Freestone Raceway was the site of the second round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, on Saturday with an afternoon full of fiercely-contested competition. Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., narrowly swept the day’s motos to claim his second consecutive overall victory in the 450 Class. In the 250 Class, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac also recorded a pair of moto wins to grab his second career overall victory.
Stewart capitalized on strong starts in the 450 Class, working his way into the lead prior to the conclusion of the opening lap in each moto. Behind him, Red Bull KTM’s Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., asserted himself in both motos, setting his sights on passing Stewart for the lead multiple times.
Watch the battle between Stewart and Dungey towards the end of Moto 1
However, despite being faster than his rival throughout a significant portion of each moto, Dungey was unable to find a way to get past Stewart. The duo was separated by mere bike lengths throughout the combined 34 laps of racing across both motos, but the lead position never changed hands. Regardless, the two former champions provided captivating competition that kept the fans cheering all afternoon long.
Stewart Holds Off Dungey to Start Season With Back-to-Back Wins
Freestone Raceway was the site of the second round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, on Saturday with an afternoon full of fiercely-contested competition. Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., narrowly swept the day’s motos to claim his second consecutive overall victory in the 450 Class. In the 250 Class, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac also recorded a pair of moto wins to grab his second career overall victory.
Stewart capitalized on strong starts in the 450 Class, working his way into the lead prior to the conclusion of the opening lap in each moto. Behind him, Red Bull KTM’s Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., asserted himself in both motos, setting his sights on passing Stewart for the lead multiple times.
Watch Dungey make a run at Stewart late in Moto 2
However, despite being faster than his rival throughout a significant portion of each moto, Dungey was unable to find a way to get past Stewart. The duo was separated by mere bike lengths throughout the combined 34 laps of racing across both motos, but the lead position never changed hands. Regardless, the two former champions provided captivating competition that kept the fans cheering all afternoon long.
“I thought my day went good,” said Stewart, who’s 18th-career win ties him for fourth on the all-time wins list. “It was a tough one, but fun. I got two good starts, made quick passes, and set the tone with a good pace. Ryan rode really well, but I did my own (thing) out front. I knew he’d be there the whole time. I felt like we were even today and if he had gotten out front, he could have done the same thing.”
Dungey’s pair of runner-up finishes landed him second overall, while MotoConcepts Suzuki’s Mike Alessi, of Victorville, Calif., secured his second straight podium result in third (5-3).
“I got off to good starts in both motos,” said Dungey. “I tried to make a pass happen the whole moto, but there was maybe more I should have done. It just didn’t come together. James is a tough competitor and it’s good for the both of us to push each other to new limits.”
Stewart extended his championship lead to 14 points over Dungey.
2010 Lucas Oil Motocross Race Results from Freestone Raceway Texas
450 Class (Moto Finish)
1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki (1-1)
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (2-2)
3. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (5-3)
4. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (3-6)
5. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki (6-4)
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda (10-5)
7. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda (9-7)
8. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki (13-10)
9. Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha (4-25)
10. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha (8-17)
450 Class Championship Standings
1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 100
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 86
3. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 70
4. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 61
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 61
6. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 58
7. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki, 53
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki, 43
9. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 39
10. Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha, 39
Nex Race
The 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship continues next week, with round three from Thunder Valley MX Park in Lakewood, Colo., and the Toyota Thunder Valley National on Saturday, June 2.
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