Les Smith preps for R-2 of the AMA Lucas OIl Motocross Championship aboard a JGR YZ450F. Smith will be filling in for Justin Brayton.

You've already re-lived round one of the 2007 Toyota Motocross Championship from Hangtown, now let's jump into our swayback machine again and revisit round two, High Point. Remember, these are the good 'ol days of the James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael Premier class battles, Ryan Dungey getting dialed in on the Lites class, Windham still looking young and spry and Josh Hill was still a face in the front of the pack. Round one of the Monster Energy Triple Crown of Motocross kicked off at High Point as well, so mucho dinero was on the line.

High Point's podium shook out like this:

Motocross Class
1. Ricky Carmichael
2. James Stewart
3. Davi Millsaps

Lites Class
1. Josh Grant (1st AMA overall outdoors)
2. Ryan Villopoto
3. Jason Lawrence

Pre-Show - 13min 10sec
Davi Coombs and Jason Weigandt open the pre-show from High Point with a great rundown of the differences between round 1 and 2 of the 2007 Toyota Motocross Championship.

Out in the pits, the shockingly beautiful, and currently very much missed 2007 Ms. Motocross Leticia Cline is interviewing Rob Buydos about the vintage race happening throughout the weekend. Weigandt picks Millsap's brain while he warms up for practice and pulls a few interesting tidbits about High Point while at it.



Post Show - 16min 03sec
This Post Show features a montage of scenes from around the facility and a lot of familiar, but shockingly younger faces. David Pingree and Jason Weigandt chase down the details of the weekend. In the Lites class Grant ran strong out front with a familiar duo in Villopoto and Lawrence behind him.

In the Premier class Ricky Carmichael was airing out the finish line single well beyond what anyone else was capable of which helped him put some distance between him and the pack. There was some exciting racing going on between the GOAT and Stewart but at the end of the day, it was all RC4.



Coming up on Wednesday is Southwick, stay tuned! Until then, here's a preview of the action from the sandbox:

The 2010 Monster Energy Supercross Season has been dominated by 2 pairs of riders: 1 pair shows up and wins every weekend, and the other pair does not. Of course we're talking first about the two riders who have been dominating the series this season, current points leader Ryan Dungey and hot on his heels, Ryan Villopoto. That other pair is defending champ James Stewart and former champ Chad Reed, and they've been out of contention since Round 3. The story that hasn't been told is about the dynamic happenings behind the front two -- the rider who will find that final spot on the series podium -- the Best of the Rest.

Analyzing the top candidates individually, it's plain to see that consistency is what's lacking in the war for the final podium spot.

Josh Hill
Currently 3rd, 177 points. Main event results: 6, 3, 2, 2, 2, 9, 6, 9, 6
Up until four weeks ago, the answer was clear: Josh Hill. In fact, up to that point, Hill was looking like one of the three favorites for the title, as he'd nailed four 2nd place finishes in a row and seemed to have excised the demons from his past. But then the mediocre results started to pile up and, as of Daytona two weeks ago, they'd become just as common as his stellar results were earlier in the season. There was no official explanation from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians/Yamaha team as to just exactly what was going on with Josh, but Hill has stated semi-publicly that he's struggling with some broken bones that may be affecting his breathing. In other words: broken ribs. If that's the case, he should be on the home stretch of recovery by now, yet his result and riding last weekend in Canada did not show evidence of that.

Davi Millsaps
Currently 4th, 152 points. Main event results: 9, 9, 8, 3, 1, 5, 5, 3, 5, 18
The perennial under-performer, Red Bull Honda Racing's Millsaps has made a career of being inconsistent with flashes of brilliance. He's won a main event again this year (Round 5 in San Diego), but he's also barely made the top 10 a few other times, and he crashed out last weekend in Toronto and scored only 2 points. He's struggled with a sore shoulder (or two) already this year, and before he crashed out of the main in Canada, he'd also gotten tweaked in practice earlier in the day. It's a safe bet that Davi's not at his best, so the prediction here will be that Hill will be able to hold off the #18 "Big Treat" of Davi Millsaps for the final podium spot.




Kevin Windham
Currently 5th, 147 points. Main event results: 3, 6, 5, 10, 3, 3, 14, 4, 5
The undisputed veteran and elder statesman in Supercross, Geico Powersports Honda's #14 Windham has been fairly consistent this season -- at least when compared to Hill and Millsaps. He's made the final podium step on three occasions, and hovered within the top 5 four other times. Unfortunately, KDub's also fallen as far back as 14th, which is unfortunate because if that poor result is thrown out, he'd be sitting ahead of Millsaps and may be motivated enough to make a run at Hill for the 3rd spot. Based on Windham's season thus far, it's difficult to predict how the rest of his season will go, although it's safe to say he should finish ahead of Millsaps enough times to more than make up for that 5 point deficit.



Justin Brayton
Currently 6th with 136. Main event results: 8, 8, 6, 6, 5, 6, 4, 6, 18, 9
By far the most consistent rider from 3rd to 7th in points, MuscleMilk/JGR/Toyota's Brayton has been improving every weekend. No doubt benefitting recently by an even more depleted field, Brayton has been remarkably good at finishing 'just behind' the front pack every weekend. By definition, he's been the 'Best of the Rest' on several occasions, but he needs to kick it up just a bit right now to take advantage of the ailing Hill and Millsaps and the non-existant Reed and Stewart. Unfortunately, Brayton's suffering a bit from an injury sustained at Daytona which left him walking off the track after just 6 laps. His result suffered in Canada, where he finished an uncharacteristic 9th, but he's sure to smell blood in the water while a couple of the riders in front of him are also having physical troubles. If Justin can take advantage of the situation, he could potentially move into 4th in points by season's end, which would be a huge accomplishment for him.

Ivan Tedesco
Currently 7th with 135. Main event results: 7, 4, 9, 7, 3, 10, 10, 4, 18, 4
Now just a single point behind Brayton in 7th is Vali Motorsports' #9, Ivan Tedesco. Ivan's had an up and down season too, with results ranging from 3rd to 18th, with a few 4ths thrown in to balance out other mid-pack finishes. There's no question that Tedesco occasionally shows the speed that's needed to hit the podium, but when Hill gets back up to pace it's not likely he'll be able to beat him. Ivan's battle at this point is to try and land within the top 5 for the season, but to do so he'll have to overcome the consistent Brayton and speedier Windham to do it.

Beyond these 5 players, the gap in points back to Nick Wey in 8th is too large for any hope of getting into the top 5 in points. Furthermore, after examining the pack behind the two Ryans out front, it becomes apparent that the real battle may not be for 3rd, but for 4th and 5th. The wildcard Trey Canard is also shaking things up a bit, taking another point away from each of these riders each time he finishes in front of them -- and he's done so in 3 of 4 attempts thus far. Of course, that will change when Trey gets back on the Lites bike for the final two rounds, but his spot in the top 3 will likely be filled by the return of Chad Reed.

The prediction here, then, goes with Josh Hill staying right where he's at and, while he may lose a few points here and there to Millsaps or Windham, and barring any injury that keeps him out for more than a weekend, he'll end up with that final podium spot for the series.

The Lites classes in both regions is equally interesting and we'll examine that next week after the East gets another round under its belt. This weekend's race at the new Cowboys Stadium near Dallas should be a good one, and will be televised on SPEED this Sunday, March 21, beginning at 5PM EDT.

After a day filled with rain, a well-groomed track greeted riders inside San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium for the fifth round of the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship. 51,843 Southern California fans braved the weather as Davi Millsaps, of Murrieta, Calif., captured the AMA Supercross class victory. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Jake Weimer, of Rupert, Idaho, won his fourth AMA Supercross Lites class victory in five races of the Western Regional Championship.

As the gates dropped on the premier AMA Supercross class main event, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Nick Wey, of Murrieta, Calif., grabbed the SPIKE Holeshot Award, followed by Honda Red Bull Racing's Andrew Short, of Smithville, Texas, and Valli Motorsports Yamaha's Ivan Tedesco, of Murrieta, Calif. In the first corner, points leader and Rockstar/Makita Suzuki rider Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., lost his rear wheel and fell, collecting several other riders. After remounting mid-pack, Dungey fell again heading to the finish-line double and dropped to the tail end of the field. At the front, Millsaps made his move for the lead on lap three and never looked back. San Manuel Yamaha's Josh Hill, of Carlsbad, Calif., finished second while Tedesco brought home third.

"Yeah it was a good night for me," said Millsaps. "I came out on top. American Honda is the best crew in world. The tack was slick. You had to just be smooth, consistent and make no mistakes and that's what I did. It was such an amazing race and I can't explain how good it feels."

As the AMA Supercross Lites class blasted out of the gates, GEICO Powersports Honda's Trey Canard, of Shawnee, Okla., grabbed the SPIKE Holeshot Award with Weimer and teammate Blake Wharton, of Pilot Point, Texas, in second and third, respectively. Canard found trouble and went down on the first lap, allowing Weimer to get by and lead the rest of the way, inching closer to the Western Regional title.

"Yeah it was a good night," said Weimer. "I was able to get a good start right behind Trey (Canard) and unfortunately he went down. I was able to get by and I just tried to be consistent from there. The track was definitely tricky but it held up well."

Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda's Cole Seely, of Newbury Park, Calif., earned his best-career finish in second while teammate Wil Hahn, of Decatur, Texas, finished third.

Dungey currently holds a four-point advantage over Hill in the AMA Supercross standings while Weimer leads Canard by 26 points.

AMA Supercross Class Results: San Diego
1. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
2. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha
3. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
4. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
5. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
6. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
7. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Suzuki
8. Grant Langston, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
9. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha

AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 105
2. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 101
3. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 95
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 82
5. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 77
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 72
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 69
8. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 66
9. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Suzuki, 56
10. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 51

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results: San Diego
1. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki
2. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda
3. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda
4. Max Anstie, Hemet, Calif., Yamaha
5. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha
6. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
7. Phil Nicoletti, Bethel, N.Y., KTM
8. P.J. Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
9. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda
10. Chris Gosselaar, Spring Valley Lake, Calif., Honda

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 122
2. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 96
3. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 94
4. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 78
5. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda, 76
6. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 71
7. Max Anstie, Hemet, Calif., Yamaha, 63
8. Josh Hansen, Elbert Colo., Kawasaki, 56
9. Jeff Alessi, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 45
10. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 42

DC is proud to announce that it has partnered with the Pala Raceway to create the DC Moto TF, the official training facility for DC's Motocross Team. Located in San Diego County the Pala Raceway is Southern California's premier raceway and the ideal place for the DC Motocross team to train together and for DC to host its motocross programs.

"The choice of Pala Raceway was a simple one," said Brian Cassaro, Director of Action Sports Marketing at DC. "It is Southern California's hottest MX track, has excellent facilities, and it's close to DC and many of our athletes.

The Pala partnership allows DC to develop a place for its team to train, design and test products, and help with the progression of the team and their sport. The Pala facility will be DC's third training facility. In 1998, Rob Dyrdek created the first DC training facility for exclusive use by the DC skate team, and in 2002 the DC snow team got a private park to train at when DC-Co Founder and Chief Brand Officer Ken Block, built the DC MTN.LAB in Park City, Utah.



In addition to using the facility as a training center for the motocross team, DC will host exclusive retailer and media events throughout the year. The motocross industry and fans alike will be able to catch the DC motocross team in action like never before.

"When we met with DC we knew immediately that the vision DC was laying out would be a perfect fit at Pala Raceway. The relationship between DC and Pala Raceway will have lasting benefits for the members of Pala Raceway and DC's professional athletes," said Ryan Ouellette, President Pala Raceway. " We are excited for our members to see the progression of the facility thanks to the new alliance between our two companies."

Yamaha will be the official bike sponsor of the Moto TF and has given DC exclusive bikes for use at the tracks that will be feature custom DC Moto TF x Yamaha graphics. Look for DC and Yamaha to host consumer giveaways with retailers and media partners in 2010.

For more information on the DC Motocross team visit www.dcshoes.com/moto, and to check out the Pala Raceway visit www.palaraceway.com.



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