Windham Wins, Reed Crowned!

Paul Carruthers | May 2, 2004

Honda’s Kevin Windham won his fifth THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series race at Sam Boyd Stadium before 37,942 fans last night, but Yamaha’s Chad Reed captured his first 250cc championship, becoming the first Australian to ever win the series title.

Kawasaki’s James Stewart won the Dave Coombs Sr. 125cc East/West Shootout, capping off another stellar season for the 18-year old. Yamaha’s Heath Voss, meanwhile, won his first THQ World Supercross GP Championship, taking home the $100,000 that went with the title.

Top privateer Damon Huffman earned the $1500 Butterfinger Holeshot Award, with Windham and Kawasaki’s Michael Byrne following in second and third, respectively. Windham moved into the lead after Huffman made a mistake in the timing section and Reed started fourth and moved into second on lap two. Windham pulled away with the victory, Reed finished second and Honda’s Mike LaRocco finished third. Huffman was awarded $25,000 from the United States Smokeless Tobacco Company, a Nissan Titan and a 26’ trailer from Weekend Warrior for earning top privateer honors.

“Overall, this was a successful season for me, even though I didn’t win the championship,” said Windham. “This is my first year back in the supercross, so I am very happy with the way I finished.”

“This championship really means a lot to me,” said Reed. “I know that a lot has happened this season, but sometimes you have to take a step back and look at things from a different perspective.”

In the 125cc main, Kawasaki’s Stephane Roncada earned the $1000 Butterfinger Holeshot Award with Suzuki’s Broc Hepler and Stewart in tow. Stewart moved into second place on the opening lap and traded positions with early leader Roncada several times before making the final pass for the lead on lap six. Honda’s Nathan Ramsey passed 125cc Western Regional THQ AMA Supercross Series champion Ivan Tedesco on the white-flag lap for third place. The win marked Stewart’s seventh of the season.

“This was a great race with Stephane (Roncada),” said Stewart. “Last year I had a bad crash here and it’s nice to come back and get the won for the Las Vegas fans. Next season I am going to be here on a 250cc.”

THQ AMA Supercross Series Dave Coombs Sr. 125cc East/West Shootout Results

1. James Stewart (Kawasaki)

2. Stephane Roncada (Kawasaki)

3. Nathan Ramsey (Honda)

4. Ivan Tedesco (Kawasaki)

5. Davi Millsaps (Suzuki)

6. Broc Hepler (Suzuki)

7. Joshua Hansen (Yamaha)

8. Danny Smith (Yamaha)

9. Troy Adams (Kawasaki)

10. Brock Sellards (Yamaha)

250cc THQ World Supercross Series

1. Kevin Windham (Honda)

2. Chad Reed (Yamaha)

3. Mike LaRocco (Honda)

4. David Vuillemin (Yamaha)

5. Nick Wey (Suzuki)

6. Sean Hamblin (Suzuki)

7. Heath Voss (Yamaha)

8. Damon Huffman (Honda)

9. Craig Anderson (Honda)

10. Keith Johnson (Yamaha)

Paul Carruthers | Editor

Paul Carruthers took over as the editor of Cycle News in 1993 after serving as associate editor since starting his career at the publication in 1985. Carruthers has covered every facet of the sport in his near-28-year tenure at America's Daily Motorcycle News Source.