GEICO Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham has found his groove in the AMA Supercross Championship. The 32-year-old veteran put his experience to work to take his second consecutive victory in Salt Lake City, where riders had to battle freezing cold temperatures and another muddy, rutted course. Windham dominated the abbreviated 15-lap main event to take a convincing win in Rice-Eccles stadium.
“I was probably the only rider here today that was excited when the rain came because I enjoy these conditions,” Windham said. “I kept my head down and put in a great 15 laps.”
Aside from a first-lap battle with Red Bull Honda’s Davi Millsaps for the lead, Windham went unheaded to claim the victory. He shared the podium with fellow Honda riders Millsaps and Andrew Short, who finished second and third, respectively.
“It was sloppy out there. They did a great job prepping the track and then it was all for naught once the race started. One minute it was raining the next it was snowing. It was nuts. I can’t believe the fans stayed with us but it didn’t look like any of them left. I’m so glad we could put on a show for them and get this win for GEICO Powersports Honda.”
Riders had to dodge rain and snow flurries throughout the day, but it didn’t slow Windham down as he was quickest in both practice and qualifying. Windham won his heat race by eight seconds, then came three riders away from lapping the entire field in the main event on a sloppy and wet track.
“I’ve always done pretty well when the conditions are bad,” Windham said. “Maybe it’s part of being older and having the patience to get through the course. I certainly know I always have a great bike under me and as a rider you can’t ask for anything more.”Photo left: Salt Lake City fans toughed it out in the cold rain and snow at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Millsaps ran a solid second throughout the main event, but Short had some work to do before moving into third. The factory Honda rider had to work his way forward around Kyle Chisholm, Micheal Byrne and Justin Brayton before completing the all-Honda podium.
Like last week, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, who already has the championship wrapped up, finished a modest fourth place in the muddy conditions. Kyle Chisholm of the Moto Concepts Yamaha team rounded out the top-five, marking his season best finish.
With Windham’s victory, the 32-year-old now moves into second place in the season standings with one race left.AMA Supercross Class Results: Salt Lake City
1. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
3. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
5. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha
6. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Yamaha
7. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
8. Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Suzuki
9. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Honda
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 338
2. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 273
3. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 266
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 253
5. Josh Hill, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 229
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 225
7. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 186
8. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 183
9. Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Suzuki, 174
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha, 163
