Race Notes and Weekend Preview for Monster Energy National at Unadilla on July 19-20
NEW BERLIN, N.Y. (July 18, 2008)
With the second half of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF underway, the series makes its lone stop to New York the weekend of July 19-20 with the Monster Energy National at Unadilla Presented by Renegade Haulers.
Last weekend at Budds Creek, AMA Motocross class points leader, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart, put together his most dominating performance of the season en route to achieving his 13th and 14th consecutive moto wins and seventh overall victory. Unadilla has not been kind to Stewart since his move up to the premier class, but he’s going into this weekend’s race with a positive outlook.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart
“I’m going into Unadilla with a positive attitude,” said Stewart. “I’ve had my problems there in the past, but I’m not going to let the track get to me. I’m working hard and my goal is still to win the championship.”
Teammate Tim Ferry made his return to the overall podium at Budds Creek, showing stellar endurance to overcome large deficits and garner back-to-back runner-up finishes for second overall. He has had some success in the past at Unadilla and hopes for good results this weekend.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry
“I won a moto at Unadilla, beating (Ricky) Carmichael straight up,” stated Ferry. ‘I’m riding really well and I just need to get a couple of good starts and I think I can keep James (Stewart) in sight. If I can ride like I did in the second moto last week it will be a good race.”
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto covered the field at Budds Creek in the AMA Motocross Lites class, earning his sixth overall victory of the season. While he was forced to overcome some difficult starts, once he worked his way through traffic into the lead, he set sail. In 2006, Villopoto earned his lone Unadilla victory.
“The track is a good layout,” said Villopoto. “There isn’t much soil left so there’s a lot of rock bits. Though it isn’t my favorite track on the schedule I’ve had some success there and I hope I can get another two moto wins.”
Teammate Brett Metcalfe had his best performance of the season at Budds Creek, earning third-place overall after fifth and fourth place moto finishes. With the result, he moved into third in the season standings. A much needed boost for the rider who has struggled with nagging injuries all season.
“I’m healing every week,” said Metcalfe. “My shoulder is really not an issue anymore and my ankle isn’t hurting too much so I think I can be back on the podium again. Though a lot of guys don’t like Unadilla, I think it is a good place to race. I don’t know why but I have always liked it there.”
The third member of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team, Austin Stroupe, will miss his third straight event.
At Rockstar/Makita Suzuki, Michael Byrne continued to ride strong at Budds Creek, posting a fifth-place overall finish. His recent efforts have moved him into sixth in the points. His continued improvement in riding and health go hand in hand and by working on the fine details, he can continue this recent wave of momentum.
Makita Suzuki's Michael Byrne
“I have a recovery week this week,” explained Byrne. “I’m just going to continue to work on speed and sprint work. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 has been getting me great starts but I still need to work on my overall speed during the first several laps of the moto. I’m hoping to work on that to prepare for Unadilla this weekend.”
Teammate David Vuillemin continues his climb back from injury in his second race since having knee surgery while Mike Alessi is optimistic about his future, but remains sidelined after his tough crash at RedBud.
In the AMA Motocross Lites class, Ryan Dungey returned to the podium after a two-week absence. His persistence throughout the day’s motos translated into third and second place finishes and second overall, allowing him to maintain his hold on second in the standings.
“We had been struggling a bit,” stated Dungey. “But we made some changes to the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 at Budds Creek that really helped a lot. This week, I’m still doing my regular program, just trying to be consistent and be the best that I can be. The Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team has been doing a great job and now I’m just focusing on trying to get the job done.”
Teammate Nico Izzi showed flashes of speed in Maryland, blasting into first in the early portions of the first moto to lead his first laps of the season. A series of strong runs since High Point have helped Izzi climb to fifth in the points and give the young rider a lot of confidence and even more momentum.
“It’s pretty important to not overstrain during the week because you don’t want to make yourself sick,” said Izzi. “You need to get some rest so I’m just planning to stick with my same routine – some riding the Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 and some training – and improve on the little things.”
At Red Bull Honda, Andrew Short and Davi Millsaps will lead the charge flag for the red bikes in the AMA Motocross class.
Short battled with rival Tim Ferry throughout both motos at Budds Creek. He stayed consistent and refused to ride over his head and avoided mistakes to bring home a pair of third place finishes and third overall. Short is beginning to gain momentum, getting stronger every week.
Millsaps had another rough weekend at Budds Creek. After a solid first moto in which he brought home a sixth place finish, a fall in the second moto forced him to record a DNF.
In AMA Motocross Lites, GEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard showed his speed for the second week in a row. After a stellar battle at the front in the early stages of moto one, Canard established himself as the second fastest rider on the track to bring home the runner-up spot. In moto two, the young rider grabbed his first BTOSports.com Holeshot Award. While riding in second, he got tangled with a lapped rider and fell. Unable to restart the bike he recorded a DNF. With his recent improvement, Canard has moved into seventh in the points.
Teammate Josh Grant also had a rough weekend at Budds Creek. While apparent technical issues nagged the team throughout the weekend, Grant managed to bring home a ninth place finish in moto one before dropping out of moto two.
Press Release # 2
Series Statistical Report Monster Energy National at Unadilla Presented by Renegade Haulers
Round 8 of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF
AMA MOTOCROSS CLASS STATS:
- The first race held at Unadilla was July 11, 1993. Mike Kiedrowski would win on a Kawasaki.
- This will be the 16th time the gate will drop for an AMA Motocross National at Unadilla.
- Kevin Windham and Ricky Carmichael are the only riders to win at Unadilla in both classes.
- In 2005, Ricky Carmichael and Broc Hepler swept Unadilla for Suzuki. It was the first time Suzuki swept a national since May 10th, 1981 at Road Atlanta.
- In 1996, Greg Albertyn broke a Suzuki winless drought at Unadilla. Last winning at the New York circuit on May 24th, 1981, with Kent Howerton, Suzuki endured a 15-year, 124-round drought until Albertyn broke through in 1996.
- Unadilla has been used for Inter-am events, Trans-am events, and US GP's in the 1970s and 1980s. The track hosted a 500 national in 1976, 1977, 1989, and 1991.
- Rick Johnson won his last AMA race here on October 14th, 1990, in the 500cc class.
- Yamaha has never won an AMA Motocross class event at Unadilla.
Wins by brand at Unadilla
Kawasaki-6
Honda-6
Suzuki-3
Yamaha-0
First time winners at Unadilla
Greg Albertyn, 1996 - Suzuki
Last win by brand at Unadilla
Honda-2007
Suzuki-2006
Kawasaki-2001
Riders to win Unadilla in both classes
Ricky Carmichael
Kevin Windham
AMA Motocross Class Point Standings – Thru 7 of 12 Rounds
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 350
- Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 245
- Andrew Short, Smithville, Teas., Honda, 221
- Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 221
- Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 203
- Michael Byrne, Newman, Ga., Suzuki, 198
- Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., KTM, 162
- Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Honda, 143
- Cody Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 134
- Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 123
AMA Motocross Class Overall Wins - Season
James Stewart: 7
AMA Motocross Class Motos Wins - Season
James Stewart: 14
AMA Motocross Class Laps Led - Season
James Stewart: 212
Mike Alessi: 13
AMA Motocross Class Overall Wins by Brand - Season
Kawasaki: 7
AMA Motocross BTOSports.com Holeshot Award Winners - Season
Mike Alessi: 8
James Stewart: 5
Davi Millsaps: 1
AMA MOTOCROSS LITES STATS:
- The first race was held at Unadilla on October 15, 1989. Damon Bradshaw would win on a Yamaha.
- This will be the 19th time the gate will drop at Unadilla for AMA Motocross Lites.
- Guy Cooper was the first rider to win back-to-back at Unadilla in 1990 and 1991. He would also earn his last AMA Motocross Lites win at Unadilla in 1991 on a Suzuki.
- Yamaha has not won an AMA Motocross Lites race at Unadilla since 2004. They are currently in the midst of a 50 round winless streak at the track.
Wins by brand at Unadilla
Kawasaki-10
Yamaha-3
Suzuki-3
Honda-1
KTM-1
First time winners at Unadilla
Broc Hepler, 2005 - Suzuki
James Dobb, 1993 - Kawasaki
Last win by brand at Unadilla
Kawasaki-2007
Suzuki-2005
KTM-2001
Yamaha-2000
Honda-1996
AMA Motocross Lites Point Standings – Thru 7 of 12 Rounds
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 341
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 238
- Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 198
- Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 187
- Nico Izzi, Saint Clair, Mich., Suzuki, 154
- Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 152
- Trey Canard, Elk City, Okla., Honda, 149
- Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., KTM, 130
- Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 120
- Dan Reardon, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 116
AMA Motocross Lites Overall Wins - Season
Ryan Villopoto: 6
Austin Stroupe: 1
AMA Motocross Lites Moto Wins - Season
Ryan Villopoto: 13
Jason Lawrence: 1
AMA Motocross Lites Laps Led - Season
Ryan Villopoto: 178
Jason Lawrence: 14
Josh Grant: 12
Austin Stroupe: 9
Trey Canard: 3
Ryan Dungey: 2
Nico Izzi: 2
Ryan Sipes: 2
Martin Davalos: 1
AMA Motocross Lites Wins by Brand - Season
Kawasaki: 7
AMA Motocross Lites BTOSports.com Holeshot Award Winners - Season
Ryan Villopoto: 4
Martin Davalos: 2
Ryan Dungey: 2
Ryan Sipes: 2
Trey Canard: 1
Josh Grant: 1
Jason Lawrence: 1
Andrew McFarlane: 1
Ticket Information:
Monster Energy National at Unadilla Presented by Renegade Haulers
Unadilla Valley Sports Center, New Berlin, N.Y.
July 19-20, 2008
Friday-Sunday
Adult $65
Children (6-12) $25
Saturday-Sunday
Adult $40
Children (6-12) $15
Sunday Only
Adult $30
Children (6-12) $15
Advertisement »
