Home » news » Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Showcases Interstate Rivalry At Inaugural Monster Energy Supercross Race – Dirt Rider Magazine

Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Showcases Interstate Rivalry At Inaugural Monster Energy Supercross Race – Dirt Rider Magazine

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

<strong>James Stewart narrowed the AMA Supercross class points lead to eight</strong><br />Photo Credit: Simon Cudby/></a> <p class="wp-caption-text"><strong>James Stewart narrowed the AMA Supercross class points lead to eight</strong><br />Photo Credit: Simon Cudby</p> </div> <p><strong>AURORA</strong>, Ill. (March 31, 2009) – Another exciting chapter of the 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, will unfold this Saturday at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for the first time in the sport’s history, featuring the hotly contested interstate rivalry between Tampa’s Chad Reed and Haines City’s James Stewart.Stewart will be the featured rider at this week’s media day on Thursday, April 2 from Noon-2:00 p.m. inside the Budweiser Zone at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.San Manuel Yamaha’s Stewart, who trails Reed by eight points in the AMA Supercross class points standings, added the ninth race win to his season Saturday night at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Stewart, who won the 2007 AMA Supercross class title, led in the main event and narrowed Reed’s points.”Every week it’s 100 percent,” said Stewart. “Everyone makes mistakes once in a while but it’s a long championship and there’s gonna be drama all the way to the end. I went too far inside (on the start) but it worked out and then I turned it on. I want to thank all my guys at San Manuel. We’ve been working hard all week to get here. At the end of the day, I know me, my team, and everyone involved are giving 100 percent and that’s all we can do.”As the gates dropped on the 20-lap main, renowned starter Mike Alessi, of Victorville, Calif., grabbed the holeshot aboard his Rockstar/Makita Suzuki. Canidae/Motosport Kawasaki’s Tommy Hahn, of Decatur, Texas, and Stewart followed in second and third with Reed fifth. The series’ top two riders asserted themselves at the front of the pack by the completion of the first lap. The Australian native and reigning series champion Reed stayed close to Stewart throughout the first half of the race, but settled into second en route to recording his ninth runner-up finish of 2009. Factory Yamaha’s Josh Hill, of Yoncalla, Ore., brought home a season-best third place finish.”The track was tough tonight,” stated Reed. “I gave it all I had. I just made way too many mistakes and (James) slipped away. I want to thank everybody at Rockstar/Makita Suzuki. We’ll just move onto Jacksonville (next week). It’s always good to have close racing (for the title) but I’m looking forward to that week off. It will be good for everyone. (My team) wants to be there every week and win this thing. It’s our goal.”In the AMA Supercross Lites class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel, of Corona, Calif., won his fourth race of the season to capture his first career AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship with one race remaining.”It feels great to come to America and achieve so much success in my first full season,” said Pourcel, who after an accident in 2007 wasn’t sure if he would ever walk again let alone race. “I’ve worked really hard all season and so has my team. Tonight I got a good start and had a really good first lap. I’m really proud to win my first championship. It’s been a really great season.”"Monster Energy Supercross is only hosted in the most prestigious professional sports stadiums across the nation and to have Jacksonville selected as one of the 17 sites is a testament to the continued success of sporting events in our area.” said Bob Downey General Manager of SMG-Jacksonville, “Adding this world class event will bring national attention to Jacksonville and the North Florida area.”In a sport that features the best riders from all around the world, Monster Energy Supercross stars Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Chad Reed, Tim Ferry, Davi Millsaps, Ivan Tedesco, and Grant Langston, just to name a few, call Florida home.Located on the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville, the stadium plays host to some of the country’s premier entertainment events including Super Bowl XXXIX and Monster Jam, which recorded a record 70,611 fans earlier this year. Jacksonville Municipal Stadium is also home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.The AMA Supercross Lites class race will air on SPEED Sunday, April 5 at 5:00 p.m. EST and the AMA Supercross class will air on SPEED following the Lites class race at 6:00 p.m. EST.Tickets are now available at Jacksonville Veterans Arena Box Office, Jacksonville Municipal Stadium (Day of race only), participating Yamaha dealers, <a href="" onclick="javascript:window.open(www.supercrossonline.com, Ticketmaster.com or by phone at (904) 353-3309. Club seats are $40 Adult/$40 Child; Sideline seats are $30 Adult/$20 Child; Corner seats are $20 Adult/$20 Child; Endzone, 300, 400 level seats are $10 Adult/$10 Child. Practice begins at 12:30 p.m. and the race starts at 7:00 p.m.AMA Supercross Class Results, Toronto
1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki
3. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha
4. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha
5. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
7. Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda
8. Matt Boni, Geneva, Fla., Honda
9. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
10. Ben Coisy, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki, 293
2. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 285
3. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 209
4. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 190
5. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 179
6. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 173
7. Mike Alessi, Apple Valley, Calif., Suzuki, 170
8. Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 166
9. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 165
10. Josh Hill, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 128Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results, Toronto
1. Christophe Pourcel, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki
2. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki
3. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha
4. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki
5. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Yamaha
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, KTM
7. Matthew Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki
8. Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda
9. Daniel Blair, Modesto, Calif., Honda
10. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, HondaEastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 156
2. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 128
3. Nico Izzi, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 112
4. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 102
5. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki, 91
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, KTM, 83
7. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, 82
8. Matthew Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki, 82
9. Daniel Blair, Modesto, Calif., Honda, 75
10. Steven Clarke, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki, 71For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305.About Feld Motor Sports
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Monster Jam, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Freestyle Motocross, and IHRA Nitro Jam. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.
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