Sign of the Lap Times: RedBud
Tuesday, July 10, 2012 | 2:30 PMAs the scorching sun laid to rest atop historic RedBud USA, round six of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships began under sweltering conditions. Unfazed by the heat, and the headlines of the return of James Stewart, Ryan Dungey rode to perfection at what has become the Woodstock of motocross, capturing his eighth straight moto win and his fourth consecutive overall.
The unpredictability of the 250 Class may be creeping toward predictability as Blake Baggett used two come-from-behind moto wins to take the overall and extend his points lead. The unfathomable late race charges from Baggett has seemed to perplex the other members of the Fab Four -- Barcia, Roczen and Tomac -- leaving them searching for answers as the series heads to Millville.
Let's get to the lap charts to see how it all broke down.
450 Class
Moto 1
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 2:05.556 | 2 | 2:09.004 | Ryan Dungey |
| 2 | 6 | 2:07.281 | 2 | 2:14.488 | James Stewart |
| 3 | 16 | 2:08.684 | 2 | 2:19.227 | Christian Craig |
| 4 | 2 | 2:09.441 | 10 | 2:11.540 | Jake Weimer |
| 5 | 3 | 2:09.566 | 9 | 2:11.817 | Justin Brayton |
| 6 | 4 | 2:09.748 | 9 | 2:12.393 | Tyla Rattray |
| 7 | 5 | 2:10.034 | 2 | 2:12.872 | Broc Tickle |
| 8 |
35 | 2:10.923 | 3 | 2:13.259 | Nico Izzi |
| 9 | 12 | 2:11.678 | 2 | 2:14.088 | Andrew Short |
| 10 | 7 | 2:12.138 | 5 | 2:14.732 | Cole Thompson |
Moto 2
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 2:07.882 | 4 | 2:11.156 | Ryan Dungey |
| 2 | 2 | 2:09.199 | 5 | 2:13.612 | Mike Alessi |
| 3 | 3 | 2:10.426 | 5 | 2:14.087 | James Stewart |
| 4 | 6 | 2:11.777 | 6 | 2:15.801 | Andrew Short |
| 5 | 5 | 2:11.829 | 7 | 2:15.221 | Tyla Rattray |
| 6 | 4 | 2:12.158 | 6 | 2:14.596 | Justin Brayton |
| 7 | 20 | 2:12.186 | 8 | 2:19.629 | Jake Weimer |
| 8 |
7 | 2:12.560 | 4 | 2:16.366 | Josh Grant |
| 9 | 9 | 2:12.726 | 3 | 2:16.559 | Broc Tickle |
| 10 | 8 | 2:13.944 | 5 | 2:16.314 | Cole Thompson |
Ryan Dungey’s undressing of the 450 Class continued at RedBud. Even with James Stewart on the line, Dungey blitzed the field en route to moto wins of over forty and thirty seconds. Using attacking lines, Dungey was able to set the fastest lap in both motos, which were nearly two seconds faster than his next closest competitor.
For the first time all season privateer Cole Thompson made the top ten fastest lap times of the 450 Class, sneaking in with the 10th fastest laps of both motos. Thompson, who many thought jumped to the professional ranks too soon after only reaching the B class of the amateur ranks, still has a lot to prove, but on a blistering hot day in southern Michigan he showed everyone that the speed and potential are there. He just needs to find the consistency to match.

Dungey set the fastest lap in both motos en route to the overall.
Simon Cudby photo
250 Class
Moto 1
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 2:07.705 | 14 | 2:10.443 | Blake Baggett |
| 2 | 2 | 2:09.076 | 3 | 2:11.478 | Justin Barcia |
| 3 | 5 | 2:10.162 | 12 | 2:12.734 | Eli Tomac |
| 4 |
3 | 2:10.271 | 4 | 2:11.726 | Ken Roczen |
| 5 | 4 | 2:10.757 | 5 |
2:12.070 |
Marvin Musquin |
| 6 |
6 | 2:13.580 | 11 | 2:15.073 | Wil Hahn |
| 7 | 39 | 2:13.867 | 2 | 2:22.388 | Phil Nicoletti |
| 8 | 10 | 2:13.904 | 11 | 2:17.553 | Jason Anderson |
| 9 | 7 | 2:14.058 | 5 | 2:15.821 | Blake Wharton |
| 10 | 8 | 2:14.358 | 2 | 2:16.378 | Kyle Peters |
Moto 2
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 2 | 2:07.385 | 4 | 2:11.598 | Justin Barcia |
| 2 | 1 | 2:07.588 | 2 | 2:10.440 | Blake Baggett |
| 3 | 3 | 2:10.195 | 8 | 2:11.504 | Eli Tomac |
| 4 | 4 | 2:10.794 | 7 | 2:12.519 | Marvin Musquin |
| 5 | 6 | 2:11.858 | 7 | 2:14.613 | Ken Roczen |
| 6 | 7 | 2:12.415 | 5 | 2:15.953 | Gareth Swanepoel |
| 7 |
5 | 2:12.825 | 6 | 2:14.065 | Wil Hahn |
| 8 |
8 | 2:13.066 | 7 | 2:15.734 | Tommy Weeck |
| 9 |
12 | 2:13.148 | 8 | 2:16.347 | Blake Wharton |
| 10 |
9 | 2:14.218 | 2 | 2:17.010 | Jessy Nelson |
He’s a beast. He’s a monster. He’s not human. Those have been some of the words used to describe Blake Baggett and his propensity for throwing down the gauntlet late in the race. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki backed rider has gone on such a tear down the stretch it makes you wonder what would happen if he actually got the early lead (well, besides crash it away like he did in moto two).
With that being said we decided to dig a little deeper into Baggett’s two come-from-behind moto wins at RedBud. For the first twelve laps GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia and Baggett were running very similar lap times in both motos ranging in the 2:08 to 2:10 range, on average. But the determining factor in both motos was from lap 13 on. Baggett kicked it into another gear down the stretch run, swallowing up a defenseless Barcia in process, en route to a 1-1 performance. Check out the lap charts below for further examination.
Moto 1|
Lap |
Blake Baggett | Justin Barcia |
| 13 | 2.11.127 | 2.13.808 |
| 14 | 2.07.705 | 2.11.162 |
| 15 | 2.10.233 | 2.13.461 |
| 16 | 2.14.006 | 2.15.745 |
|
Moto 2 |
||
| Lap | Blake Baggett | Justin Barcia |
| 13 | 2.10.900 | 2.13.114 |
| 14 | 2.11.693 | 2.13.231 |
| 15 | 2.13.600 | 2.16.181 |
| 16 | 2.14.422 | 2.19.395 |
The intensity of the 250 Class has turned it into a "go until you blow up" battle, with riders pouring every last ounce of strength they have into every lap, right from the start. Barcia is darned close to being able to run that torrid pace, er, not run a pace but just run flat out, the whole time. Close. But Baggett has proven he can go all the way to the end. Until someone else does, we'll be calling him inhuman many more times.

Blake Baggett captured his second straight overall at RedBud.
Simon Cudby photo
WMX Class
Moto 1
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 2:25.549 | 5 | 2:29.035 | Ashley Fiolek |
| 2 | 2 | 2:25.828 | 3 | 2:29.725 | Tarah Gieger |
| 3 | 14 | 2:32.461 | 2 | 2:55.053 | Mariana Balbi |
| 4 | 5 | 2:33.602 | 4 | 2:37.519 | Kasie Creson |
| 5 | 3 | 2:34.287 | 3 | 2:34.831 | Sara Pettersson |
Moto 2
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 2:26.324 | 4 | 2:31.338 | Ashley Fiolek |
| 2 | 6 | 2:27.094 | 4 | 2:36.652 | Tarah Gieger |
| 3 | 2 | 2:32.715 | 7 | 2:34.159 | Mariana Balbi |
| 4 | 4 | 2:32.788 | 4 | 2:34.769 | Sara Pettersson |
| 5 | 5 | 2:33.790 | 8 | 2:35.123 | Jacqueline Strong |
Ashley Fiolek didn't expect to win RedBud, heck, she wasn't even sure if she could race it at all after a big crash and concussion at Thunder Valley a month ago. But she's back in a big way, carrying the fastest lap and moto wins both times out. With series leader Jessica Patterson smarting from a broken hand, Fiolek (and Tarah Gieger) are very much still in this title chase!
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JB had the speed in moto 2 but Baggett holds it all the way till the end!! First moto av is crazy!!
Dungey is a maniac! cant wait for Millville!!!
If you think Dungey's been destroying the field lately, just wait til these next two rounds. Can't argue Millville and Washougal are his two best tracks. I can't wait for them to come my way for Southwick and Unadilla, nothing like a live MX national.
I think they should throw a couple 250's into the Open class to give Dungey some competition!
I wont soon forget Dungeys two motos. He's had plenty of impressive rides over the years and in most of them he's come up a hair short. Not this time. Impressive!
And while I continue to shake my head with Baggets charges, Barcia also shows he has no intention of rolling over the rest of the way. He'll get more wins before this is all over I'm sure of it. One bad mistake by Bagget and the series will be wide open again. I love it!
GO DUNGEY GO DUNGEY GO, great racing, GO BB
I find it interesting how the average lap times didn't change much for Blake and Justin between both moto's. Maybe Knobbywan_Kawnobi has a good itdea about giving Dungey some competition. It is interesting to watch those two over revving those motors praying they won't blow. Good racing!
Somebody help me out here. KTM built a 350 thinking it could run with the big bores. It did not really pan out . However at the same time the 250 Class runs as fast of lap times as the big bores. Memories of O'Mara on a 125 passing Thorpe on a 500. I think it was a MXDN . I do think the 450's are running a little slow due to lack of competition and so many injuries. In fact after Dungey lap times drop off dramatically. Was not that way last year. Either way great racing in the 250 class (lites is a kind of beer) . Wish they would allow a run what you bring rule . Two stroke , four stroke whatever . As long as displacement matched. Might increase attendance. Doubt whether the factory puppet ( AMA ) will ever allow . Maybe someone should start a two stroke national series. Non AMA sanctioned.Oops , getting of the topic. Just thinking
Somebody help me out here. KTM built a 350 thinking it could run with the big bores. It did not really pan out . However at the same time the 250 Class runs as fast of lap times as the big bores. Memories of O'Mara on a 125 passing Thorpe on a 500. I think it was a MXDN . I do think the 450's are running a little slow due to lack of competition and so many injuries. In fact after Dungey lap times drop off dramatically. Was not that way last year. Either way great racing in the 250 class (lites is a kind of beer) . Wish they would allow a run what you bring rule . Two stroke , four stroke whatever . As long as displacement matched. Might increase attendance. Doubt whether the factory puppet ( AMA ) will ever allow . Maybe someone should start a two stroke national series. Non AMA sanctioned.Oops , getting of the topic. Just thinking
@CZrider- makes you kind of wonder how the racing would be with Barcia, Baggett, and Dungey. Those lite beer riders were right up there with lap times. Maybe they will have to save that for the Monster Energy Cup.
For sure , but that will be more of supercross track. Harder to make up time and to pass. If they lengthen the motos you never know. Most supercross races only last 16-18 minutes. If that were the case with the outdoor Nationals lasting 16 minutes Barcia would have the points lead and Baggett would be in fifth in the points. Thanks for long motos.
Someone else will need to verify, but I'm pretty sure that except for the last lap, Dungey had the fastest lap every single lap. That's RC-like.
In both motos
Dungey did if you do not count the 250 class. I never was good at math but second moto times below
Dungey fastest lap 207.882 Lap average for race 211.156
Baggett fastest lap 207.588 Lap Average for race 210.440
Sure Dungey had more in the tank if need be. Dungey did 205's in the first moto but no need to in second moto. Nobody including #7 was a threat. Win is a win.
bagget better pack on some pounds if he's going to carry his speed over to a 450. however, i think he can still do it.
I was talking about him being fastest in every lap in the races he was in, not an imaginary race that somehow included the 250 riders.
This will be a bullet point on Aldon Bakers resume. Whatever he has Baggett doing, apparently it's working.
same displacement class racing? Two and four strokes together? Heresey!!!! We need to keep the two strokes in the back of the bus and not drinking from the public wells. This is the way the powers that be want it and who are you / us / we to question their wisdom?
Not only do they limit displacement, they hobble them with fuel restrictions. This is the most obvious case of bias and prejudice in two wheel motorsports.
Maybe a letter writing campaign to write all of the series' sponsors and news agencies to protest the biased and unfair policies practiced at the SX & MX races would be a just response. When the sponsors that bankroll these series' run & hide from this negative media attention, maybe the sactioning bodies will rethink their position.
You guys must not race the lap times are close but they would not be able to keep up in same race 250 and 450 take different lines for momentum. 450 could block out the 250 guys all day and slow them down and use the torque of the 450 to pull ahead. some of the talent in the 250's would make it interesting but the 250's would fail just like the 350 did. next year is going to be fun tons of talent and hopefully everyone healthy. Dungey is impressive I don't think people realize how fast he is going because he is so SMOOTH...GJ RD5
@DlandO23 Roczen put a hurting on the 450's during the MXDN's this past year in the mud! He passed Dungey and pulled a lead - I think that in a merged class, barcia tomac and baggett would still be top 4ish. Dudes are just faster than everyone else.
Oh I agree they would probably be battling in the top 5 they are better then most the 450 guys for sure I just don't think it would as obvious as the lap time suggest. thats all.