Atlanta, GA (February 21, 2015) – Chad Reed thrilled a crowd of 51,000 in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome by running away with the 450 main event, tonight, taking a flag-to-flag victory over series points leader Ryan Dungey on a tough and demanding course.
The Discount Tire/TwoTwo Motorsports rider got off to a flying start after nailing the holeshot and then immediately pulled away to a several second lead by the third lap of the race.
On lap four, RCH/Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s/Factory Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, who got off the line around mid-pack, crashed in the whoop section and remounted near last place. Meanwhile, Autotrader.com/Toyota/JGR Yamaha’s Weston Peick had a great race going, holding down second place until lap eight when Dungey passed him in a rhythm section to take over the runner-up spot. Two laps later, Team Honda HRC’s Trey Canard also passed Peick and the top three was set for the remainder of the race.
Dungey closed a bit on Reed during the final five laps of the race, but the Aussie star held his ground and took the checkers with just over a second to spare.
Reed’s win made him the fifth different winner in the series.
“It has been a long year for me,” said Reed. “I always say you have to give yourself a good start to give yourself a shot at the win, and that is what I did tonight. I am excited to come back here next weekend and race for a win.”
Canard ended the race in third, two seconds behind Dungey, with teammate Cole Seely and Peick rounding out the top five.
“Being on the podium is important,” said Dungey, who extended his points lead to 25. “Consistency is key, and I say it all of the time. We will keep plugging away and look for the win next week here.”
In the meantime, Canard moved into second in points thanks to Roczen’s 18th place finish.
With the win tonight, Reed has control of the Duel in the Dome, the inaugural race that awards the rider with the most points at the two Atlanta events with a commemorative trophy.
450SX Class Results:
1. Chad Reed (Kaw)
2. Ryan Dungey (KTM)
3. Trey Canard (Hon)
4. Cole Seely (Hon)
5. Weston Peick (Yam)
6. Broc Tickle (Suz)
7. Jason Anderson (Hus)
8. Blake Baggett (Suz)
9. Andrew Short (KTM)
10. Josh Grant (Kaw)
