Opening Day, Anaheim 2010 Supercross
January 11, 2010
The opening race of the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, saw defending AMA Supercross champion James Stewart race to yet another win – this time from a position of disadvantage. Stewart proved his pedigree when he came from behind against Ryan Dungey, who led the champ by a margin of four seconds plus until the 17th lap when Stewart heroically passed Dungey and claimed the first scalp of the year. Almost 44,000 Supercross fans filled Anaheim’s Angel Stadium and they weren’t disappinted by this nail-biting opener to the year’s supercross calendar. Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto was nitially vying with Stewart for second place, but Stewart negated the Villipoto threat and romped home in style. Expect to see a lot more from Villipoto this supercross season though, as well as ex-champ Floridian Chad Reed, who started in sixth place.
Reed, who finished overall second last year, was forced to pull off the Anaheim racetrack after a collision with North Carolina’s Austin Stroupe that damaged some of the spokes in his wheel.
“I was at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Reed said. “The pace is really high right now, and there was nothing that I could do. I was trying to pass another rider and our lines came together.” Nice to see the champ is still as gentlemanly as ever! it’s personalities like Reeds that make people want to buy Supercross tickets and watch these races live. It gives motorcycle racing fans a reason to believe they are witnessing skills and glories achieved by heroes, unlike a lot of the tarnished stars of other sports.
Stewart was riding a San Manuel Yamaha, and seemed to take his time to finally pass Dungey. Perhaps bolstered by his earlier lead, Dungey attempted to retake the pole on the final lap of the race. Stewart’s vast experience enabled him to hold on to his position for a seventh career Angel Stadium triumph. Kevin Windham finished third, occupying the place that Reed would surely have made had he not collided with Stroupe earlier. All in all it was an awesome opening day, which was started by KISS guitarist Ace Frehley playing the national anthem. Check it out!
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