Justin Brayton takes the top spot in qualifying at Anaheim 2. Photography By: Andrea Wilson
Muscle Milk Honda‘s Justin Brayton came from nowhere to take the top spot in qualifying heading into tonight’s heat races for round five of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series at Angel Stadium. Brayton was sixth when the checkered flag came out to end the session, but his final lap was a good one and it vaulted him past James Stewart and to the top spot.
Brayton, who also ended the first qualifying session in sixth, took 2.4 seconds off his best lap from the earlier session, turning a 55.877 lap on his final go-around on a track that got a lot easier when the big whoops were cut down prior to the session.
James Stewart got beaten out of the top spot with Justin Brayton’s last lap flier. Photography By: Andrea Wilson
That last lap vaulted him over five riders, including Stewart – who appeared to be set to put the JGR Yamaha at the top of the heap heading into tonight’s qualifying heat races. Stewart’s best was a 55.905 – 1.068 faster than his first session time. When the whoops were at their biggest, Stewart looked to have the measure of the field, but the pack closed up on him with the track change.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto ended up third with a 55.922, the final rider to crack the 56-second barrier.
Then came Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey with a 56.221. Geico Honda’s Kevin Windham rounded out the top five qualifiers with his 56.384.
Supercross Qualifying
1. Justin Brayton (Honda) 55.877
2. James Stewart (Yamaha) 55.905
3. Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) 55.922
4. Ryan Dungey (KTM) 56.384
5. Kevin Windham (Honda) 56.317
6. Chad Reed (Honda) 56.384
7. Kyle Chisholm (Kawasaki) 56.804
8. Andrew Short (Honda) 56.950
9. Jake Weimer (Kawasaki) 57.174
10. Josh Hansen (Kawasaki) 57.292
