Dungey, Pourcel Quickest In Dallas Qualifying

Kit Palmer | March 20, 2010

Ryan Dungey has let it be known that he’s going to be the rider to beat later tonight when things get serious at the 11th round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Champion inside the spacious Cowboys Stadium in Texas.

Dungey, on his Rockstar Makita Suzuki, set the quickest lap time following both timed qualifying sessions. Dungey was the only rider to crack the 48-second mark with a 48.623. Right behind him are five riders that got into the 49-second bracket, led by Honda Red Bull’s Davi Millsaps with a 49.359, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto with a 49.554, and GEICO Powersport Honda’s Kevin Windham with a 49.571. Justin Brayton, on the JGR Yamaha, and Kyle Chisholm, on the MotoConcepts Yamaha, matched each other times with 49.931s.In the Lites class, points leader Christophe Pourcel, on the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, is the quickest with a 49.278, edging out series rival Austin Stroupe, on the Rockstar Makita Suzuki, with a 49.474. They were the only two riders in the Lites class that got into the 49s.Star Racing Yamaha/DNA Shred Stix’ Martin Davalos was third quickest with a 50.553. Right behind him was last week’s winner Justin Barcia on the GEICO Powersports Honda with a 50.577.This is the first time that the new and massive Cowboys Stadium has hosted a Supercross race, and luckily it has a retractable roof. Despite seeing temperatures in the upper 60s the day before, things changed drastically over night at Dallas. Rain fell Saturday morning, as did temperatures, which are currently in the low 30s. But racing conditions inside the stadium couldn’t be much better.Of note, Chad Reed is not racing tonight. The Monster Energy Kawasaki team rider was hoping to make his comeback last week at Toronto but injured his thumb before the race. He was hoping to be well enough to ride at Dallas, but he’ll wait at least another week.