Finally, Supercross is Back! Hot

The 2010 AMA Supercross Series, a FIM World Championship, begins this Saturday, Jan. 9 at Angel’s Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.  There are 17 races scheduled, with the last race in May in Las Vegas.

Will it be another tight battle between Chad Reed and James Stewart? The No. 1 San Manuel L&M Yamaha rider Stewart took the 2009 title, and Reed currently holds four championships.

But this season Reed will be on a different ride. Reed, who rode for the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team last year, has signed with Monster Energy Kawasaki for AMA Supercross and Motocross this season.

Reed, riding the number 22 Kawasaki KX450F, is partnered with Ryan Villopoto; the number 2 rider finished last year’s championship in sixth place.

And the voice of Supercross will be different this year as a new announcer arrives on the scene. Steve Scott, a veteran announcer who worked for ESPN and announced Monster Jam events, will bring even more excitement for viewers.

For a list of riders and what numbers they’ll be wearing this season, click here.

According to Feld Motor Sports, last year at the Anaheim opener, JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha rookie Josh Grant, of Riverside, Calif., won the first AMA Supercross class race of his career before 42,309 fans. Stewart picked up the AMA Supercross class holeshot as Grant and Reed followed in third. Reed, the defending Monster Energy Supercross champion, quickly moved into second place and began his chase on Stewart.

On lap two, Reed passed Stewart, the 2007 AMA Supercross class champion. Stewart answered back on lap six as he regained the lead, but just a few turns later Reed and Stewart collided, causing each of them to crash. Upon reentering the race, Stewart was hit by GEICO Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham. Stewart was unable to restart his bike and return to the race, while Reed reentered the race in third place.

Grant took over the lead and rode to a flawless win. Honda Red Bull Racing’s Andrew Short finished second and Reed held on for third. This dramatic start to the season set the stage for one of the greatest seasons in Monster Energy Supercross history.

Catch all the action on SPEED at 10 p.m. EST.