by Andy Bowyer
Rev Up: Anaheim 3
Thursday, January 31, 2013 | 2:55 PM
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PrintHello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up. It was your typical southern California day with t-shirt weather in the pits under the sun, then a hoody to knock down the cool air under the lights. I stood with some friends on the upper deck above rider seating holding a beer and preparing for the night’s racing. There was a constant static and everyone was talking about Ricky Carmichael beating Jeremy McGrath in San Diego. Carmichael had now beaten "The King of Supercross" a couple times, one being Daytona, then now in a stadium. Showtime fought back after a slam session at the second Anaheim and it was undecided if the torch had been passed. There are moments that bury themselves in your mind and the capacity crowd was on the cusp of, something, and they seemed to know it.
My buddies and I were elbowing each other watching the two roll out for the parade lap and I can still see the sparkle off of McGrath’s spokes. No racer has ever owned swagger like Jeremy McGrath and he could make simply coasting along look cool. He was wearing new custom No Fear gear and there were rumors of him doing something big for opening ceremonies. Anaheim was his house and as his elbows rose to tackle the first couple jumps, the fans stood up. He nor they seemed to pay much mind the rider in his shadow who seemed to be content in letting both have their moment. Noise climbed from the crowd as the duo approached the triple, then it happened. McGrath floated his way up the takeoff and seemed to fidget with his left glove, then the focus changed. Carmichael sent one of those whips he used to do where you gasp at first thinking he was crashing. There was a brief silence mid flight, then the crisp scream of RC’s KX250 panic revving his whip back under control brought a thundering roar from the fans. McGrath had won 72 supercross main events to that point and he is still the King of Supercross.
Davi Millsaps (18) looks to keep the rest of the pack at bay and retain the red plate another week.
Simon Cudby photo
This weekend marks the 12th anniversary of this moment in history as the charge returns to Anaheim for round five of the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross series. While still in its infant stages, the series is maturing into a championship points chase that will make for some fantastic live television this Saturday night. That’s right, LIVE on SPEED! There is so much positive energy fueling the race to come and we should all as fans be grateful that our heroes remain somewhat intact. Continuing to race the best SX of his career, Rockstar Energy Racing’s Davi Millsaps extended his point lead over Muscle Milk Honda’s Trey Canard to seven following his runner up finish at Oakland. Meanwhile the defending champion, Ryan Villopoto and his Monster Energy Kawasaki have dominated the last 40 laps of competition and is only eight points shy of the red plate. The 20 laps to come hold the opportunity to change the tide of the series and he is primed to do just that.
Few things make a sport greater and fuel fans excitement like a points chase. Former champion’s Ryan Dungey and Chad Reed are still alive, but need to begin a push right now so they can leave California firmly in the game. Reed suffered his first poor finish in Oakland, while Dungey produced his best showing of the series with renewed aggression and speed. Those two are the hunters and will be attacking the consistent Canard and the steadfast Millsaps. There is so much racing remaining, but both champions know it is time for them to roll. They need to feel the confidence of leading the pack and find the flow that placed #1 plates on their mantle.
Speaking of positive energy, Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen has felt the warmth of his first supercross victory in 2013 and will push his orange machine into the starting gate with an 11-point lead. It’s a different pace for the tiddler guys with only five rounds remaining in their series. That noted, it only took a few laps for GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac to throw away the championship lead. In my opinion his biggest problem isn’t the flying German, its Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Honda’s Cole Seeley. He is the middle-man who can crack the series wide open by leading the last five laps instead of the first 10 like he has done the last two races. Suffice to say, it is going to be interesting in the 250 class from now until its conclusion. They are no preamble, rather a separate and equally compelling championship fight.
We’re over a decade removed from what I consider the most poignant moment in supercross. There have been champions that spread their glory out throughout an entire series to victory, but there are only a few instances of absolute power in overtaking. Ryan Villopoto has a chance to harness the history from Anaheim 3 and make such a statement. When Carmichael performed his feat he started outside the top ten then raced so fast his head was getting yanked back from catching backside so hard. His corner speed and momentum seemed impossible. Sound familiar? But the sport has grown and so much has changed since 2001. Davi Millsaps has just as good of a chance to race to another podium and protect the red plate. He and Canard have yet to stumble. As mentioned, we’re only four rounds into the beast. Reed, Dungey, and even James Stewart could blow the doors completely off the hinges with a breakout win. The first two bikes to the first corner last time the gate dropped were the Toyota/JGR Yamahas, and perhaps the most astonishing fact to date is Mike Alessi has yet to holeshot.
It’s time to enjoy the feeling that only supercross rewards us with and we’re going back to Angel stadium for the last time in 2013. What’s the energy going to be like for opening ceremonies? For the lucky fans that saw Anaheim 3 in 2001 and will be using the same set of eyes this Saturday night, it will be special. The series is growing and maturing, and the times they are a changing. Let’s feed off the positive rush and think about the smell of the fireworks and the sparkle of the spokes. Think about the exhilarating and uncomfortable sensation of anticipation before the gate slams down. I hope these words will have you taking it around with you until showtime Saturday night. Most of all, let's get ready to have a good time! Bring it on!
Thanks for reading, see you next week.
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Thanks for the RC vs MC picture :)
BTW - Roczen won last year in Vegas. http://vault.racerxonline.com/2011-05-07/sx-lites-w/sam-boyd-stadium
NEW TRACK NEW WINNERS lol !
Once AMA Pro Racing is feeling just a bit more of the financial strain that every other participaent in this sport is feeling, at all levels, the leadership at the AMA should step in and offer the 125cc Two Stroke class.
Ricky has enough clout that he could have pushed for this. Instead the cow-pattie arenas where the bikes never get out of 2nd gear took priority. The AMA could fix this. The AMA is too big, trying to appeal to every type of person who can ride a motorcycle. I think the mission statement becomes murky trying to keep such a large demographic happy. Yes, yes, you get a magazine every month but ask yourself what has the AMA done for you besides take your money while fundamentally changing the rules of Supercross to favor the four-stroke?
WooHoo, round 4 of the Cali SX series!!
Only what, 4 more CA races left.
Hate to break it to you Bowyer but if you would actually watch the racing you wouldn't say Canard has yet to stumble. While his finishes are all top 10 they would be better if he hadn't hit the ground so often.
Thanks for the memories Andy, you saw a slice of history when the torch was passed from the King to the GOAT, very cool...
I don't think we will see any passing of the torch this weekend. The defending Champ has shown he wants to hold on to his title by laying down some intense laps over the last 3 races. Some one will have to step up big time to challenge the Firecracker that is Villopoto.
The man who carries the Red Plate has done so honorably, being consistently up front each race. I am sure Millsaps will continue to put in valiant rides in an effort to hold on to it, but for as good as Davi has been, he will have to be even better to carry the plate east..
Canard has shown he still has a wicked scrub to go with his speed and desire, all of which were on display last week in his 16th to 4th ride. Trey does seem to be on the edge though, hands flying off the bars, near crashes and falls have also been part of his race resume in 2013. Makes you wonder what will happen when he tries to elevate his pace to match the #1 Kawasaki...
The Locomotive seemed to get back on track last weekend. Dungey showed some of his speed, logging the fastest time of the night, in his heat race. In the Main, Ryan looked even more Dungeyisque, as he recorded his best time on the 14th lap on his way to his second 3rd of the year. Until he gets a start and tries to run with RV, the questions about him will remain...
Reed and Stewart, oil and water, fire and ice...buuuzzz... "Alex, What are things that don't go together!" Some how these wily old veterans keep finding each other and in this decade, not in a good way. Both these riders, like their fans, still believe they have what it takes to win. The question is can they really, James title hopes are all but gone, like his acl, while Reed is still in the points chase, Chad has yet to run the leaders pace. These two are to old to play games, both need to show us time has not left them on the sidelines...
Barcia has been bloodied, beaten, bent and bruised over the last two weeks.To him It must seem a long ways from the high of winning at Phoenix. Every thing that can go wrong, has. They say, the most dangerous animal is a wounded animal, this could be the case with Justin. With out worry of championship pressure, Bam Bam can do what he does best, he is now free to unleash his speed on the class as he has nothing left to lose. He is who I would watch out for....
@Stantdm
Canard: Four good starts. Four top 5's. 3 podiums. He and 'Saps only two riders yet to stumble.
@Pitbull
"This weekend marks the 12th anniversary of this moment in history (RC/MC) as the charge returns to Anaheim for round five of the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross series." Big moment in SX. Another would be having RV come in and take over the point lead. Not meant to be changing of guard. This clarify it for you?
"They are no preamble, rather a separate and equally compelling championship fight." - 250s
@Stantdm Oops, 2 podiums and 3 good starts for TC41. And he did eat it pretty good in practice last week. I think he's been the 2nd most consistent rider so far.
Also were any of you readers at A3 in '01? That's where the orange gear thing started for RC as well.
Pitbull ...LOL.... You can skip my post.. Be glad you dont have to listen to me, that is even worse...
Sorry all, I did not realize I was rambling on so bad..
1. RV
2. TC
3. JB
4. CR
5. DM
Sorry guys, JS's back is against the wall. We'll see the old James, crash or win, unfortunately he crashes more than he wins. In the top 10, out of the top 5 though.
I would like to see JS and RD start 1-2 with RV in 3rd coming out of turn 3. That would be VERY sweeeeeeet!!
Great rev-up, I also will never forget the low flying whip RC put under MC as he went by- it truelly was the nail on the coffin for MC's huge win list, he never won again.
Snooz- I mostly agree but this is tough guys- I feel RD will be in top five and I do feel Barcia could be either a ball of fire or a 7th place cautious racer- I"M READY ! ! !
What about Millsaps up there too BillC?? Why no love for him, he is faster than Stewart now anyway..
I have this odd feeling that the torch that was being passed at A1 and Phoenix is about to be used by RV to beat anyone that dares come near him on raceday. That filthy animal.
@ BD25
Good thing we dont have the dirty dozen ...........LOL !!
Looking forward to this weekend for sure! Botton line? RV is king right now. This may surprise you all but I think the only rider right now that stands a chance against him straight up would be Dungey assuming him and RV are next to each other simply cuz he's gotten passed him a few times, Although not recently and only in the outdoors to my knowledge. Dungey is king in outdoors for sure.
@davidl - Yeah, I noticed I missed RD after I posted. Agreed that RD could go top 5.
Never leave home without your Deer Antler Spray !!! LOL
@pitbull you might need to change the bulb....give Andy a break...he states CLEARLY what it (rc/jm story) has to do with it.....3 paragraph 1st sentence....and the term "tiddlers" has described smaller bikes for a L O N G - L O N G time......I must agree on this weeks BD25 manifesto...he had me at "dungeyisque"...lol.....I'm hoping for a Havoc vs Bam vs RD5 vs 22 showdown this week......come out swingin and may the best man win.....RV1 g o n e.
Thanks for the great write up Andy, you had me going when you said "we’re going back to Angel stadium for the last time" alas it just means "this year"
@bd25 - haha...no worries on the novel....I have written a few lengthy posts myself...its easy to ramble about things your passionate about.....
@billc - That would be awesome....Oakland would have had RV, Saps, Reed, Stew and Dungey in the top 6 had the mele not insued.....sp we go racing again....
A3 - Who knows what will happen, but every race has been good one way or another......RV will do fine at A3 and if I had to bet, I'd see win #3 in a row for my ginger... I would like to see James get back on track and get on the box.....The speed is there - he looks good on the Suzuki and isnt making nearly as many mistakes as we saw last year...Oakland was looking pretty good for 7, but I dont think anyone was catching RVthat night .....if the knee is feeling good I still think james can make things happen.....so we'll see....cheers all!!! Rip Caleb
@ pinkfld42
If RD gets a top 3 start he may also finish off the podium......
Let's give it up for DM18 still sporting that red plate going into round 5. If RacerX won't give him any credit, I will!!
@BD25
Although you appear to have fooled one of the many borderline illiterates who reply to the RacerX features, technically, it would be "Dungey-esque."
Keep working on your creative writing ... but do not quit your day job. It is more about who you know than it is about talent. But that is rather obvious.
Just for the record, I just finished killin it at MC's Pole Position go-carts, fastest m*th**f*ck*r of the day. dolla dolla bills y'all! And I was high on the desert weed bi**hes! Shout out to J-Law too!!
Oh, and Aldo for the win for all you crossover fans who know what's up. Put yo money down!
Stewart #7 look for him to claim knee surgery after he full fills his contract with red bull I think? 7 top 10 finishes and hes paid for the year? Atlanta? maybe? If he can stay on 2 wheels? #5 RD Who's He? #51 Crash Crash oops Bam Bam? Its Any ones guess at this point which makes it actually fun to watch!
Ugh. Who wrote this, a 7th grader? There's almost nothing good about this article. Concept, mechanics and punctuation all SUCK. If you're gonna get paid to write, you need to make an effort at writing properly. The plural of 'champion' is not 'champion's'. There's a dozen other mistakes that any college freshman could have eliminated in a single edit. I'll give you my email if you need help next week, Andy. Your article above is unreadable garbage.
Kidbever, your not ready for the job either. The plural of champions IS champion's.
Can we have a decent race this weekend? Please? Make a track where these guys are on the ground at least 10% of the time with rough sections
The plural is champions sorry. My phone put an apostrophe in there, maybe word check it wrong too.
"There's a dozen other mistakes?" Or "there are a dozen other mistakes?" Plural.
The English professors are on the troll again. Beware.
Ohh, OHHH....@Osteo
It's "Dungey-esque". not "Dungey-esque."
Get edumuhcated.
Billc- lets make it exciting- the start needs to be RD, CR, DM, JB, TC, JS, RV. I say this pack leaves every one else in the dust and its the most exciting swapfest for 20 laps, RV gets the lead on lap 19 and.......