Rookie Ryan Dungey made it two in a row Saturday evening at Angel Stadium, Anaheim, Calif., for round 3 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross. But it wasn’t an easy win like his performance at Phoenix; the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider of Belle Plaine, Minn., started the 20-lap race in the seventh position, and didn’t take the lead until lap 14.
Now Dungey has a 15-point lead over San Manuel Yamaha rider Josh Hill of Yoncalla, Ore., who finished at in second place at Anaheim II. Finishing third was Hill’s teammate and defending champion James Stewart of Haines City, Fla.
The $1500 SPIKE Holeshot award went to Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider Austin Stroupe of Lincolnton, N.C. Stewart also got a good start, trailing Stroupe from the gate, moving into the lead a few seconds later. Stewart remained in first until the sixth lap; by then Hill had passed Stroupe for second, and began challenging Stewart. Hill finally passed his teammate in the whoops for the lead.
By lap 12, Dungey passed Stewart, and then Hill on lap 14. Once in the lead, Dungey started pulling away from the pack, finishing three seconds ahead of the field.
“It was a fun race, and we all raced clean,” Dungey said. “I was able to see what lines were working out there, so I learned through the race. I tried to be patient out there tonight. Racing 20 laps is a long time, so you have to be smart.”
Stewart walked off the track in obvious pain. The Number 1 rider almost didn’t race due to pain from “the crash hear 'round the world” with his rival Chad Reed in Phoenix last week. Reed, the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider, broke his hand in the wreck and will be out for a few weeks.
Stewart was escorted off the track by his San Manuel team after his appearance on the podium; he didn’t comment until after his podium appearance.
“Ryan and Josh were riding awesome tonight, and I am happy to come out of here with a decent finish,” said Stewart. “I try my best, and that is all I can do. I always give it 100 percent.”
Also, Josh Grant didn't race; The Joe Gibbs Racing/Yamaha rider will be out for a few weeks due to an accident during practice for Anaheim I.
For complete Supercross results and standings, click here.
AMA Supercross Lites
In the 250 class, it was all Monster Energy/Pro Circuit rider Jake Weimer. The Rupert, Idaho, rider lead all 15 laps, taking his third straight win of the season.
After turn two, Weimer passed his teammate Josh Hansen, who won the SPIKE Holeshot Award. Hansen, of Elbert, Colo., finished in second, his best finish this season. GEICO Powersports Honda rider Trey Canard finished in third.
