10 Things to Watch For at St. Louis
Friday, April 8, 2011 | 4:30 PM
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PrintBy: Davey Coombs and Steve Matthes
Saturday night marks the fourteenth round of the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, and the first fourteen rounds have delivered some amazing action in both classes. The St. Louis race at the Edward Jones Dome will air on on CBS Sports (noon ET Sunday) and SPEED (6 p.m. Sunday). Here are ten things to watch for....10) Lemoine. Matt Lemoine has certainly had some ups and downs in his career. The talented Texan is on the road driving to the races and is actually doing pretty well on his Kawi. Right now, with two rounds remaining, he is sixth in the points, beating of some guys who are of him in salary and traveling to the races. Lemoine turned down a shot on Weimer’s vacant 450 to focus on this East Region Lites title, and so far, it’s going pretty well. He’s establishing himself as one of the guys doing the most with the least.
9) Mookie Fever! Suzuki City’s Malcom “Mookie” Stewart tied his career high last weekend with a fourth and is looking to make the box before this thing is done. Surpassing everyone’s expectations, Stewart is definitely doing things the same way his brother did: showing some incredible skill but sometimes following that up with some incredible crashes. Mookie is a big guy and is probably affected a little bit by his size out there, but he makes the most of it by throwing the 250 around like an 80. He’s top ten in points, but he’s learning, and he’ll get better. Until then, he’s going to aim for the box this weekend.
Can Stewart carry his momentum into St. Louis?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
7) Wilson/Barcia Battle. Look, these two guys don’t really like each other all that much, they ride for the two biggest teams in the Lites class, they are amateur rivals, the mechanics are getting into it, and they’re 13 points apart in the series. These two seem to spend a good portion of the race trying to block the crap out of each other, so if I were in St Louis this weekend, I would be really, really hoping that these two got together at some point. Sparks are going to fly for sure! As stated above, the Las Vegas round is where it’s all coming down unless disaster strikes the #17 this weekend, and with Wilson winning the last two races, I have to think that Barcia isn’t going to let this aggression stand, man
6.) The Big Drop. We have seen terrible turns of luck in this championship, from RV's no-go in JAX to RD's broken chain at A2 to the occasional get-togethers of Stewart and Reed (though still not at one another's houses on a social level). With eighty main-event laps left in this thing, it's still anyone's title. But the next big mistake may mean you're out of this—no matter which one of these five heroes you are. St. Louis could be someone's Waterloo.
Can Reed rebound from last week?
Photo: Simon Cudby
5.) Still the One. And then there's Ryan Dungey, the guy who is actually wearing the #1 plate and has somehow, some way climbed out of the hole he was in, albeit with some help from some of the title contenders mentioned above. The Rockstar/Makita Suzuki rider might have had a shot at the win on Saturday, but he made some mistakes and had to settle for third behind Canard and Villopoto. Still, he's only seven points out of the series lead with four races to go. He hasn't lost a title since 2008. Think about that.
4.) TwoTwo. Chad Reed probably wanted to throttle James Stewart after last week's main event, but then he saw photos of the crash where Bubba knocked him out of bounds and seemed to realize that it wasn’t intentional, but probable at that rate of speed through those kind of whoops. He lost the points lead, but he acted like a champ afterward. You can bet he’ll be out for redemption and hopefully a second win of the season for his TwoTwo Motorsorts/Bel-Ray Honda team.
3.) The Slump. James Stewart has probably never lost eight races in a row in his entire life on two wheels. Actually, that's kind of what the problem has been for the San Manuel Yamaha rider: staying on two wheels. James hasn't won since Anaheim 2, way back on February 5. Is he trying too hard? Seemed like it when he crashed at both Daytona and Dallas. Can he smooth out and get back in the winner's circle? Absolutely. Will it happen on Saturday night in St. Louis? Stay tuned.
Can Canard make it three out of four in St. Louis?
Photo: Simon Cudby
2.) Ryan's Revenge. Last year Ryan Villopoto seemed to have Dungey covered at this point, as he gobbled up wins and points on his Monster Energy Kawasaki. But then came St. Louis '10 and some funky jumps that ended up costing him not only the win but his entire summer. Villopoto has made a remarkable comeback from that ugly injury, to the point where he's back in the points lead. Will he take revenge on Edward Jones and the stadium named after him?
1.) St. Canard. When we last left the Monster Energy AMA Supercross tour, there was all kinds of crashing and commotion going on in the pack, but rising above it all was Team Honda's Trey Canard. In fact, he's won two of the last three rounds, and he's the only man who’s been on the podium the last three races. The kid just wins—kind of like last year's Rookie of the Year in this class, Ryan Dungey, was able to do. Can #41 keep on trucking at St. Louis?
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Naaaawww... The number one thing to watch for this weekend, is what fast food drive thru will James Stewart visit?
I'm guessin' Jack in the Box.
Oh yeah, and... HOLESHOT!!
love the big lebowski reference dc hahahaha now let's watch this fill up with idiotic comments shall we!
I hope no one gets hurt and they can all go on to the outdoors. Very rarely (if ever) did all of the top 5 stay healthy the entire season..
Can't wait!! All I know is the off weekend coming up is going to suck!!!
Alright no more messin around...its time for JS7 to take the top spot on the box this time!
JS7 Will Lead every lap of the next 4 races, Thats his Plan !!!
I HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE FINISH HEALTHY AND WITH NO INJURIES.... CR22 ON THE TOP STEP WITH TC41 BEHIND HIM... AND WE ALL KNOW WE ARE GOING TO SEE ANOTHER GREAT STEWART YARDSALE!!!!!!!! TWO TWO MOTORSPORTS ALL THE WAY IN STL!!!
Im thinking after all the craziness this season, there might finally be a momentum shift.
And oh yeah, the weekend off is going to be torture for me haha.
All the drama and nonsense aside, this has been a great season. Whoever wins the title this year wont make much difference in any of our lives, except for the thumbwrestling here on the RacerX comment threads, which themselves have been entertaining....
Good luck to all the top 5 and stay healthy for the outdoors,, WE WANT MORE!!!
Even though the hit that Stewart did on Reed wasnt intentional, it was just karma to me since Reed intentionally took out Stewart in Atlanta!
2,1,14,41,22,7, powerball- 29. place your bets
I see I'm not the only one who thinks Windham will podium in St. Louis. Track will be hard and slick, throttle control and bike control will be key. No one does it better than K-Dub. Needs a good start to avoid the early chaos, though.
Stewart will go down faster than Charlie Sheen at an AA meeting and Chad Reed will stay out of his way and win. Ryan Villopoto will ride "smart" and come in second followed by Trey Canard....and Ryan Dungey will meet with big Roger and enter into secret contract talks!
It's heating up!! 4 to go. Does it get much better!?
@carnac, im gonna play those numbers hope to see you on the podium holding those 4x8 checks, oh yea, hey bobbles have a nice crash! this weekend!
RICK MELON is even chiming in!
RICK MELON is even chiming in!
I think Double Deuce could get a huge fan base by stuffing the donkey snot out of Rent-A-Cop Wannabe like last time. He owes the boy a really big one.
Carrot Top has a payback for Rent-A-Cop Wannabe just waiting in the bank for the right time and place, and it would be so sweet to have that deposit cashed in St. Louis.
What could be funnier than that? I'd say if Stretch did the deed. Nobody would expect him to have testicular fortitude. What would be funnier than that? If Rookie did the deed, looked back and flipped him off.
I'm hoping they'll change the name of St. Louis to Payback City.
Im bmaw. @Loopy poo I really miss you buddy.. Please please meet me in vegas, only because I can promise you I can back up what I say in your cyber world and would love to do it in person!! Yummy !!!!! Please please respond........
11. A Crappy Supercross program on CBS that will show almost none of the SX Heat action. And the first half hour will be all commercials, both during the show and station breaks.
Didn't Dungey just go 3 1 3 the last three rounds? Wouldn't that put him on the podium for the last three also?
41,1,22,2,7,14,10,29,18,800
Chowderhead....Reese...c'mon dudes... The only reason anyone even tunes in to CBS on Sunday morning is to see an extension of Bubbles World.... I hear this week that instead of covering heat races, their going to show big James taking a bath. PG13 style of course with tons of...you guessed it ... Bubbles....Then, during the main, they're going to cut to Mookie playing cops and robbers...Cause Bubbles never had the chance...and thats why...well...I don't want to spoil it....Just wait.
I love the new Answer clothes Bubbles is wearing.... Advertising his ridiculous t.v. show on his @ss patch!! Fitting, cuz his show is a bunch of sh!t. I really hope CR22 rides to a victory in St. Payback!,,,,er....Louis.
The number one thing to watch for is how bad the broadcast will be on CBS.
We can only pray for a better one than last week.
REEDemption
To me the the unexpected drama and mini skimishes has been cool and kept the points close and all ..................but enough already I wanna see some top 5 bar to bar throwdowns !
Dirt
I wonder if Villo will "man up" the next time Stewie tries to run him over. The other I question I have is whether or not Reed has the speed to do the deed.
I hope Reed gets a holeshot to see if he can run up front for 20 laps with RV, JS, TC, RD breathing down his neck, doubt it. Payback, I think JS stills owes him another one! Wilson all the way in the lites, hope he stuffs Barcia good!
There's so many stewie haters in this forum but i still have to admit that im a huge stewie fan!...Nobody is as exciting as he is to watch so hopefully he'll use his smarts and get back on the top of the podium! I have to admit though that his "up in the clouds/Tiger Woods" ego has made me a little bit lesser of a fan but still a fan nonetheless.
41,29,14,800,1,2,22,7 Go cnard Good job shorty on the 350 Bring it Kdb Great hole shots M.A.hope you are a contender out doors R.d and Rv Great racing also great job on the smart safe.C.R.+J.B.S. Keep the crashes coming Great stuff.
smartypants.. Keep up the good work with every word you type we are all dumber! To be honest i'm glad you think of me this much on here when im not even posting anything! Lets me know im doing good! Let me know when you wanna talk moto, you ball sack! And yes I will meet Trick in Vegas, only because it will get him out of the dam house, and the ray of light that will hit his little brain will maybe give him some sort of reality in his little world! Go get them 22!
For everyone who thinks Stewart an idiot for last weekend... watch this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVkKi4jNfGI
Not entirely the same, but the point is, Reed and all of them make mistakes, and sometimes it's just racing. Except the Barcia v Wilson stuff. That would be very intentional.
mbl1970....?? And your point? All I took from that video is, yes stewart is an IDIOT he messed up once again! Im at a loss for words from your post what in the hell are you trying to say. Please explain without a video of stewart not being a rookie and lets go from there!
im foyboy and whatever too.
There he is, that is really sad you compare yourself to those two! Do you have anything bright to say today or are you working on those avatars?
Come on......you have got to have something?? Think think pee brain think!
Reed will not win another race. He has the speed to be right there but he doest have the speed to ever win again with this stiff of competition. Lets go RD1
come on reed lets get this !!! need this race win have js7 2nd and rd1 in 3rd to get a small gap going !!
The fans will see if Villo has the ability to stand up to Stewie!
What have I done? I e-mailed my dr's office and told them I have Mookie Fever they E-mailed me back with telling me to go to emergency room if I was to sick otherwise I have a Dr's apt now for monday but the nurse said the DR will look it up be fore I come in. I did not check my e-mail till after office was closed so now I gotta expain I was joking with them. Hope they understand lol
My predicition is that TC41 is going to win it all. Kid holeshots and checks out while the rest of the "top 5" sit and fight it out with each other. No one is paying attention to him and he is going to steal it away, like he did against RV2 in the lites.
Stopped reading at Reeses' one and possiby only post, and i hae to agree. I'll be DVR'n this one to skip all of the CBS bullshit so i can watch what will likely be be 8 laps of commercial during the main. I hate CBS.
C'mon Villo, heat that b!tch up~
Welker, get a new doctor if you value your life.
I've not said anything about the defending champ this year, I think i just realised why. He's boring, his interviews suck...and i guess i just plain don't like him. He never should have had a #1 plate, but that's what happens when the two best shots at it are out, regardless of when. 1 race, 2 races before the end even and a shitload of points are being thrown away, or "gifted" as we've seemingly coined it this year.
Reese, your comment on the CBS Sports is right on... I record it then fast forward all the crap...
yes!, 49th comment!
Reed - if you read these, please have Shift make you a one-off gear combo that resembles a cops uniform. Somebody at Shift, just do it.
I'll take your #'s Carnac. Go#2!!
On another note - The media is burning me out on JS7. Amazing season with a lot of riders gutting it out. JS not the only one out there. Come on now.
Kdub - Your transfers are sick! Much rather have CBS/SPEED follow you around winning or not
Bubba got the scrub.indo,bobbla.cops,wiggles,lost,look for hin to crash again!