson’s penalty, Dungey’s advantage in the 450SX Class standings sits at six points over the Husqvarna rider. Seely is third, seven points behind Dungey and one point behind Anderson for second.
The series moves back to Angel Stadium for Anaheim II next Saturday, Jan. 23.
San Diego I 450SX Class Results
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha
- Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
- Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda
- Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
- Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM
450SX Class Championship Standings
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 47
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna – 41
- Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda – 40
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha – 37
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki – 36
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki – 31
- Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda – 28
- Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki – 22
- Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 22
- Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM – 22
