Dungey Again at Anaheim II

Kit Palmer | January 24, 2010

Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey made it two big victories in a row after winning what ended up being an exciting three-rider shootout in the 20-lap feature at Anaheim II, round three of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series. Dungey spent much of the race behind early race leaders San Manuel Yamaha riders James Stewart and Josh Hill before claiming his second win in a row.

But perhaps the surprise of the night was that despite seven inches of rain during the week that pounded the area leading up to the race, the Dirt Wurx track crew managed to provide what many racers described as being the “perfect” track to race on.

In front of a smaller-than-usual, though still large, Angel Stadium crowd, Dungey’s teammate, Austin Stroupe got it all start by nabbing the holeshot but quickly gave way to both Stewart and Hill, while Dungey settled into fourth. Stewart then set the pace up front, but it wasn’t the normal Stewart leading the way.

Stewart was still in obvious pain from his hard crash with Kyle Partridge the week before at the Phoenix Supercross and it showed all afternoon. Earlier in the day, Stewart pulled out of timed qualifying before it officially ended where he ended up being fourth fastest behind Dungey, Hill and Muscle Milks/Toyota/JGR Yamaha’s Justin Brayton. And, later on, Stewart didn’t even participate in opening ceremonies.

The San Manuel Yamaha camp was tight-lipped about Stewart’s ailment, saying nothing more than that his “right side” was hurting him considerably. It was rumored, however, that his wrist is bothering him most and it might even be broken, but no one from the team would confirm.

Despite his injuries, Stewart fought to keep his lead over Hill, who showed no mercy for his teammate by sticking a front wheel in on him whenever he could. All the while, Dungey was creeping up after passing his teammate Stroupe.

Pretty soon it was a tight three-way battle involving Stewart, Hill and Dungey. And not far behind the lead trio was Honda Red Bull’s Andrew Short.

Stewart managed to hold off Hill for six laps, which is when Hill took over. Stewart swapped in the whoops and Hill pounced.

Stewart, however, stuck with Hill, but didn’t really have a choice, since Dungey was all over him. A few more laps went by when Stewart attempted to pass Hill in the whoops, but he got out of shape which gave Dungey the chance to make his move. A couple of turns later, Dungey dropped Stewart to third and then set after Hill.

Dungey passed a tiring Hill on the 14th lap and took control from there, finishing 3.139 seconds ahead of Hill. A few seconds later, Stewart took the checkers in third.

Even from the podium, Stewart said little about his condition.

“I tried the best I could and third was all I had tonight,” Stewart said. “Hill and Dungey rode a great race tonight.”

Stewart retired quickly to his motor home.

Later, San Manuel Yamaha team manager Larry Brooks said that Stewart was in a lot of pain and that “something” was definitely wrong and he’ll have to go to the hospital to get further evaluation and more x-rays.

After his second straight win and his second-place finish at the series opener, Dungey now leads Hill by 15 points. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, who finished seventh in the main, is tied for third with A2 fourth-place finisher Short at 52 points. Stewart is tied for fifth with Kevin Windham at 51 points.

Windham, who started the race in 13th place, finished fifth, followed by Brayton, Villopoto, Honda Red Bull’s Davi Millsaps, JGR Yamaha’s Michael Byrne and Valli Motorsports Yamaha’s Ivan Tedesco.

ResultsHEAT 1 (8 laps, 1-9 qualify): 1. Josh Hill (Yam); 2. James Stewart (Yam); 3. Andrew Short (Hon); 4. Austin Stroupe (Suz); 5. Thomas Hahn (Suz); 6. Chris Blose (Hon); 7. Kyle Chisholm (Yam); 8. Nick Wey (Kaw); 9. Justin Keeney (Kaw); 10. Fabien Izoird (Kaw); 11. Jesse Casillas (Kaw); 12. Jake Anstett (Yam); 13. Travis Bannister (Kaw); 14. Nathan Tiearney (Kaw); 15. Robert Finch (Kaw); 16. Michael Sleeter (KTM); 17. Kyle Partridge (Kaw); 18. Casey Hinson (Hon); 19. Nicholas Schmidt (Kaw); 20. Gregory Aranda (Kaw).

 

Race Time: 7 min., 54.323 sec.

 

Margin of Victory: 1.903 sec.

 

HEAT 2 (8 laps, 1-9 qualify): 1. Ryan Dungey (Suz); 2. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw); 3. Michael Byrne (Yam); 4. Ivan Tedesco (Yam); 5. Kevin Windham (Hon); 6. Davi Millsaps (Hon); 7. Justin Brayton (Yam); 8. Grant Langston (Yam); 9. Manuel Rivas Gomez (Kaw); 10. Cyrille Coulon (Kaw); 11. Matt Boni (Hon); 12. Jason Thomas (Suz); 13. Jarred Jet Browne (Kaw); 14. Billy Payne (Hon); 15. Teddy Parks (Kaw); 16. Aden Dejager (Kaw); 17. Vincent Blair (Kaw); 18. Jeff Loop (Kaw); 19. Weston Peick (Yam); 20. Daniel Blair (Hon).

 

Race Time: 7 min., 45.080 sec.

 

Margin of Victory: 5.644 sec.

 

LCQ (4 laps, 1-2 qualify): 1. Fabien Izoird (Kaw); 2. Jason Thomas (Suz); 3. Jesse Casillas (Kaw); 4. Matt Boni (Hon); 5. Kyle Partridge (Kaw); 6. Travis Bannister (Kaw); 7. Billy Payne (Hon); 8. Jake Anstett (Yam); 9. Teddy Parks (Kaw); 10. Vincent Blair (Kaw); 11. Jeff Loop (Kaw); 12. Nathan Tiearney (Kaw); 13. Cyrille Coulon (Kaw); 14. Nicholas Schmidt (Kaw); 15. Robert Fitch (Kaw); 16. Michael Sleeter (KTM); 17. Aden Dejager (Kaw); 18. Jarred Jet Browne (Kaw); 19. Casey Hinson (Hon); 20. Gregory Aranda (Kaw); 21. Weston Peick (Yam); 22. Daniel Blair (Hon).

 

Race Time: 6 min., 05.111 sec.

 

Margin of Victory: 1.348 sec.

 

MAIN EVENT (20 laps): 1. Ryan Dungey (Suz); 2. Josh Hill (Yam); 3. James Stewart (Yam); 4. Andrew Short (Hon); 5. Kevin Windham (Hon); 6. Justin Brayton (Yam); 7. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw); 8. Davi Millsaps (Hon); 9. Michael Byrne (Yam); 10. Ivan Tedesco (Yam); 11. Kyle Chisholm (Yam); 12. Tommy Hahn (Suz); 13. Nick Wey (Kaw); 14. Jason Thomas (Suz); 15. Chris Blose (Hon); 16. Grant Langston (Yam); 17. Fabien Izoird (Kaw); 18. Manuel Rivas Gomez (Kaw); 19. Justin Keeney (Kaw); 20. Austin Stroupe (Suz).

 

Race Time: 19 min., 47.620 sec.

 

Margin of Victory: 3.139 sec.

Kit Palmer | Off-Road Editor

Kit Palmer started his career at Cycle News in 1984 and he’s been testing dirt and streetbikes every since – plus covering any event that uses some form of a knobby tire. He’s also our resident motorcycle mileage man with a commute of 120 miles a day.