Chad Reed posted a close second-place finish to James Stewart in front of 46,121 fans at round two of the 2008 AMA Supercross Series in Phoenix, AZ on Saturday evening, January 12. With a win and a second apiece, the pair now shares the points lead as the season gets underway. In all, four of the top 10 finishers were aboard Yamaha YZ450Fs, including L&M Racing teammates Reed and Nathan Ramsey, and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Josh Hansen and Charles Summey. In addition, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Broc Hepler led the Supercross Lites class but ultimately ended up fourth on his YZ250F, just ahead of Yamaha of Troy’s Jason Lawrence.
Supercross... After decisively taking the opening round in Anaheim, Reed was primed and ready to win in Phoenix, and he showed both motivation and speed by dominating his heat race after an early battle with teammate Josh Hill. But when the gate dropped for the 20-lap main event, Mike Alessi narrowly grabbed the holeshot ahead of Stewart and Reed. The pair quickly dispatched Alessi and forged a sizable lead, eventually lapping half the field. Reed took control briefly on lap three, then pressured Stewart throughout the race and ultimately finished a scant 1.966 sec. behind the defending series champion.
“I really wanted to put this win in my trophy cabinet,” Reed admitted afterwards. “But it was a good weekend and a good battle, and I’m super motivated for next week!”
Supecross Results - Round 2 |
| 1 |
James Stewart |
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| 2 |
Chad Reed - YAM |
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| 3 |
Kevin Windham |
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| 4 |
Andrew Short |
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| 5 |
Ivan Tedesco |
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| 6 |
Mike Alessi |
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| 7 |
Nathan Ramsey - YAM |
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| 8 |
Josh Hansen - YAM |
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| 9 |
Josh Summey - YAM |
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| 10 |
Tim Ferry |
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Supercross Standings - After Round 2 of 17 |
| 1 |
Chad Reed - YAM |
47 |
| 2 |
James Stewart |
47 |
| 3 |
Kevin Windham |
36 |
| 4 |
Andrew Short |
31 |
| 5 |
Tim Ferry |
31 |
| 6 |
Mike Alessi |
30 |
| 7 |
Nathan Ramsey - YAM |
24 |
| 8 |
Ivan Tedesco |
22 |
| 9 |
David Millsaps |
21 |
| 10 |
Grant Langston - YAM |
19 |
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Supercross Lites... The 15-lap Supercross Lites race turned into a terrific five-man battle for the win with YZ-mounted Hepler and rivals Ryan Dungey and Jake Weimer all trading the lead, and Brett Metcalfe and Yamaha pilot Lawrence also in the mix. In fact Hepler looked like a sure winner aboard his YZ, leading twice until a mistake dropped him to fourth place. The final podium went to Weimer, Dungey and Metcalfe, with Yamaha pilots Hepler and Lawrence in fourth and fifth, respectively.
“It’s nice to see Jason improving and Broc leading a few laps, and I’m looking forward to more of it as the season goes on,” said Yamaha Supercross team manager Jim Perry.
Supercross Lites West Results - Round 2 |
| 1 |
Jake Weimer |
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| 2 |
Ryan Dungy |
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| 3 |
Brett Metcalfe |
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| 4 |
Broc Hepler - YAM |
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| 5 |
Jason Lawrence - YAM |
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| 6 |
Justin Brayton |
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| 7 |
Will Hahn - YAM |
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| 8 |
Daniel Reardon |
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| 9 |
K. Cunningham |
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| 10 |
Billy Laninovich |
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Supercross Lites West Points - After Round 2 of 8 |
| 1 |
Ryan Dungy |
47 |
| 2 |
Jason Lawrence - YAM |
38 |
| 3 |
Justin Brayton |
35 |
| 4 |
Daniel Reardon |
31 |
| 5 |
Broc Hepler - YAM |
28 |
| 6 |
Will Hahn - YAM |
25 |
| 7 |
Jake Weimer |
25 |
| 8 |
Brett Metcalfe |
22 |
| 9 |
Thomas Hahn |
22 |
| 10 |
Mike LaPaglia |
18 |
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