Austin Stroupe Out for Houston

Jean Turner | April 10, 2010

HOUSTON, TX, APR. 10 – Sadly, it looks like it might be curtains for the Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s East Lites Supercross season. During the first timed practice session in Houston, Texas at Reliant Stadium, Austin Stroupe landed on Kyle Cunningham in practice and hit the ground hard. It is now being reported that Stroupe likely suffered a separated and/or possibly broken shoulder in the crash.

“They took some x-rays here but I don’t know if it is precise enough for the doctor to really make a judgment,” factory Suzuki team manager Roger DeCoster reported. “But for sure, he’s not racing tonight. They’re probably going to take him to a hospital and check.”

As far as what exactly happened, DeCoster explained: “Cunningham, I think, got out of synch. I did not see it happen in front of me, but I think he went out of synch in that rhythm section and Austin landed on him, or the bike.”

Stroupe was running a strong second in the AMA Supercross Lites East Championship. Stroupe was only eight points down from Christophe Pourcel, who now holds a commanding lead in the series. Stroupe’s absence tonight also means that Pourcel may potentially wrap up the Lites East title in Houston. If GEICO Powersports Honda’s Justin Barcia (currently third in points) wins tonight, all Pourcel needs is a fourth or better to successfully defend his number one plate.