Reed Makes It Two-in-a-Row After Dungey Experiences Heartbreak at Freestone Raceway

Reed Makes It Two-in-a-Row After Dungey Experiences Heartbreak at Freestone Raceway
Tyla Rattray Races to 250 Class Victory

WORTHAM, Texas (May 28, 2011) - The second round of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship took place Saturday afternoon at the Rockstar Energy Freestone National from Freestone Raceway. Coming off an opening-round win one week ago, TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing's Chad Reed, of Australia, swept the day's motos to grab his second straight win of the season and open up an early advantage in the 450 Class standings. In the 250 Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Tyla Rattray, of South Africa, took the overall win.

Reed picked up where he left off last weekend in Hangtown, dominating the first moto of the day and setting himself up for the overall victory. However, in Moto 2, Reed found himself behind the rider with whom he shared the 450 Class points lead heading into Texas, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn. Reed paced his rival throughout the early portion of the moto, before crashing. Reed remounted in second place, but lost considerable ground.

From there, Dungey, who finished second in the opening moto, appeared to be en route to his first overall victory of the season by winning the final moto. With just two laps remaining, Dungey suddenly began to slow and eventually came to a complete stop after his bike quit running. With the defending champion sitting on the side of the track, Reed re-assumed the lead and carried it to the end to secure the victory.

"The first moto was awesome," said Reed. "You had to be patient. I thought Dungey and I would battle, but I got good lines and pulled away. The second moto was almost the same thing. He put down good laps. I was trying to find my lines and then crashed. I put in some strong laps and was on the ragged edge, so I backed it down because I didn't think it was worth it. Then, unfortunately, he had his problems. It's a bummer for him. You don't want to win like that, but sometimes you've got to be in the right place at the right time. We had the pace to win today, but I almost threw it away with that crash."

Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGR's Davi Millsaps, of Murrieta, Calif., finished second (4-2) while Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., rounded out the podium in third (3-5). Dungey finished eighth (2-25).

"I got off to a good start and then got the lead," said Dungey. "I was putting in some good laps and then Chad (Reed) made a mistake. I was able to capitalize on that and then pull away a little bit more. I was just trying to maintain my lead and get the overall, but I guess there were some other things that happened. It is what it is. We just had a little bit of a problem. We aren't sure what it is, but we've got a great team here and we'll get to the bottom of it. It's a long season and we still have a lot of racing left and that's something to be thankful for. We'll just put our head down and keep going."

After sweeping the 250 Class podium one week ago at Hangtown, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team had another strong day at Freestone. Rattray kicked off the day with a second-place finish in the first moto behind teammate Dean Wilson, of Scotland. In Moto 2, the South African took charge, bypassing GEICO Honda's Justin Barcia, of Ochlocknee, Ga., for the lead late in the race to grab the checkered flag and solidify his third-career overall win.

"The track was really rough and it was also hot and windy," said Rattray. "I feel like my conditioning pushed me to the front. I've been working hard (off the track). This is the best I've ever felt, and the most physically fit I've been in my entire racing career. The weather didn't make it easy on any of us. I'm looking forward to a weekend off and getting ready for the next round."

Wilson found himself in contention for the overall early in Moto 2, running second to Barcia. However, the duo came together, forcing Wilson to the ground and dropping him to seventh. He rebounded to finish third in the moto, giving him back-to-back runner-ups overall to start the season. DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha's Kyle Cunningham, of Aledo, Texas, grabbed the final podium spot in third (3-4), in front of his hometown crowd.

The Motorcylce-Superstore.com Women's Motocross Championship was also in action at Freestone, for its second round of the 2011 season. American Honda's Ashley Fiolek, of St. Augustine, Fla., took advantage of DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha rider Jessica Patterson's misfortunes to claim the overall win (1-2). Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda's Tarah Gieger, of Puerto Rico, finished second (3-3), while MotoConcepts Yamaha's Mariana Balbi, of Brazil, finished third (2-4).

The 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship takes a weekend off, before returning to action on Saturday, June 11, with the Rockstar Energy High Point National. Round 3 of the season takes place at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pa.

Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Rockstar Energy Freestone National
Freestone Raceway - Wortham, Texas
May 28, 2011
Round 2 of 12

450 Class (Moto Finish)

  1. Chad Reed, Australia, Honda (1-1)
  2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha (4-2)
  3. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (3-5)
  4. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Suzuki (9-3)
  5. Ricky Dietrich, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha (8-4)
  6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (6-7)
  7. Christian Craig, Hemet, Calif., Honda (5-8)
  8. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (2-25)
  9. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM (15-6)
  10. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha (10-11)

450 Class Championship Standings

  1. Chad Reed, Australia, Honda - 97
  2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki - 76
  3. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha - 72
  4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki - 69
  5. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Suzuki - 64
  6. Ricky Dietrich, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha - 53
  7. Christian Craig, Hemet, Calif., Honda - 47
  8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda - 45
  9. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki - 44
  10. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha - 40

250 Class (Moto Finish)

  1. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki (2-1)
  2. Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki (1-3)
  3. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha (3-4)
  4. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda (9-2)
  5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (5-6)
  6. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Suzuki (10-7)
  7. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Kawasaki (8-11)
  8. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda (14-8)
  9. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (7-16)
  10. Gannon Audette, Cain, Ga., Yamaha (12-12)

250 Class Championship Standings

  1. Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki - 90
  2. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki - 85
  3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda - 69
  4. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki - 66
  5. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha - 64
  6. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda - 52
  7. Gareth Swanepoel, South Africa, Yamaha - 46
  8. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Suzuki - 44
  9. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda - 42
  10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki - 38

WMX Class (Moto Finish)

  1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (1-2)
  2. Tarah Gieger, Puerto Rico., Honda (3-3)
  3. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Yamaha (2-4)
  4. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (13-1)
  5. Tatum Sik, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha (6-5)
  6. Marissa Markelon, Winchester, Calif., Yamaha (5-8)
  7. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki (4-11)
  8. Alexah Pearson, Rocklin, Calif., KTM (8-7)
  9. Kasie Creson, Byron, Calif., Honda (9-9)
  10. Lindsey Palmer, Conifer, Colo., Honda (10-10)

WMX Class Standings

  1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda - 91
  2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha - 83
  3. Tarah Gieger, Puerto Rico., Honda - 72
  4. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Yamaha - 66
  5. Tatum Sik, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha - 59
  6. Kasie Creson, Byron, Calif., Honda - 48
  7. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., KTM - 48
  8. Marissa Markelon, Winchester, Calif., Yamaha - 47
  9. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki - 43
  10. Alexah Pearson, Rocklin, Calif., KTM - 42

Tickets for the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship are on sale at www.allisports.com, Special discounts and incentives are available for advance ticket purchasers.

For more information on the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, please log on to www.allisports.com/motocross.

For media information about the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, please contact Media Manager Brandon Short via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com or by phone at 949-365-5750.

MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world's most prestigious motocross series - the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The industry leader in off road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.

Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports
Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, is a global business that encompasses national and international action sports tours and events, multimedia production, and a consumer facing lifestyle brand. The Alliance includes: the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the Dew Tour, Winter Dew Tour, China Invitational, King of Wake series, and the Gatorade Free Flow Tour. Alli TV Productions creates original content, produces and presents content with partners, and distributes Alli content through a variety of channels. Alli is owned by NBC Sports and MTV Networks and represents a network of athletes, fans, brands and properties. Its mission is to facilitate the momentous growth of action sports, through competition and lifestyle, for a new generation of fans and athletes. The Alli properties are home to more than 550,000 spectators each year and broadcasts more than 150 hours of original content in 100 countries and 280 million homes worldwide. Visit www.allisports.com.

Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving performance additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry. Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the "Official Motor Oil of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship." Visit www.LucasOil.com.

AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing sanctioning body in the United States, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization sanctions professional motorcycle racing competition, which includes, AMA Pro Motocross

Dusty Brandel

President of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association, Inc. Worked with Mike Hollander since Tapsis, Compuserve, etc. and has posted to the website since the beginning. First Female photo-journalist to be given a garage and pit pass for the NASCAR garage, 1972 at Ontario Motor Speedway. One of first seven female writers, photographers given access to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway garage and pits in 1971. Past President of Greater Los Angeles Press Club, 1992-96, and first female editor of the 8-Ball publication for the Press Club

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Volume 2011, Issue 5, Posted 1:56 PM, 05.29.2011