For the second Supercross event in a row, James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto failed to find the top of the podium. Instead, on a rainy Saturday night in San Diego, Chad Reed captured his first win of the season. The TwoTwo Motorsports rider bested 2010 champion Ryan Dungey and James Stewart for the win.
Reed went winless in 2010, due to an injury, but returned to his faithful San Diego track to claim his first victory since 2009. Reed is now the rider with the most wins in San Diego. Reed took his 6th San Diego win last night at Qualcomm stadium, surpassing the record set by Jeremy McGrath.
"This place is just, wow," Reed said. "I've pulled some wins out of here when I needed them."
Last night's victory was Reed's 39th of his career.
The opening lap of the San Diego Supercross was a wet one, and a couple of riders put their faces in the mud by the end of the first lap. Ryan Villipoto took a fall on lap one, as well as Davi Millsaps. Reed took the holeshot, but was hotly pursued by last week's winner, Trey Canard. Reed got a little breathing room, however, as Canard slipped in the mud on lap six.
Reed started to pull away with the lead, as Stewart, Dungey, and Canard battled for the remaining spots on the podium. The wet track made for an exciting event, but in the end it was Dungey and Stewart who were able to climb the steps.
Ryan Villopoto, the season's point leader, had constant trouble around the track. But after dropping down to dead last, he was able to make a charge toward the front, and claimed 7th for the night. Villopoto's late efforts enabled him to keep the season lead. Villopoto currently leads Stewart by three points in the 2011 Supercross season.
Reed's victory moves him into a tie for third place with Canard, and Dungey, who still hasn't found the top of the podium, sits in 5th plcae, 23 points behind the season leader.
2011 AMA Supercross - San Diego Results
- Chad Reed (Hon)
- Ryan Dungey (Suz)
- James Stewart (Yam)
- Trey Canard (Hon)
- Davi Millsaps (Yam)
- Andrew Short (KTM)
- Ryan Villopoto (Kaw)
- Brett Metcalfe (Suz)
- Mike Alessi (KTM)
- Justin Brayton (Yam)
