Going for the W: Ryan Dungey
Friday, July 13, 2012 | 12:30 PM
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When Ryan Dungey put himself on the map, the map read “Millville, Minnesota.”
At just 16, Dungey made his pro debut at the Spring Creek National in 2006, and he logged impressive 8-8 scores for seventh overall. Save for an odd, terrible performance in 2007, where he scored 15th overall, The Dunge has been incredible at his home track—nearly unstoppable.
It starts in 2008, when Dungey took Millville for his second-ever National win, edging Ryan Villopoto 1-2 to 2-1 to take the Lites Class overall (Dungey had only collected his first win at the previous race, at Washougal). In 2009, Dungey was locked in a heated title battle with Christophe Pourcel, but somehow the two had managed to avoid hooking up in on-track battles. Each week, they’d exchange bad starts and bad motos, and rarely did they battle each other until the second moto at Millville, when Dungey managed to pull away from some intense pressure from CP. Pourcel then crashed going after Dungey, leaving RD5 with a popular 1-1 overall win.
Can Dungey be stopped at his home track this weekend?
Simon Cudby photo
In 2010, Dungey continued his steamroll through the 450 Class with a 1-1 at Spring Creek. Finally, last year, Chad Reed handed Dungey a defeat in the first moto. But Reed’s wild ride in moto two opened the door to a Ryan Villopoto vs. Ryan Dungey battle in moto two, and Dungey ran down and passed Villopoto to take moto two and the overall.
Such great success begs the question: Does Dungey have a big advantage at his home track? We asked him:
“A little bit, but the track has changed a lot even since I was a kid racing as amateurs there,” says the Minnesota native. “They bring in a lot of sand, so that’s always changing, but it’s really good, especially when we get rain. We get a lot of rain there and the sand helps absorb that. But the rain also means a lot of that sand washes away. Johnny Martin does a good job prepping it, and the track usually makes for some great racing.
“I like it,” continues Dungey. “The track has a lot of elevation, and it’s in a pit, so the humidity can really stay down there. It’s a real test, but it’s one of my favorite stops. I’m excited to race Millville.”
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GO DUNGE !
Wish RV2 was in it to make things more interesting.
yeah dungey!!!
Hes on a roll right now, i really dont think anybody can beat him right now in my opinion even if rv2 was in there sorry to say but thats just my .2 cents. Hes riding with alot more aggression this outdoor season then in the past.
careful Weege, BillC may come out calling blasphemy on you for talking about Moto 2 of last years Millville.
@warrior462, no kidding. I was quite impressed with the class shown by RV last year after Moto 2. Said he got beat fair and square and RD was just more aggressive. I truly miss seeing RV out there. Not only for the racing competition but Villopoto (likeRD) is a class act.
Unless they are hurt, nobody is going to take a MX or SX Title from the Ryans in the next 3-4 years. These guys are just on another level.
The only question about this weekend is 'how many minutes will second place be behind Dungey?"
bet dungey laps up to 8th place
@scrubjs7snutsack......your a racist and a JS7 stalking obsessed pig....we heard you (misspelling and mumbling all the way)..oh at least 50 times a day..and the guys NOT EVEN RACING .pathetic. You know what I do for a living ...just what do you do lil scrubbles and what kind of bike do you ride (you don't race because no racer I've EVER known would rejoice at someone being injured)...i'm interested ...if you have the balls to not lie about it....or is just being in the klan your only skill set ...its not an English teacher or involved with motorcycles we know that. I wonder how Stewart would feel knowing he occupies your brain 24/7...that must be quite satisfying I would think...you can't say thats not true..as on every occasion you demonstrate the void he fills in your life...you have nothing else but him on your mind...thats f'in hilarious to me....I almost feel sorry for you...hahaha...no I don't , what a dick.
Shout out to all at the races!!!!!!!!!!
I will be watching from under lock and key at Home this week,Licking my wounds..........Stewart is almost as big as US Steel taking down the Racer x Web site last night I think the whole east coast power grid was effected...........Get well JS 7 and return 100% I've been there but havent done what you have maybe just a little...............Peace even to Tonewall Mr. Manifesto over and out.............I leave you with my latest and greatest...........Mr-Mx !!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HREAWKK4H4
Picks for Millville
250 class
1. Baggett 2. Roczen 3. Musquin 4. Martin { local Favorite }
450 picks
1. Dungey 2. Brayton 3. Wiemer 10. Dowd 18. Brown
Sorry to say Dowd will not be gettin 10th MR-MX
@ BillC
I guy can wish or hope for a miracle "Can't He" Okay I'll give in to
17th Dowd
18th Brown but that's it as low as I go
Whats your PICK!!!!!!
@tonewall - Hate to break it to but there was no racism in what Scrub-This said.
2006? Doesn't seem like Dungey has been pro racing that long.
I like that Dungey is racing the clock, because they still need to accumulate data for improving the bike. That bike will be fearsome come next season.
If I could get my "wants" addressed, I would like WP to pull out all the stops and come up with a truly innovative set of forks.......or just some really good ones. With that, I think it would be hard to beat the KTM in any comparison.
No love to Alessi eh, Mr Mx?
I got him pulling silver...........on a factory Suzuki no less.
Yeah, yeah, I know..........
@
carlsbad
Had to throw a different twist to it thats all