Race Notes and Weekend Preview

For The Motosport.com National at Washougal Motocross Park on July 26-27

WASHOUGAL, Wash. (July 25, 2008)
The AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF makes its final trip west and prepares for the final month of action this weekend as the tour heads to its annual stop in the Pacific Northwest. Washougal Motocross Park will play host to the 28th Annual Motosport.com National Presented by Yamaha and Scott USA on July 26-27.

 

Last weekend, a brutal storm front wreaked havoc on the action from Unadilla Valley Sports Center in New York. In the end, perennial front-runner, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart, overcame muddy conditions and a strong challenge by Suzuki City Biloxi, MS/OTSFF rider Cody Cooper to stay perfect on the season and take moto wins 15 and 16 en route to overall victory number eight. Last season, Stewart had a weekend to forget in Washington as a knee injury sustained on the circuit forced him out of the 2007 championship. The Kawasaki rider does hold a AMA Motocross victory at Washougal from 2006 along with three AMA Motocross Lites wins.

 

James Stewart Image

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s
James Stewart


“I just need to stay safe,” said Stewart. “I am riding good. I’ve got five holeshots in a row and I just want to get a couple of good starts so I can ride my own race. The championship is still the goal and I’m close to it, but I’m not there yet.”

 

In AMA Motocross Lites, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto triumphed yet again at Unadilla, sweeping the motos and extending his points lead to triple digits. The unpredictable weather provided a tough challenge for Villopoto, but he persevered to come out on top. This weekend, the Poulsbo, Wash., native heads to his home race looking to take his first overall victory at the facility in his final attempt on a AMA Motocross Lites bike.

 

“I’m really excited about going to Washougal,” said Villopoto. “I’ve won a moto there, but I haven’t won an overall. I really want to leave my last race on a KX250F at Washougal as a winner. The track is difficult but that plays into my strengths so it should be a good weekend for us.”

 

Brett Metcalfe’s performance at Unadilla provided him with back-to-back overall podiums, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the season. A long season full of nagging injuries that still cause problems for the veteran rider make his recent triumphs even sweeter.

 

“I’m starting to feel better,” said Metcalfe. “I thought I was going to be good for last week, but I hurt my ankle at Budds Creek so that limited my riding during the week. I’ve been on the bike a little more this week so I know I can get another good finish.”

 

Both Stewart and Villopoto have a chance to clinch their respective championships this weekend if they are able to leave Washington with at least a 150-point advantage.

 

Over in the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki stable, Michael Byrne garnered his second straight overall podium with a season-best second-place finish in New York. In recent weeks, the Suzuki rider has turned his season around with continuously impressive runs that have vaulted him up the point standings into fourth place.

 

“Washougal is a track that has been good to me,” explained Byrne. “I’ve had a podium there before in Motocross Lites and I really enjoy the layout there. Like Unadilla, the soil is not the best but the layout is always fun and, hopefully, they’ll have made some good changes. This week, I’ll be home in Georgia, doing what I’ve been doing – working on sprint and speed stuff – and just keep training and keep riding my Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450.”

 

In the AMA Motocross Lites class, Ryan Dungey posted yet another runner-up finish at Unadilla. The young rider even held the lead in the early portion of the second moto before misfortune relegated him to second. A podium finisher in five of the season’s eight events, he hopes to make it number six this weekend and maintain his hold on second in the standings.

 

“I’ll be riding the Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 all week here in Florida,” explained Dungey. “Then (I’ll) head out to Washougal on Friday. Basically, I’m just continuing to do our usual practice motos and sprints and all that good stuff, as well as my regular training. Washougal is a fun track -- last year I went three/two for third overall. It’s definitely a technical track as far as throttle control goes and I’m looking forward to that.”

 

Teammate Nico Izzi posted yet another top five in New York this past weekend to continue his second half turnaround. Since enjoying his first overall podium in Colorado a few weeks ago, Izzi has been a regular at the front of the pack.

 

“I’ve never raced at Washougal, really,” said Izzi. “Unless you count that I rode there once on 80cc bikes a long time ago.  So I’m looking forward to learning a new track.  This week, I’m just still doing the same thing – I’m recovering during the early part of the week and riding a lot on Thursday and training.  It should be a fun weekend.”

 

At Red Bull Honda, Andrew Short will proudly carry the factory flag for the second week in a row. As fellow riders Ben Townley, Ivan Tedesco, and Davi Millsaps nurse injuries heading into the two-week break, Short will once again work to stay up front and build upon the seventh place finish he achieved at Unadilla.

 

The AMA Motocross Lites squad in the GEICO Powersports Honda stable experienced mixed results in New York. Josh Grant led the way for the squad with a fifth-place overall finish. He also boasted a third-place finish in the event’s first moto. Trey Canard was quick as well, running in tow with Grant throughout each moto to finish eighth overall. Third team member finished 16th overall after a 25th-place finish in moto two shut him out of the points.

 

Series Statistical Report The Motosport.com National at Washougal Motocross Park
Presented by Yamaha and Scott USA,
Round 9 of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF

 

AMA MOTOCROSS CLASS STATS:

  • The first race held at Washougal was August 14, 1983. Rick Johnson would win on a Yamaha.
  • This will be the 18th time the gate will drop for an AMA Motocross National at Washougal.
  • Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, and Jeff Emig have won at Washougal in both classes.
  • In 2001, Tim Ferry went 2-2 in motos for the overall win. Last year he accomplished the same feat. He is the only rider during that time span to win an overall without winning a moto.
  • Mike LaRocco won the last 500cc race in Washougal in 1993 on a Honda.
  • Rick Johnson and Ricky Carmichael are the only two riders to win Washougal back-to-back in 1983-84 (Johnson) and 2004-05 (Carmichael).

Wins by brand at Washougal
Honda-5
Kawasaki-5
Yamaha-4
Suzuki-3

 

First time winners at Washougal
Jimmy Button, 1999 - Yamaha

 

Last win by brand at Washougal
Kawasaki-2007
Suzuki-2005
Honda-2004
Yamaha-1999

 

Riders to win Washougal in both classes
Ricky Carmichael
James Stewart
Jeff Emig

 

Brand Sweeps at Washougal
Kawasaki; Ryan Hughes, Mike LaRocco - 1994
Honda; Mike Brown, Jeremy McGrath - 1995
Kawasaki; Jeff Emig, Ricky Carmichael - 1997
Kawasaki; Ben Townley, Tim Ferry - 2007

 

AMA Motocross Class Point Standings – Thru 8 of 12 Rounds

  1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 400
  2. Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 280
  3. Andrew Short, Smithville, Teas., Honda, 246
  4. Michael Byrne, Newman, Ga., Suzuki, 240
  5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 221
  6. Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 203
  7. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., KTM, 182
  8. Cody Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 172
  9. Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Honda, 151
  10. Sean Hamblin, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 141

 

AMA Motocross Class Overall Wins - Season
James Stewart: 8

 

AMA Motocross Class Motos Wins - Season
James Stewart: 16

 

AMA Motocross Class Laps Led - Season
James Stewart: 241
Mike Alessi: 13

 

AMA Motocross Class Overall Wins by Brand - Season
Kawasaki: 8

 

AMA Motocross BTOSports.com Holeshot Award Winners - Season
Mike Alessi: 8
James Stewart: 7
Davi Millsaps: 1

 

Class Recap after 8 Rounds

  • James Stewart earned career AMA win number 65 and AMA Motocross win number 12 at Unadilla.
  • Stewart is just four overall wins and eight moto victories away from becoming only the second rider in history to register a perfect season (winning all 24 motos on the season).
  • Kawasaki now has 8 sweeps this season.
  • Kawasaki has posted 16 combined AMA Motocross and AMA Motocross Lites wins this season, tying the record with four rounds to go.

 

Perfect Seasons in AMA Motocross History
Ricky Carmichael – 2002, 2004, 2005

 

AMA Motocross Class Career Wins List
Ricky Carmichael – 76
Bob Hannah – 27
Ricky Johnson – 22
Kent Howerton – 18
Jeff Emig – 16
Jeremy McGrath – 15
Jeff Ward – 13
Mike Kiedrowski – 12
Jeff Stanton – 12
James Stewart – 12

 

AMA Motocross Career Wins List (combined AMA Motocross and AMA Motocross Lites)
Ricky Carmichael – 102
James Stewart – 40

 

AMA MOTOCROSS LITES STATS:

  • The first race was held at Washougal on July 6, 1980. Mark Barnett would win on a Suzuki.
  • This will be the 28th time the gate will drop at Washougal for AMA Motocross Lites.
  • Kawasaki has won eight of the last 11 races at Washougal.
  • Points leader Ryan Villopoto has not won an overall at Washougal.

 

Wins by brand at Washougal
Kawasaki-11
Suzuki-8
Honda-6
Yamaha-2

 

First time winners at Washougal
Brock Sellards, 1999 - Honda
Mike Brown, 1995 - Honda
Larry Ward, 1991 - Suzuki
A.J. Whiteng, 1985 - Suzuki

Last win by brand at Washougal
Kawasaki-2007
Honda-2006
Suzuki-2000
Yamaha-1993


AMA Motocross Lites Point Standings – Thru 8 of 12 Rounds

  1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 391
  2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 282
  3. Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 231
  4. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 199
  5. Nico Izzi, Saint Clair, Mich., Suzuki, 183
  6. Trey Canard, Elk City, Okla., Honda, 173
  7. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., KTM, 153
  8. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 152
  9. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Honda, 127
  10. Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Yamaha, 124

 

AMA Motocross Lites Overall Wins - Season
Ryan Villopoto: 7
Austin Stroupe: 1

 

AMA Motocross Lites Moto Wins - Season
Ryan Villopoto: 15
Jason Lawrence: 1

 

AMA Motocross Lites Laps Led - Season
Ryan Villopoto: 206
Jason Lawrence: 14
Josh Grant: 12
Austin Stroupe: 9
Ryan Dungey: 4
Trey Canard: 3
Nico Izzi: 2
Ryan Sipes: 2
Martin Davalos: 1

 

AMA Motocross Lites Wins by Brand - Season
Kawasaki: 8

 

AMA Motocross Lites BTOSports.com Holeshot Award Winners - Season
Ryan Villopoto: 4
Ryan Dungey: 4
Martin Davalos: 2
Ryan Sipes: 2
Trey Canard: 1
Josh Grant: 1
Jason Lawrence: 1
Andrew McFarlane: 1

 

Class Recap after 8 Rounds

  • Ryan Villopoto earned AMA Motocross Lites win number 19 at Unadilla.

 

Most Consecutive Wins by a Lites Rider in a season
James Stewart-8
Steve Lamson-7
Mark Barnett-7
Ryan Villopoto-7

 

AMA Motocross Lites Career Wins List
James Stewart – 28
Ricky Carmichael – 26
Mark Barnett – 25
Steve Lamson – 21
Ryan Villopoto – 19

 

Ticket Information:
The Motosport.com National at Washougal Motocross Park Presented by Yamaha and Scott USA
Washougal Motocross Park – Washougal, Wash.
July 26-27, 2008

 

Thursday-Sunday
Adult                                        $50
6 and under                            Free

 

Friday-Sunday                         
Adult                                        $50
6 and under                            Free

 

Saturday-Sunday
Adult                                        $40
6 and under                            Free

 

Sunday Only
Adult                                        $30
6 and under                            Free

 


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