by Chase Stallo
Sign of the Lap Times: Dallas
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 | 11:30 AM
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PrintAfter beginning the season with six straight rounds out west, Monster Energy Supercross packed up and headed east to The House that Jerry Built for round seven. Just when it looked like we were in for another barn-burner between Ryan Villopoto and Chad Reed, a horrific crash from Reed left over 53,000 fans stunned. Villopoto cruised home from there for his third straight victory. Reed is now faced with the very real possibility of missing the rest of the 2012 season, after suffering a torn ACL among other injuries. But let’s not count out the gritty Aussi for an outdoors return just yet.
Saturday also marked the East Region Lites opener, and boy did Justin Barcia and crew bring the heat to the Big D. Barcia grabbed the opening round win, sending a clear message to the rest of the field that the title runs through him. Barcia’s GEICO Honda rookie teammate, Justin Bogle and J-Star JDR KTMs Malcolm Stewart provided fireworks of their own, ending with each receiving $500 fines from the AMA for their actions on the track.
Now let’s get to the lap charts to see how it all broke down.
AMA Supercross
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 20 | 46.662 | 6 | 47.045 | Chad Reed |
| 2 | 1 | 46.734 | 6 | 48.852 | Ryan Villopoto |
| 3 | 2 | 48.027 | 6 | 48.935 | Ryan Dungey |
| 4 | 3 | 48.220 | 3 | 49.234 | Jake Weimer |
| 5 | 6 | 48.289 | 8 | 50.247 | James Stewart |
| 6 | 7 | 48.496 | 4 | 50.361 | Kevin Windham |
| 7 | 4 | 48.644 | 5 | 49.996 | Mike Alessi |
| 8 |
15 | 48.956 | 2 | 53.053 | Davi Millsasps |
| 9 | 5 | 49.141 | 6 | 50.066 | Josh Hansen |
| 10 | 18 | 49.305 | 6 | 54.389 | Nico Izzi |
| 11 | 8 | 49.414 | 11 | 50.730 | Brett Metcalfe |
| 12 | 9 | 49.476 | 7 | 51.151 | Justin Brayton |
| 13 | 13 | 49.702 | 6 | 52.106 | Kyle Partridge |
| 14 |
11 | 49.744 | 10 | 51.359 | Broc Tickle |
| 15 | 12 | 50.123 | 10 | 51.863 | Nick Wey |
| 16 | 10 | 50.304 | 6 | 51.298 | Kyle Chisholm |
| 17 |
14 | 50.442 | 8 | 52.433 | Robby Kiniry |
| 18 | 17 | 50.509 | 4 | 54.190 | Gavin Faith |
| 19 | 16 | 50.907 | 8 | 52.856 | Matt Goerke |
| 20 | 19 | 51.876 | 2 | 58.904 | Jeff Alessi |
For the second straight week Chad Reed bested Ryan Villopoto to set the fastest lap of the night with a 46.662. Sadly he set that lap on the sixth go around. Just two laps later, he crashed out for the season.
The lap charts confirmed what most of us already knew from Dallas—Villopoto and Reed were in a league of their own. The two set the track ablaze consistently throwing down 46 and 47 second lap times (before Reed crashed), which at times were up to two seconds faster than Ryan Dungey and James Stewart.
After taking his first SX class podium in Phoenix, Jake Weimer has struggled to find that podium magic again. Weimer proclaimed that he was going to get more aggressive in Dallas and he did just that, fighting for second with Dungey before settling for third, and his second podium of the year. With Reed now out of the mix this may not be the last time in 2012 Weimer graces the podium.
Reed would set the fastest lap of the night before a big crash ended his night and SX season.
Photo: Simon Cudby
AMA Supercross Lites
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 48.903 | 6 | 49.628 | Justin Barcia |
| 2 | 14 | 49.100 | 6 | 55.305 | Justin Bogle |
| 3 | 3 | 49.147 | 6 | 49.939 | Ken Roczen |
| 4 | 2 | 49.150 | 5 | 50.080 | Darryn Durham |
| 5 |
6 | 49.369 | 5 | 51.635 | Malcolm Stewart |
| 6 |
15 | 49.709 | 4 | 52.935 | Blake Bagget |
| 7 | 4 | 50.081 | 4 | 50.945 | Blake Wharton |
| 8 | 5 | 50.393 | 5 | 51.360 | Phillip Nicoletti |
| 9 | 9 | 50.744 | 3 | 52.241 | Cole Thompson |
| 10 | 8 | 50.865 | 3 | 51.974 | PJ Larsen |
| 11 | 10 | 50.970 | 5 | 52.510 | Lance Vincent |
| 12 | 7 | 50/971 | 4 | 51.825 | Jake Canada |
| 13 | 11 | 51.424 | 8 | 52.428 | Alex Martin |
| 14 | 12 | 51.701 | 4 | 53.894 | Hunter Hewitt |
| 15 | 13 | 52.787 | 6 | 54.390 | Austin Politelli |
| 16 | 17 | 53.475 | 3 | 1:00.635 | Angelo Pellegrini |
| 17 | 18 | 53.587 | 3 | 54.839 | Sean Hackley |
| 18 | 16 | 54.899 | 10 | 59.019 | Les Smith |
| 19 | 19 | - | - | - | Matt Lemoine |
| 20 | 20 | - | - | - | Kyle Cunningham |
Justin Barcia began his title defense with an impressive showing in Dallas, not only securing the East Region opening round win, but taking home the top spot on the lap charts as well. Most expected Barcia to be at, or near, the top of the charts but a bigger surprise was his teammate Justin Bogle setting the second fastest lap of the night in his first career SX Lites race. Although Bogle’s impressive performance was somewhat overshadowed by a slap to the back of Malcolm Stewart’s head (after a suspect pass/knockdown from Stewart), Bogle looks to have what it takes to challenge for wins in 2012.
After spending last year down under competing in the Australian Nationals, Phil Nicoletti made his return to Monster Energy Supercross and proceeded to shock the industry with a fifth. In 2010 Nicoletti was a very under-the-radar privateer that was a consistent top ten threat, so while his fifth wasn’t the most shocking in history, it was a surprise that he accomplished it in his first race back.
Barcia would top the charts in the Lites class en route to his opening round win.
Photo: Simon Cudby
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RV and CR where crushing it! Over a second fast lap times than the fight for third
so here is where the contradictions and double standards will start. hahaha.. Folks always say the reason JS7 has the fastest lap times is because he rides over his head and it usually leads to him crashing...Reed's fastest lap was the lap before he crashed, so does that mean Reed was riding over his head too then, or did he just crash??..Very similar scenario to Millville.....RV and Reed were both flying no doubt, but I agree with some and think Reed was a little out of his comfort zone ....Maybe being a little over confident worked against him...RV looked to be handling the pressure and may have been able to turn it up a bit....but we'll never know....
For the folks that will say "look at Stewarts best time"....well, he didnt crash and still had a bad night after the stall......He calmly got back in the race and went from last to 6th, which isnt too bad considering.....In the past he would panic and race through the pack and often go down again....he did the right thing....hopefully he can get some W's and race with RV.....title is looking unlikely...but like we saw saturday...anything can happen and JS7 has has his bad nights...
The racing in the East Coast Lites will probally be more intense than the supercross class from here on out. I dont see the ginger haired firecracker taking any risks from here on out...he will still be fast, but dont see him dicing it up much, it is point management time ...Lites guys are going to be a frenzied bunch sharks that smell blood in the water, each one riding on the edge to be the Big Fish in the little pond...
RV is the only guy right now who can sustain the current pace for 20 laps over 17 rounds.
Anyone else trying is out of their comfort zone.
@killomoto i agree completely! and everyone is talking about to bad for bogle, to bad for malcolm. he has just as good chance as bogle to be a contender. once again, bubba will be accused of riding over his head bc he crashed (which wasnt his fault just like at two other races, but whatever) DUNGEY AND STEWART NEED TO DO WORK OF VILLO NOW!
I have never liked Reed... since the first time he made a dirty pass on RC. But he was making it interesting this year. RC siad it at Anaheim 1 this year. RV can ride on the edge and be ok. Reed was on the edge and may have just pushed it a little too far. I was pretty surprised though because Reed doesnt make a lot of mistakes. Whats up with Stewart? RV went down in two races and came back through the pack. Stewart does not look motivated. Better get used to RV being #1 for a long time people.
Not to take anything away from Reed or Poto, they were absolutely hauling, but while they were out there setting fast laps Dunge and Stew were in a huge pack of slower riders on a very one lined track that was difficult to pass on. I'm not saying they would have matched the leaders with a clean track, I don't think that's the case, but I'm pretty sure it would have been quite a bit closer. Sucks to see Reed out, when he was riding possibly better than ever before, but if you think Dungey's gonna let this season get boring, you're sorely mistaken, he'll be right in it through Vegas.
@warrior462 - good points.
I'm sure JS and RD had more than a few laps where there was enough open track ahead to put in faster laps if they had it in them! Fact is Reed and RV were in a league of their own Saturday.....RD simply can't match their speed on MOST nights
( not all ) and Stewart looks to be pretty much mailing it in....there is no urgency there!
@ warrior462 Dungey's my man! i think he will be right there by vegas as well but he needs to start RIGHT NOW. you are right about rd5 and js7 being held up though. great racing this year, that's for sure!
Get well soon CR. I guess I'm eatting my words from a few weeks ago when I thought JS was hurt and the only one able to give RV a run for his money. RV and CR are killing it. Nothing against JGR, I don't think JS has any confidence in that Yami. Money isn't everything, should have went with the Zook!!!
@Snooze,, Well said.. JS looks like he's lost, come main event time..
I thought CR made it interesting in the mx series,when he dominated the first half. I thought he made it interesting last weekend when he had the fastest lap of anyone. CR is a fantastic racer & he proves it over & over. As far as anyone else keeping pace with Poto,some nights someone will. That yzf 450seems to be the toughest obstacle for any racer on one. Pourcel,Hahn,Stroupe,even stewi,the fastest crasher on the planet who has set a new record for most crashes in a sx season,remarkable. Whats up with Brayton ? Even before his crash [mild concussion] he doesn`t seem to have the speed of last season. Allessi rode good for a change. I think he`s going to challenge for third in the ntnls. Thats without CR & Trey. Hope their both in it from the start. Cr has accomplished so much. Trey has just begun.
Well Good to see Chad up on the top of the charts, to bad he didn't get to finish. I hear some comparisons to when Reed hangs it out and when Stewart hangs it out. Unfornately lil Stewie crashes just about 70% of the time. No one hits the dirt like lil Stewie! Might as well give Ryan the championship now, but then again strange things do happen.But here we go again, watching the racing for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
When a rocket launches it carrys the payload to its destination (RV)
When a comet flashes it burns out quickly (CR)
Nuff Said!
A lot of you could save yourselves some re-typing by just copying what you said last week:
http://www.racerxonline.com/2012/02/14/sign-of-the-lap-times-san-diego
Who out there still thinks RD is in it?? Like I have said only if RV get hurt.
warrior462 , Not so much. ALL day it was like that, Heats, practic ect
I think RD5 is still in it! Why? 13 points down is why! Motocross is not curling. Bikes break, riders break. The list goes on and on. @MXBob....lol. I don't know why I keep coming back to these forums, it is the same old repetitive dialogue over, and over. Not one post has made me change my views. I guess its more entertaining than informative.
Although Mr. Motocross is fu&%ing hilarious!
Stewart is acting very strange! It doesn't look like he cares what place he gets. When he hit Davi he looked like he was trying to waist time, then he rode the rest of the race like he had a 30 second lead. Makes me wonder if his contract doesn't have a good bonus incentives. He acting strange in his interviews like everything is fine, IT AINT!!! The lites class is going to be one of the best ever, their are 7 guys that have the speed to get a win, can't wait for next week.
Barcia the fastest 250 guy out there, very cool. I really hope Roczen picks it up and makes a run, I really like that kid..
Technically every one in the top 10 is pretty much still in it. The other 9 guys could all get hurt......but you have to be realistic. 13 points after 7 rounds when Dungey was ahead of him by 2 after 4 rounds? 3 wins in a row, how many more is he going to get? I think BillC is right, only a big injury is going to stop RV. I don't think even a DNF will be enough. With a DNF this weekend and a Dungey win, RV is still only 11 points behind him. Anyone think he won't win at least 5 more? ....and podium still if he falls or gets a bad start?
Man, poor JS7 cant catch a break with anyone.....People say he needs to turn it down a notch, let the race come to him and not ride over his head and crash.....so he appears to be doing does just that and folks are saying he doesnt care.... after some bad luck with Milsaps (not at all James fault)...he didnt over exert himself and calmly climbed back up to 6th from last....5th place was a ways ahead and again I think he did the "smart" thing and finished the race.....JS7 seemed pretty good in the heat race and Reed didnt catch and pass JS7 and you know he wanted too.....JS7 seems very frustrated to me....he knows the damage is done, so all he can do is go out and go for W's.....it isnt over yet....10 more rounds....
Also, anyone else notice that one of the most vocal riders about rider and track safety was the only guy to triple that rythym ( or maybe it was the triple) section on lap 1 saturday night and came cloes to taking some folks out....go watch the tape...
I don't understand why people think RD is out of it, he may be off RV's pace but the Dunge is plenty capable of winning, and he's proved that. He's never really the fastest guy, but definitely the most consistent on most nights.
I definitely think CR was a little out of his comfort zone and it is a bummer for him. I am not a fan of Reed, but I am a fan of good racing and I was on the edge of my couch until Reed crashed.
I think what Mookie did was definitely wrong, but the way Bogle handled it was unprofessional. If you think about it Bogle probably wasn't in pain from the crash because he didn't show any pain other than after he hit Mookie in the head, well couldn't of Bogle gotten up around the same time as Mookie and got points instead of DNFing?
I think Bogle was more pissed about the blatant disregard Mookie had for his foot that was wedged between the rear wheel and the subframe... Stewart just reefed the bike up which I'm sure twisted the ankle a bit and then he somewhat rudely b***h slapped his foot free! That's the way I see it....
BillC, you're such a joke, so blinded by man love you can't even force yourself to believe that there's a chance that Poto may not win this title in this "anything can happen at anytime" kind of sport. Do you recall where Dungey was in points at this time last year, compared to where he finished? Also, Reed had generally taken more points away from Dungey than Poto all last year, so him being out seems to play in Dungey's favor. I wouldn't call myself a fan of any one rider over another, I just absolutely love the sport, and find myself defending Dungey most often because there seems to be so many who give Poto too much credit while taking it away from Dungey. Maybe they're just still mad at how he dominated his rookie year like nobody in the sport ever had before.
Hopefully CR makes a fast recovery and can moto the outdoors. CR is at the top of his game. Props to him and his investment in his own team.
RV is so solid on that kawi. It's time for Dunge and Stewart to step it up a notch or two. The championship is far from over cause we all know it can all change in one weekend. Brraaap
If Stewart wins the next 10 rounds and RV comes in second, he still wins the championship by 12 points
warrior462 why just me when others say the same thing and You call me a JOKE?? Dude I know ANYTHING can happen, thats why I always say "UNLESS" RV gets hurt or has some "REAL" bad luck. Face the facts Head to head RD will not beat RV right now, a few weeks from now who knows but right Now not going to happen. RD's only 2 wins the last 25 + races came after a holeshot. RD is great but does not have the speed right now so will need some luck. so keep your gay inuendos to yourself and try to act like an adult.
BillC remember a few weeks ago you said only JS has the pace to keep up with RV. RD and CR just don't have the pace, well things changed look at the last two weeks. CR was Faster than RV. This season is far from over, remember last year when RV didn't even make it to the main? Right now RV is faster than the others but there are many races left and who knows (other than you) they may get that KTM dialed in and it could be the best bike out there.
Sherpa... read my post again... Never mind I will paste it for ya. "Face the facts Head to head RD will not beat RV right now, a few weeks from now who knows"
.And a few weeks ago as you pointed out Reed did not have the pace but thing change just like I said abouv...Right now now a few weeks from know who know's. I do know this there have only been a few times the last two years that RD had it in SX, so i don't expect him to drop his lap times by 2sec anytime soon. Sure there will be weeks where he is "on it" but ocver all i just don't see it happening everyweek. Why is that so bad??
BillC your post says'"Who out there thinks RD is in it?" You would have to be foolish to think with 10 round left and only 13 points behind he is not in it. All I am saying is even if RV doesn't fall or get hurt RD can go faster, just as CR has proven in the last two weeks. You don't have a clue whether or not that will happen and more than likely it will not, But there are many who think RD is in it. Ask him and see what he says.
I like on the broadcast during the first lap of the main how RC4 says " this is it ....Its all RV and Reed every week now".... wow, really, every week now???...after Reed finished 2nd in SD that means "every week now".... at A2, it was clearly RV and JS7 who were the top two and Reed was in 3rd..then in SD, Reed got some spark on his favorite track and had some help, ok A LOT of help from the lappers and that gave him even moreboost and RV still took the W from him.....Going into Dallas you could tell Reed was mad he lost in SD, he was talking "rubbin is racing" and all that " i see how it is now " nonsense about RV and doing what he could to sugar coat it...so dont fool yourself if you think anything other than an aggressive pass on RV was coming from Reed in Dallas if he had stayed on two wheels....he just about t-boned RV twice while breaking too late....then Reed lost it obvioulsy, found himself in the dirt and ended his SX season......Reed was on it for sure, or in it to win it as he says, no doubt about it and he needs to be in order to beat RV... but he seemed to have crossed his comfort zone and i think the mind games back fired on him...JS7 and Dungey both had horrible starts and were out of the race by the 3rd turn since RV and Reed were gone......They both stepped it up and took off from weimer, alessi hansen and Metcalf...meanwhile Dungey and JS7 were way back then the JS7 and Milsaps thing happened....I think both Dungey and JS7 can mix it up with RV... JS7 has a better chance at pulling off the W I think ...but we'll have to see
Hell I am even still in it, with 10 rounds left, thats 250 points if I win them all so mathematically I still have a shot!!
.I do have a clue sherpa...Its based on history. RD does not ride the edge and to beat RV he will need to. Reed tried it twice now and got bit both times. Not being a smart azz just looking at the facts. He!! I hope I am wrong cuz i want to see good raceing but i fear I might be right.
Give up guys..........BillC has done this for years. RD is a threat so he does this shit all the time. You don't see him abusing anybody else do you?
Now listen guys.. RD is in the hunt for a championship.. But, RV is the Man right now, and if RV doesnt have anything horribly go wrong, he has it won.. I dont think RD and KTM are going to be able to get that bike to go throught the whoops.. JS has bike problems also, and I think his sense of urgency is not where it needs to be.. Plus, JS is already about a cagillion points behind, so he obviously needs to stay on 2 wheels and win, and hope for a dnf or a horrible finish by RV in 2 races, as it stands right now.
Ryan Locomotive Dungey is still in this... He will only get faster on this bike..First he needs to get out and run with that little red headed Firecracker..see the speed... Dungey has the speed ..he has beaten RV before and he has had the fastest lap times many times ..To me the biggest differance between the two Ryans is the 2C's.. comfort and confidence...Ryan V is full of both...Ryan D is looking for both ..an it just takes one race to swing the BIG MO....Could be Atlanta ...you never know...guess ....thats why they line up and we sit and bench race .....lol ......
Let's see.... KTM's , Yamaha's and 2011 Kawasaki's are junk and now add Honda to the list for having " too short of a steering rake". Suzuki is a mere shadow of it's former self.......what's left? I think the top 4 would still be the top 4 on Cannondales which begs the question "How much of it is really the bike?" 90% ? 75% ? 50...20...
warrior362: dominated in his rookie year like no one else before?
You ever hear of Jeremy McGrath?
People are bringing up RV not qualifying like THAT will happen again. That was the first time ever that the champion failed to qualify. Only once or twice has the champion ever had to do the LCQ let alone fail to qualify. RV 2012 compared to RV 2011 is like Rick Johnson 1985 compared to Rick Johnson 1986. Huge difference. To try to compare this RV to what he did previously can also be akin to comparing what James Stewart did previously with what he does now. Every champion went from a guy that couldn't win to a guy that could. Even RC sucked in SX for 2 years before he went all out in preparation and became the "new" RC. In 2001 I'm sure plenty of people were waiting for RC to wad it up like he did before, but before it was all done he had 13 wins on the year.
BillC wrote: warrior462 , Not so much. ALL day it was like that, Heats, practic ect...
1st practice, Windham, Reed, Dungey, Stew then Villi 5th. Likely bike set up but anyone can have a bad or good set up. A lot of racing left to stop watching now.
RV is in the drivers seat but he cant cruise to a championship or it will bite him. Consistancy is as consistancy does.
B-KR, did Mcgrath win 10 nationals and that championship, and then follow it up with a 1-1 at MXoN in his rookie year? Thank you and goodnight.
Warrior462.........dang you beat me to it!
The SX class is starting to look like the RV1 man show but the bench racing on here is really heating up.
Some of you guy's should take this all the way to Vegas and race it out on pit bikes just after the opening ceremony.
Have to give some support to billC here.
The last 3 weeks RD5 has finished the thick end of half a lap behind RV1.
Yes there are reasons but those reason are part of racing.
It is hard to see RD5 going on a winning streak right now.
Sure things can change real quick.
But I think RV will be on a 5 race winning streak before we see him get challenged.
Its ok, BillC said RD didn't have a chance last year in the nationals either, took a DNF mechanical to give the championship to RV. RD didn't have a chance at the SX title either, but a derailed chain cost him enough points to lose the championship. Yep, no chance there. But, hey thats part of racing. RD nneded to step it up in the final races of both series and RV was the one who did.
I just find it so hilarious that some people put an asterix on Dungeys season that he totally dominated as a rookie, then the same people say RV "dominated" last year when technically he only had enough points to take both titles after a rider had a mechanical DNF in both series that cost him enough points to lose the championship. Not really domination, although he did dominate the MEC and the MXoN, and props to him for that.
RV is very confident right now, especially since he is getting such awesome starts right now. I think that is the key difference. RD and JS have sucked on their starts for a lot of the races. Add that to the fact that it seems RD can run similar lap times to anyone, except when he needs to make passes and can't. Glad to see him bumpin' Weimer out of the way, nothing against Weimer, but glad to see RD start to get aggressive at least a little.
Starts are going to determine the rest of this season. RV and JS can come through the pack on a bad start much quicker than RD has shown. If they can all get out top 3 this series is going to be good. If RV keeps getting starts, or more important the others keep getting lousy starts, its going to be a long rest of the series becasue RV is overall riding way too good. Being on the 2012 since mid summer they have really had their homework done onthat bike and it shows.
About Reed out of his comfort zone, please guys, really? A guy challenges for the lead and crashes then he is out of control? RV almot lost it a few laps earlier almost losing his front end. Guess he was also out of his comfort zone. It's racing, the track changes, lines change, riders change lines, kickers form, ruts change. Sometimes it will catch you off guard. I have gone down more times than I can count riding in control but just made a mistake. It part of the sport. Its like asking a professional basketball player to never miss a shot.
JS needs a win bad... I have never seen him look so uncomfortable on a bike before. I would have loved to have seen him on Yellow or Red this year. Even when he is not crashing he looks vey sketchy.
@Ripdown- I agree, that was not just ANY intentional takedown- it added insult to injury. I would have smacked him too- sometimes a person just needs to be smacked. I hope it isn't a sign of things to come from Malcolm.
And the award for consistently stupid comments on the Racer-X Forums time after time after time goes to CLAXTON. It was never in doubt and coming home with a comment involving rockets & comets really cemented the deal. Congratulations!!!
Motonut.... Claxton isn't very bright either... considering Haley's Comet has been observed for several thousand years.
Tell us another quote Darwin.
Motohead279
Re 1st Comment above - Yes agree starts are going to be critical. If RD can get a jump, and the tracks are "suited' to that KTM he can hopefully get up there. Stewart just seems dazed and confused right now!? Maybe Reed being out might jolt him back in to the groove. I'm going for Dunge now CR is out.
Re Comment above - Hahahahahah! Funny stuff.
I can't believe I actually read every post on this thread! The bench racing this year is almost as good as the actual racing!
@Motohead279 - You beat me to it. That guy is obviously a moron.
Motohead279.. I said he had no chance in the Nats?? Where? well with 8 moto's to go RD was 1 point out...Then what happen?? Also don't forget RD was on a bike that had YEARS of settings to fall back on..RV was on a 450 that the team never raced outdoors and he was sick at the start but as time went buy he got stonger and stronger and we see what happen. Then you bring up RD's DNF,... Well RV had a DNS so all is equle there ..NO?? RV won 6 SX races last year RD 1 win. so how is RD just as good?? To me a lot more goes into who the best is than just the points anyway because that does not tell the whole story some years. So by the way you talk if RV DNF's this week and RD takes over the points lead that would mean RD is the Best and there is no way thats the case. He would be the points leader but not the best rider.
.As for the asterix on Dungeys rookie season..Well thats because sence JS, CR and RV came back he has not proved he can beat them. Tell me when has RD passed RV, CR or JS for a win?? he NEVER has. If he did that last year I would say he is there but when the defending Champ takes 11 races to win one (with a holeshot) I am going to question it. Why some get so pissed about someones opion I don't get. Like I have said before as a Kid Jeff Ward was my Fav and one year he won the outdoor title because RJ got hurt, I was happy he won but even as a liitle boy I knew RJ was better that year and Wardy got a gift. But some RD fans can't admit RV is better right now.
Warrior: Oooops. thought we were talking about SX. Just so you know, in 2010 I was on here defending Dungey against all the asterisk nonsense to the point of being labelled a Dungey fantard, despite being an RV guy. I like them both with a slight edge going to RV, so it is tough to speak negatively about Dungey but it's all about objectivity. Dungey is clearly not going as good on the KTM. He may still be podiuming, but he clearly is not holding the same pace as last year. I don't think he expected to have to work on setup all year or he might have thought twice about the move. I predict he will still be "off" come the outdoors, too. Just slightly, but at the level they're at anything less than perfect can be a huge problem. We will see when the outdoors get here and I'm sure the Dungey crowd will never accept that possibility, but we will see if he can hang. We already know he was right there on the Suzuki outside, so it should be pretty clear cut when the time comes. Either he will be right there or he won't.
Bill C.
I see you post on here alot but your lack of intelligence with this sport caught my eye in your post above.
Dungey may only be the fouth or fifth fastest guy out there right now but look where he is in points. A close 2nd. And if RV has one bad race or crash, which we all know is very possible based on the past, RD will be the points leader, Hello! Championships arnt earned by giong balls out every race and tring to win. Its about team strategy more than anything. RD and his Decoster are very very smart when it comes to this strategy thing because they know that RD is probably not going to crash out and DNF based on the past which has never happened unless it was bike failure. Its not so much about winning races to them, its about putting all the races together and seeing who has the most points at the end.
You said that since JS, RV and CR came back he has not been able to beat them, um might want to check the point standings, cause he is beating two of those three by a big margin. These top level guys look at racing in championship form. It appears that you look at it on a lap to lap basis.
Stewart knew from the get go that the JGR Yamaha, while no doubt much better than the L&Me; Yamaha, is still well below the level of a championship bike. James went with JGR for 1) The Money 2) The NASCAR promise 3) Location (east coast)
I'm sure he figured that with his help in testing that he could quickly get that bike up to championship standards but probably didnt realize the battle it would be.
I can't believe his lap times were behind Dunge and Weiner.
GET BACK ON GREEN STEWBEEF!!!!
BillC, first off don't blow a head gasket. I have no problem admitting a rider that I am not really rooting for is the fastest rider right now. I agree RV is the man right now and everything is flowing for him, he is definately the fastest guy right now and he is definately on a confidence high and will be very hard to beat. I really dont believe though that if RD was winning, you would be looking for some "reason" why RV wasn't. But to suggest a past champion that is only 13 points down almost halfway through the series is not "in it" anymore is kind of absurd. We all have our favorite riders but if you re-read a lot of your posts with an unbiased mindset you write like RV is god reincarnated. There are a lot of things that can happen in SX. The fastest guy is not always the champion. The most consistant is. I'd rather take a championship anyday over race wins.
Also, to me comparing mechanical DNF's to crashing DNF's are like comparing apples to oranges. If you lost a championship due to one I am pretty sure you would agree.
I will say this, being ONLY 13 points back with 10 races left, you better believe he is in it. All it takes is a bad start from RV and a good start from Dungey, and Dungey can make up 3 points or so right there.. Anyone who thinks he isnt in it is stupid.. I'm not saying he will beat RV head to head of they both start up front, but in this field, a bad start is all it takes..
@SpottedMarley--Give me a break, quit making excuses for the guy. He is a grown man and can take care of himself. It has NOTHING to do with the Yamaha, he just isnt the fastest anymore, period. He hasnt raced enough in the last few years, and is getting a little older, and the new group is on it. Period. Stewart said himself in an interview with ESPN that he tried and rode EVERY bike out there, and had offers from EVERY factory team, and chose the Yamaha, because he felt it was the best bike for him. Go read the article.. Its easy to find at ESPN.GO
I think he got his words mixed up and probably means that while Dungey is "in it" he probably will not "win it" .. and I can kinda get behind that idea. Dunge really has to hope for a big crash by RV .. and now that there is nobody to pressure him, probably not gonna happen.
@Red44 you have your opinion. I have mine. Benn racing and following the sport since i was 10, I'm 36 now, so I feel like I know how to form an opinion properly.
The new Yamaha is just a horrible horrible bike. That's also my opinion. That's what these are. Opinions.
bermblaster... Please. I said more than once anything can happen but right now RD is not beating RV without some luck IE: bad stat, crash ect. as for me saying that since JS, RV and CR came back he has not been able to beat them, ...Well like I said above, with out a bad start or a crash he Has Not beat them. BUT RV CR and JS have ALL passed RD. RD has NOT passed them other then when there on the ground. I know full well its all about points but when I say RV is Better that is Not in the equation for me its about who is better. Sure like I have said 100x's RD can win races and the title but something will have to happen to RV for that to happen. as far as what I know about the sport anytime you care to go at it let me know.
Hey motohead & Motonut, you boys spout out things without facts. Like RD having a chance against RV when he constantly runs times that would leave him the minimum of 8 seconds behind in 20 laps if they started even. Since the motocross of nations RV has used him for practice and the only time he sees him is when he looks across the track. This is not Nascar where point racing alone wins championships without some kind of intervention. Reed never beat JS or RC while RD has never beaten RV when everyone finished the season.
RD is a good motocross rider that is a given but RV is in the exceptional class with every ingredient available to a hero. RD is probably the worse passer in history that won championships. As for getting starts well it seems I saw JS smoke by RD a lot, I am not a JS fan but he does have speed and can pass.
As for RV almost going down in a turn, well no one goes through corners like he does and you don't destroy yourself if you crash there. But the key thing is he did Not crash did he?
As of today going to a supercross race is like going to the Kentucky Derby and seeing 1 thoroughbred, 1 ? (js), and 18 mules on the gate, and I do love it so. There should always be a dominate rider in motocross just look what McGrath and Carmichael did for this sport.
Motohead279 I am a VERY calm person so don't worry LOL. My point is RD is not going to beat RV if there running 1-2 and you seem to agree with that so unless something happends to RV tell me how RD is still in it? see my point now? Yes anything can and does happen but without it happeninmg RD's chances look slim to me. as for saying "There are a lot of things that can happen in SX. The fastest guy is not always the champion" Most times it is, See RC, MC, RV the list goes on.
> .Now this one you said "I really dont believe though that if RD was winning, you would be looking for some "reason" why RV wasn't" At this point yes there would need to be some reason because RV is faster like You also said. NOW if RD passes RV I have no problem saying RD was the man that day but in SX it has not happen in over 25 races, maybe more( and don't tell me RD passed him last race last year cuz thats a BS pass and I think you would agree). I am just calling it how I see it. I said before in a few weeks it could change but right now RD is not there. No slite to RD either.
wow Bill C. wow. Im am going to say something totally oppisite of what you stated above.
RV can win this title but something is going to have to happen to RD. either it be a Crash, bad race, in order for him to lose the title..
I go by statastics alot, and they dont let me down very often. I may be the only one on the forum to say RD will have the points lead before its over. And i guess im an idiot. Lets all wait and see. talk to you later Bill c.
And don't forget- Jacksonville is coming.
bermblaster... He could but I would like to see the Odd's on that. I have to ask what statastics you are looking at?? Would love to see that as well.
Yes bill c. Your right your the only one who thinks rd has a chance his bike will let him
Down its awesome he's even this close on that p.o.s nobody will beat villipoto
Hey bermblaster, I would love to see those statistics your refer to that never let you down. Try this statistic on for size, RV over came a zero point race last year to win the title because he knocked off the most wins. Here is what will happen to RD after 4 more RV wins he will be 25 back and out even if he finishes second. If I were you I would not bet on RD unless you get 25-1 odds.
Here are some statistics, A slower rider that has trouble passing on a bike that still has setup problems. A rider that has not come close to running up to speed yet and obviously not good off the gate this year. Yes he finishes on the podium but so far back he cannot see RV let alone catch him. When CR went out the pathway to gold for RV was red carpeted.
Anythign can happen - of course - but assuming some major 'anything' does not hapen to RV, it is pretty hard to see RD ripping something like 8 wins in the last 10 that he woudl need to beat RV. I hope to see it! But doubtful. As annoying as it might be to have to agree with billc, I have to (just messin with you bill!). Is RD out? No way. But is it likely? Nope.
BKR - don't beat me up - cause I know it contractually can't happen. But sure wish we coudl pop JS7 onto the 22 bike and one way or the other end this 'it's the bike' thing.
@spottedmarley, understand that this is just opinions out here, but my question is, If Stewart was offered a ride on every factory team except Kawi (according to his interview) then why would he choose to ride a "horrible, horrible" bike, as you put it?? He says he rode every bike out there, and liked the JGR Yamaha the best. I think its excuses because a favorite isnt winning, and they cant admit thier guy just isnt the fastest out there..
@ Red44............The bike excuse is just convenient and easier to accept than the many reasons he is not performing like firing Aldon Baker, not racing the nationals, not being focussed (cough TV and Nascar), and straight up not being as good as the new wave of riders. We all see how much of a rush he is in to get going again even after a bump and stall. My opinion is that racing is too much work for him now, oodles of natural talent are great but we've all heard interviews from him in the past about how he doesn't practice starts, doesn't even ride that much, etc. He doesn't have the work ethic required to win in this field, get over it. Apparently all the brands of bikes are garbage now since the Yamaha excuses started flying.
@Red44 - I already answered your question.
1) JGR has $ (Stewart loves them benjies)
2) JGR offers NASCAR after MX (Stewart has publicly stated that's his plan)
3) JGR is in the South East near FL (Stewart has also publicly stated that this is big advantage and that he "hates" southern California)
Now if you're Stewart, you are obviously not going to say publicly, "Yeah the bike is bad, but look at everything else I get"
No, he's going to say, "I rode everything else and this is the best bike"
Actually I think I remember him not actually saying the bike is the best but that the JGR TEAM is the best choice for him. Don't quote me but I would bet money on those words.
When you have Stewart's ego I would imagine that it's pretty easy to convince yourself that no matter how bad the bike is (and I would bet it was at least better than the L&M bike) you can make it competitive with your magic skillz.
But that hasn't happened yet.
I think he may actually be right for hte most part, and I would not be surprised to see him start winning regularly on it, and that's because Stewart really is pretty awesome.
@ SpottedMarley.............So when Stewart wins again the bike is still crap and he is just that much better than everyone else? Haha whatever, before Reed crashed he was on his way to 4th just like last year. Stewart won lots of heat races and mains last year on that "piece of crap", the problem is between his ears.
Oh and just for clarity sake, I don't think Stewart's Yamaha is "horrible horrible" .. I'm talking about the stocker when I say that. In my opinion the 2012 is crap, and I promise I've ridden one a few times. Two different bikes actually.
JGR are masters at modifying race machines so I can imagine his YZ is lightyears beyond a stock YZ.. and I think they will eventually get it in the ballpark of a championship caliber bike, but not yet, and hopefully soon
LOL Waldo.... Welcome to the dark side... agreeing with me is good for you :-)
Totally agree with you MxPete. Reading the stuff on these forums and good entertainment. Alot of funny stuff.
Bill C should change his username to
"Racer X forum Professional. Im always right so dont argue with me"
"Racer X forums Moderator. LMFAO.
Annd bermblaster can change his to dodge the question. Two people asked about your "statastics" that show Rd will win. come on show us!!!
ill show ya after the vegas finale, that'll shut ya up. ha ha jk. Thats just what i hope will happen. Man you guys get really worked up on these forums. pretty funny
the funny part is that this isnt a forum
You know.... I was gonna let Claxton's further ridiculous comments go, kinda like letting "stupid is as stupid does" type thing.... but... damn it I'm gonna respond anyways;
"CR never beat RC or JS" hey Claxton? Really!!!!! You are clearly new to the sport. Go back and research a little more man before you sprout that type of BS on this "forum" (and yes Spotted whatever you are that's what I'm calling it so get over it) Ask RC himself.
You are so subjectively blinded you are unable to objectively (you can look up those big words' meaning on google) see anything else with reason. Kinda like all the "RV is god and unbeatable" folk on here. (Nuthuggers was the term used wasn't it?)
BrAAAAAHT!
@CLAXTON-- YOu are very wrong, in one post you stated that Reed never beat RC or Stewart. guess what. Reed beat Stewart just last year in points, and was and still is actually waxing Stewart this season. He just gave up at the very least 22 points and is still ahead of Stewart. RD was leading in the points when RV went down in St. Louis, so you cant say Dungey backed into that because he was ahead in points at the time of the accident..
Let's not forget RV crashed and ended his year riding on the edge in 2009 while competing with Dungey.
Reed looked completely in control up until that crash. He did not look to be riding beyond his comfort zone at all. I don't understand why some people are saying that. He had RV's number in Dallas.
There are no asterisks beside any champions name. You race who shows up.