by Chase Stallo
Sign of the Lap Times: St. Louis
Tuesday, March 5, 2013 | 2:35 PM
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PrintTake a deep dive inside the lap charts with this week's Sign of the Lap Times.
450SX Class
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 1 | 49.369 | 6 | 50.476 | Ryan Villopoto |
| 2 | 5 | 49.799 | 7 | 51.153 | Justin Barcia |
| 3 | 2 | 49.843 | 15 | 50.769 | James Stewart |
| 4 | 4 | 49.879 | 7 | 50.865 | Ryan Dungey |
| 5 | 6 | 49.883 | 8 | 51.531 | Davi Millsaps |
| 6 |
3 | 50.134 | 17 | 50.797 | Chad Reed |
| 7 | 7 | 50.493 | 7 | 51.742 | Mike Alessi |
| 8 |
13 | 50.583 | 14 | 52.585 | Eli Tomac |
| 9 | 8 | 50.641 | 11 | N/A | Trey Canard |
| 10 | 9 | 50.980 | 18 | 51.908 | Justin Brayton |
| 11 | 10 | 51.040 | 9 | 51.936 | Andrew Short |
| 12 | 11 | 51.120 | 13 | 52.042 | Broc Tickle |
| 13 | 18 | 51.159 | 7 | 52.076 | Weston Peick |
| 14 | 15 | 51.286 | 7 | 53.071 | Matt Goerke |
| 15 | 12 | 51.207 | 14 | 52.411 | Jake Weimer |
| 16 | 14 | 51.286 | 7 | 53.071 | Jimmy Albertson |
| 17 | 17 | 51.449 | 6 | 53.204 | Robby Kiniry |
| 18 | 16 | 52.481 | 7 | 54.705 | Kyle Partridge |
| 19 | 19 | 53.979 | 2 | 54.014 | Phil Nicoletti |
| 20 | 20 | DNF | DNF | DNF | Kyle Chisholm |
* The data for lap number four was skewed due to a red flag restart. Therefore we were unable to use lap four data. Also, the average lap time for Trey Canard was skewed. We were unable to use the data regarding his average lap time.
450SX
- Ryan Villopoto regained his spot atop the fastest lap throne with a 49.369 on lap 6.
- Ryan Dungey was on fire down the home stretch, setting eight straight laps under 51 seconds to end the race.
- Chad Reed made some major changes to his setup in St. Louis and it seemed to work as Reed collected his second podium of the year. Reed started hot with eight of his first nine laps under 51 seconds. Unlike previous weeks, Reed put together a strong finish as well, wrapping up his race with eight straight laps under 51 seconds.
- James Stewart also set a torrid pace early, turning seven of eight laps under 51 seconds.
- The latest, fastest lap of the night belonged to Justin Brayton who laid down a 50.980 on lap eighteen.
Comparison
Ryan Villopoto vs. James Stewart
* The data for lap number four was skewed due to a red flag restart. Therefore we were unable to use lap four data.
Let’s not continue to beat a dead horse here. The scenario that played out between Ryan Villopoto and James Stewart has been well documented, so let’s dig a little deeper into the lap times to see where RV gained and lost ground in St. Louis.
| Lap | Ryan Villopoto | James Stewart |
| 2 | 50.929 | 49.919 |
| 3 | 52.932 | 52.905 |
| 5 | 50.246 | 50.232 |
| 6 | 49.369 | 50.173 |
| 7 | 49.617 | 50.188 |
| 8 | 50.713 | 50.521 |
| 9 | 49.662 | 50.711 |
| 10 | 50.713 | 50.477 |
| Avg | 50.522 | 50.640 |
| 11 | 49.919 | 51.243 |
| 12 | 52.526 | 53.651 |
| 13 | 49.798 | 50.077 |
| 14 | 50.193 | 51.905 |
| 15 | 50.188 | 49.843 |
| 16 | 50.161 | 50.106 |
| 17 | 49.8 | 49.917 |
| 18 | 50.333 | 50.101 |
| 19 | 50.354 | 51.026 |
| 20 | 51.228 | 50.855 |
| Avg | 50.450 | 50.872 |
There is no denying that RV was en fuego on Saturday, but Stewart was right there with him every step of the way. The two averaged a blistering pace that hardly ever left the 50-second mark. But RV was a notch better in the first half and then turned things up a little more to separate himself from Stewart and the rest of the pack late in the race. As you can see, it's all coming down to a scant few tenths of a second.
Ryan Villopoto set the fastest lap of the night in St. Louis.
Simon Cudby photo
250SX Class
| Lap Rank | Finish | Best Lap | In Lap | Avg Lap Time | Rider |
| 1 | 2 | 49.795 | 6 | 50.598 | Dean Wilson |
| 2 | 1 | 50.232 | 14 | 50.880 | Wil Hahn |
| 3 | 3 | 50.388 | 2 | 51.545 | Blake Wharton |
| 4 | 4 | 50.812 | 6 | 51.719 | Marvin Musquin |
| 5 |
5 | 51.029 | 12 | 52.064 | Jeremy Martin |
| 6 | 11 | 51.814 | 5 | 53.803 | Gavin Faith |
| 7 |
8 | 51.819 | 5 | 52.825 | Cole Thompson |
| 8 | 16 | 51.821 | 10 | 53.061 | Justin Hill |
| 9 | 7 | 51.865 | 5 | 53.057 | Jimmy Decotis |
| 10 | 10 | 52.142 | 5 | 53.521 | PJ Larsen |
| 11 | 9 | 52.149 | 7 | 53.078 | Zach Bell |
| 12 | 6 | 52.512 | 6 | 53.276 | Vince Friese |
| 13 | 13 | 52.519 | 3 | 53.539 | AJ Catanzaro |
| 14 | 12 | 53.065 | 14 | 53.771 | Zack Freeberg |
| 15 | 19 | 53.091 | 3 | 55.452 | Lance Vincent |
| 16 | 14 | 53.104 | 5 | 54.464 | Kyle Hussey |
| 17 | 15 | 53.128 | 7 | 55.113 | Mitchell Oldenburg |
| 18 | 18 | 53.460 | 7 | 54.314 | Daniel Herrlein |
| 19 | 20 | 53.506 | 7 | 54.156 | Shawn Rife |
| 20 | 17 | 54.104 | 6 | 55.318 | Levi Kilbarger |
250SX
- For the third consecutive week, Dean Wilson would set the fastest 250SX lap of the night with a 49.795. Wilson would also set the fastest average time of the night with a 50.598. How is this possible considering Wil Hahn won the race? It’s actually pretty simple. Lap 1 is NOT counted toward your average time due to the fact that the rider does not complete a full lap.
- Wilson was the only 250SX rider to set a lap time under the 50-second mark. Wilson’s 49.795 marked the second fastest lap of the night (250/450 combined), bested only by Ryan Villopoto’s 49.369.
- Wil Hahn and Wilson were the only riders in 250SX to set all of their laps under 52 seconds.
- Receiving heavy pressure from Dean Wilson down the stretch, Hahn turned it up a notch, ending the race with five straight laps under 51 seconds.
- The latest fastest lap of the night would belong to Hahn and Zack Freeberg, who both set their fastest laps of the night on lap fourteen. Hahn had a 50.232 and Freeberg a 53.065.
- Blake Wharton joined Wil Hahn and Dean Wilson as the only three riders to set all of their laps under 53 seconds.
- Only six riders’ average lap times were under 53 seconds, compared to fifteen in 450SX.
Comparison
Wil Hahn vs. Dean Wilson
Following his second consecutive runner-up finish in St. Louis, Dean Wilson told Racer X’s Jason Weigandt, “I think I proved to myself that I’m the fastest,” and that he just needs to “put it all together.” As mentioned earlier, Wilson did prove to be the fastest in St. Louis—setting the fastest 250 lap of the night and the fastest average lap time. Let’s go deeper into the lap charts to see where Hahn may have picked up time.
| Lap | Wil Hahn | Dean Wilson |
| 2 | 50.948 | 51.128 |
| 3 | 50.899 | 51.058 |
| 4 | 51.009 | 50.481 |
| 5 | 50.883 | 50.216 |
| Avg | 50.934 | 50.720 |
| 6 | 50.728 | 49.795 |
| 7 | 51.043 | 50.664 |
| 8 | 51.042 | 50.462 |
| 9 | 51.388 | 50.812 |
| 10 | 51.072 | 50.731 |
| Avg | 51.054 | 50.492 |
| 11 | 50.537 | 50.408 |
| 12 | 50.997 | 50.445 |
| 13 | 50.904 | 51.853 |
| 14 | 50.232 | 50.367 |
| 15 | 50.641 | 49.963 |
| Avg | 50.662 | 50.607 |
We divided the race into three segments: the first four laps, the middle five and the last five. According to the data provided by the AMA, Hahn was slower than Wilson in all three segments. Wilson was a bit faster in the first segment, and then really made up ground through the middle of the race. But once the pressure mounted on Hahn late, he picked the pace back up and nearly matched Wilson’ 50.607 average lap time on the final five laps, averaging 50.662.
Wilson set the fastest lap of the night in 250SX.
Simon Cudby photo
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WOW CR almost a full second off from RV, not how you get it done.
Very interesting - RV really spanked everyone else as far as the quickest lap goes (assuming he didn't cut the track or something - had to get in a jab!). Also interesting that Reed didn't have any great laps put together enough really good ones to get on the box. Finally, Alessi not only beat Tomac and Canard overall, but also beat their fastest laps. Maybe some good "motocross style" dirt made the difference. It would take one hell of a crystal ball to correctly guess the podium spots for Daytona!
@Agman--Everyone was almost that far back from RV--Stewie wasnt as close as the writers are trying to make it.. It was an RV type of track, no doubt about it.. Remember Reed is still having knee problems--just because the press and Racer X arent writing an entire column on Reeds knee, it is still giving him trouble.. Reed sys it swells up during the week and makes it hard to bend, but it is what it is.. RV was flying, lets see if he can keep it up at Daytona.. Good to see Barcia with the 2nd fastest lap time..If it wasnt for the late mistake, he would have been 2nd instead of 5th.. But he made the mistake under some pressure.. I think he still gets a little tight when he is battling the top guys..
Chad rode better because he saw #7 up front... Had the flag incident not taken place, Reed and Dungey would have been further back as Stewart, Dirty Bam and RV were already pulling away... they pulled away again after the flag bunch up, well RV and Stewart did that is, Dirty Bam screwed allowing Stewart , Reed and Dungey by....RV was clearly the man on saturday....Barcia was quick, but a little ragged.... James again rode pretty darn flawless and his qucikest lap on 15 towards the end - man he must be out of shape
Alessi hanging out at Stewarts may have helped out a bit....good start and rode better than he has all year....
RV's corner speed is ridiculous. He is visibly faster in the turns than anyone. In 180s, he is wideopen before he even makes his turn - slowdown on entry and then power is back on. Easy to talk about, but difficult to execute, even for the pros. Even in 90s, he just carries more speed. I always thought that Stewie's corner speed was unmatchable, but the bar has been raised. If James can get his corners that dialed, everyone out there will be in trouble.
When it comes to form in the corners, I got to give an honorable mention to Wil Hahn. He was killing those corners in STL.
@bd200 - Yeah, RV was definitely able to stretch it out towards the end and was in no question the fastest rider on the track that night. Riders always talk about picking up tenths of a second here and there, so it really goes to show what an extra .4 seconds on average can do for a guy.
I figured Reed would have been a lot closer than that. Still looked the best he has all year but still has work to do. Like I have been saying for weeks once we get a real track you will see that RV is a step above the rest. Just hope RV gets a clean start this weekend and if he does it will not end well for the other 19 guys.
KilloMoto RV was lucky to hold on the whole way also!! I don't think he will have enough in the tank for 20 laps at Daytona!!
@KIlloMoto--Dirty Bam?? Really?? So what has he done dirty in the last 2 seasons of racing anyway?? How old are you???
@BillC--why would you think RV cant race for 20 laps all of a sudden.. He hasnt faded at all the entire season..
easy BD200...im just calling him Dirty Bam for the day since he thinks other riders are dirty....just silly ..I dont think he is any more "dirty" than the next guy....certainly is agressive - which is fine - but saying Stewart is dirty??? I just find it amuzing....
BillC - you baggin too?? Hahaa... Some folks say James is out of shape...or like some said last week " James is fat "...like the guy or not...he is in shape and doing pretty good with the ACL issues......RV is a machine and could probably go another 20
@ramair did you look at the average lap time for Reed.Yes it was more than enough goods laps to get there.
New FMOTP!!! (Line is cast, LOL!)
As is the case every week, the only time that matters is the avg lap time. That's the one that tells who finished where. Everything else is conjecture and supposition. This week's race was interrupted - so the individual lap times mean even less than normal.
Same FMOTP as last year!
Same FMOTPT as last year (Fastest Man On The Practice Track)
Consider changing the moniker to FMOTRT (Fastest Man On The Race Track)
@rdub934: Definitely agree on RV's corner speed. I re-watched this race more than usual (flag-gate and all...), and I was in awe of RV's cornering. I watched the whole race in slow-mo. Amazing how early in the corner he's on the gas.
bd200 me and killomoto are just joking around because some dude in another thread said he does not think RV will be able to hold on for 20 laps at daytona but he thinks Tomac can. he said a bunch of stuff that made no sence at all.
..RV is an MONSTER!!!
Noooo, guys!
You don't know what are you talking about!
Stewart is the fastest!!!! Ever!!!
Those lap times don't tell a thing! They must be fake! RV cheated and if not for Red Cross flag........!!!
Just to beat a dead horse... RV gapped everyone in the next 3-4 laps after his cheap move. I'm not saying James was better last Saturday, Poto was on a tear, but....Once James broke free of Barcia and Reed, he actually made time back up on RV in laps 15-20. The result could have been different, sucks that the flags screwed it up.
And yes, RV did cheat, twice.
Anyone think else think #15 is gonna kill it on a 450? second fastest overall lap time, and average lap times! Can't wait for Daytona.
rv got the gap when he passed on the yellow he should have waited and passed him straight up
Wilson's 250 time was only beaten by Villopoto's 450 time.