by Otto
16. March 2009 05:11
Stewart Answers Back with Monster Energy® Supercross Win at Superdome
Stroupe Scores Second Lites Class Win and Moves into Second Place Overall
NEW ORLEANS (March 14, 2009) – Team San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart,
of Haines City, Fla., won his eighth race of the 2009 Monster Energy®
AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season before 36,754 fans at
the Superdome. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Austin Stroupe, of
Lincolnton, N.C., won his second Eastern Regional AMA Supercross class
main event of the season and moved into second place in points standings
Stewart jumped out to an early lead with the holeshot as Reed was on
his back wheel to start the AMA Supercross class main event. After
winning the previous two races, Reed spent the 20-lap race chasing
Stewart, who put down 20 perfect laps. Reed settled for second and
Stewart moves within eight points of Reed’s championship points lead.
Yamaha’s Broc Hepler, of Kittanning, Pa., picked up his first podium of the season with a third-place finish.
“I got a great start,” said Stewart. “I had to win tonight – point
blank. I had to win. This is what I needed heading into the race next
weekend in St. Louis.”
Stroupe rocketed off to a great start in the Eastern Regional AMA
Supercross Lites class main event, picking up the holeshot and riding
to victory. GEICO Powersports’ Tyler Wharton, of Pilot Point, Texas,
trailed Stroupe through turn one in second place but crashed a few
turns later, handing the position to his teammate Daniel Blair, of
Modesto, Calif.
Current Lites class points leader Christophe Pourcel, of Corona,
Calif., started the main event in 12th place and moved into the
fourth-place position on the last lap. On lap three former AMA
Supercross Lites class champion Brandon Jesseman, of New Brighton, Pa.,
made a pass on Blair to secure the number-two position. From there it
was give and take as Jesseman would close up a bit and then Stroupe
would regain the advantage. In the end, Jesseman held his position and
picked up the first podium of his season.
Tyler Wharton’s brother Blake worked his way through the pack and
earned a career-best third place finish. “This gives me the confidence
to know that I can run up front with these guys,” said Wharton.
“It was a technical track tonight, so I had to ride smart,” said
Stroupe. “It was important to get the holeshot because I was able to
get out front and ride my own race.”
AMA Supercross Class Results, New Orleans
James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki
Broc Hepler, Kittanning, Pa., Yamaha
Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
Mike Alessi, Apple Valley, Calif., Suzuki
Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha
Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
Matt Boni, Geneva, Fla., Honda
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki, 246
James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 238
Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 179
Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 165
Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 152
Ivan Tedesco, Tallahasse, Fla., Honda, 148
Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 146
Mike Alessi, Apple Valley, Calif., Suzuki, 146
Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 139
Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 102
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results, New Orleans
Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki
Brandon Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki
Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda
Christophe Pourcel, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki
Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, KTM
Darryn Durham, Wildomar, Calif., Yamaha
Daniel Blair, Modesto, Calif., Honda
Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha
Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki
Steven Clarke, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 115
2. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 84
3. Nico Izzi, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 82
4. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki, 73
5. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, KTM, 68
6. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 66
7. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM, 57
8. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Yamaha, 51
9. Steven Clarke, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki, 51
10. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki, 50
The AMA Supercross Lites class race will air on SPEED Sunday, March 15
at 5:00 p.m. EST and the AMA Supercross class will air on SPEED Sunday,
March 15 at 6:00 p.m. EST.