DUNGEY TAKES PHOENIX WIN AND SUPERCROSS SERIES LEAD

Courtesy of American Suzuki
Team Suzuki Press Office - January 17.

Rockstar Makita Suzuki's rookie Supercross star Ryan Dungey took home his first Supercross 450-class win on Saturday night at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. It was Dungey's second race as part of the AMA Supercross class, and he won by a decisive margin leading the entire 20-lap race.

Dungey was in second place after three practice sessions, and he also won Heat 1 by grabbing the holeshot and leading for the entirety of the race. "I was able to get a good start in the heat race which allowed me to put in some good laps and win," Dungey said. "I felt really good and tried to carry that momentum into the Main Event. We made a few minor changes on the bike and I was able to get a really good start and put myself in a good position."

At the drop of the gate for the Main Event, Dungey shot out and nabbed the holeshot for the second time of the night. He kept his pace and led the pack around the technical track for 20 phenomenal laps. "The track was tough tonight," Dungey explained. "It was really slippery and line choice was key. So, being able to pull away from everybody and put in my own laps was helpful. The line choices were really slim and there was one good line, so I'm thankful it went well."

Dungey is currently in the overall points lead with 47 points.

"Winning my first Supercross race was great. I'm really happy," Dungey said. "The Suzuki is a great bike and it's got a lot of power. It's the best of the best. I'm grateful to be part of the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team. It's great to pull a win for them and I hope to do many more." Phoenix may be a lucky city for the 20-year-old Minnesota native; he won the Western Regional Lites class event there in 2009.

Team Manager Roger DeCoster was pleased with his team's performance on Saturday night. "It's so nice to win," DeCoster said. "It's the second race of the season, and the second race of Ryan's 450 career, and to come out with a win is fantastic." When asked about the future 15 races of the Supercross series, DeCoster was realistic yet optimistic. "We have a good standing now, and we have to continue getting good finishes and being on the podium every week. If we do that, we have a chance at the end of the year."

Dungey's team mate Austin Stroupe also had a successful night: Stroupe grabbed the holeshot in Heat 2, finishing fourth and putting himself in the Main Event. As Dungey took the holeshot in the big show, Stroupe was right behind him in the second spot. "Riding behind Ryan was good for a couple of laps, but the other racers were riding hard and I wasn't sure how long I could do it," Stroupe explained. "I haven't really raced a 20-lap Main before, but it went well. I was glad Ryan got the win, and I was stoked to finish the race." Stroupe is set to compete in the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class this year on the RM-Z250, but is filling in for Matt Moss in the AMA Supercross class aboard the RM-Z450 for the next few rounds.

DeCoster was happy with how things went for the 19-year-old North Carolina native. "Austin was awesome tonight," DeCoster said. "He rode really well and that should give him the confidence that he belongs with the top guys. This is a good experience for him."


Main Event Results:

1. Ryan Dungey (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
2. Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki)
3. Josh Hill (Yamaha)
4. Ivan Tedesco (Yamaha)
5. Andrew Short (Honda)
6. Kevin Windham (Honda)
7. Austin Stroupe (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
8. Justin Brayton (Yamaha)
9. Davi Millsaps (Honda)
10. Tommy Hahn (Suzuki)

Points (after 2 rounds): 1 Dungey 47, 2 Villopoto 38, 3 Hill 35, 4 Windham 35, 5 Short 34, 6 Tedesco 32, 7 Stewart 31, 8 Brayton 26, 9 Millsaps 24, 10 Hahn 21.