Stewart, Davalos Quick in Salt Lake

Jean Turner | April 30, 2011

The sun is out and it’s snowing in Salt Lake City, where round 16 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series is about to take place. Snowfall during the week (and this morning) has left piles of snow in the pits, but the track remained covered until today’s first practice session, rendering it in good shape for racing. Small snow flurries, looking more like gnats swarming in the air, continue to descend on Rice Eccles Stadium, but all remain hopeful that the weather will cooperate for tonight’s program.

Martin Davalos of the Rockstar Suzuki squad topped the Lites qualifying sessions with a 44.2-second lap time. Quick laps, running mostly in the 45-second range, will make for quick main events tonight. Eli Tomac had the second-fastest time followed by Seattle Lites race winner Cole Seely.

Josh Hansen looked quick, but didn’t set the hot lap in the Lites. Still, perhaps the fact that he made it through practice unhurt is enough to make it a good day so far for Hanny. Kyle Cunningham rounded out the top-five in qualifying followed by KTM’s Ken Roczen. The German teenager is trying to kick a cold from last week, but still returned to AMA Supercross racing during a break in the FIM World Motocross Grand Prix Championship.

James Stewart looks on his game in Salt Lake, and showed the fast way around the track as the only rider able to crack the 43-second mark. Ryan Villopoto followed in second nearly a half second behind, and Ryan Dungey rounded out the top-three in qualifying.

The start straight that runs nearly the length of the stadium should make for interesting first-turn antics, as should the treacherous whoop section which has odd spacing in the middle.

Supercross Lites Practice

1. Martin Davalos 44.200

2. Eli Tomac 44.248

3. Cole Seely 44.587

4. Josh Hansen 44.633

5. Kyle Cunningham 44.667

6. Ken Roczen 44.760

7. Broc Tickle 44.898

8. Tyla Rattray 45.670

9. Travis Baker 45.725

10. Ryan Morais 45.898

Supercross Practice

1. James Stewart 42.609

2. Ryan Villopoto 43.322

3. Ryan Dungey 43.379

4. Chad Reed 43.427

5. Andrew Short 43.580

6. Kevin Windham 43.772

7. Davi Millsaps 44.040

8. Justin Brayton 44.178

9. Austin Stroupe 44.334

10. Tommy Hahn 44.448