AURORA, Ill. (January 18, 2008) - Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, returns to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., for Round 3 of 17. Monster Energy Kawasaki's James Stewart and Team San Manuel's Chad Reed are tied at 47 points a piece in the AMA Supercross class heading into the weekend. In the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey leads Yamaha of Troy's Jason Lawrence 47-38. This weekend the Suzuki factory race team prepares for their return to Angel Stadium in Anaheim for Round 3 of racing at this venue. Dungey, 2007 AMA Rookie of the Year for AMA Supercross/Motocross, heads into this throwback Anaheim 2 race, having won the first Lites round at Angel Stadium two weeks ago. Dungey followed up that performance with an impressive second-place finish at Phoenix. The 18-year-old Dungey is in southern California training on his Suzuki RM-Z250 under the tutelage of his mentor Johnny O'Mara.
"Hopefully there's no rain in the forecast this week," said Dungey, referring to the first Anaheim race's swamp-like conditions, thanks to southern California rains. "Then we can get in some good riding days and do our program. So far, we've been testing at the Suzuki test track because you're always trying to get better. Right now, the RM-Z250 is great and I'm really happy with it. I feel like we're going in the right direction. Wednesday night, we had an autograph signing at Chaparral, and that's always one of the more enjoyable ones because a lot of people show up and all the teams are there. The line of fans wraps around the whole building; it's pretty cool."
In the AMA Supercross class, Dungey's teammates Mike Alessi and David Vuillemin are also in southern California training on their Suzuki RM-Z450s in preparation for Anaheim 2 race.
"Last week we focused on being more aggressive and better corner speed, which I believe I made improvement on," said Alessi, who won the Progressive Holeshot Award in last week's AMA Supercross class main. "This week I'm focused on getting my results closer to being on the podium. We are testing at the Suzuki track much all of the week with a fun ride day on Thursday. Finally, my girlfriend Danielle's grandmother is turning 90 on Friday, and we'll do something special for her."
Added Vuillemin: "For most of this week I'll be focused on testing and training like my teammates. I plan to test one day and then do some general supercross and motocross riding to get ready for the throwback race in Anaheim. I've also been working out regularly at the gym, playing racquetball, bicycling and swimming. I feel good about this second Anaheim race. It's close to home and it's the center of the world for the first several races of the season. The 1986-like track will be pretty interesting. I hope it will be good for the bikes of 2008!"
MDK KTM Lites riders Justin Brayton and Billy Laninovich gained insight as to where they stand in contention for the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites championship last week in Phoenix.
Brayton, who was fresh off a podium finish at Anaheim 1, finished sixth at Phoenix while his teammate finished 10th. Although sixth wasn't as high up as he would like to have placed, Brayton was still able to benefit from the Phoenix round. "I learned in Phoenix that I can run with the top six guys," said Brayton. "I was in contention for a podium spot throughout the entire race. Now, I just need to be more aggressive."
Laninovich had a better result in Phoenix than Anaheim 1. "I was able to stay in the top ten and was not far off the leader's pace. Now that I know the pace I have to run, I will be better prepared for the second round at Anaheim," commented Laninovich.
Both riders are excited about the throwback track planned for the Anaheim 2. Brayton, who was ill this week, is regaining strength and said he looks forward to riding a course that's not in the normal routine. "I've been working with Rick Johnson, who is assisting in developing the Anaheim 2 track, and from what he's told me, it should be fun," reported Brayton. "However, if it's as fast as everyone says, then I will have to bring out my old Toyota AMA Arenacross Series skills."
MDK KTM factory rider Nick Wey is excited for Anaheim 2. "It looks like we will have good weather this time, so I am excited to ride a dry course at Anaheim 2." Wey didn't have the best of luck at last weekend's race but feels confident in himself and the bike going into the third round.
In addition to busily preparing for the weekend's race, the teams also celebrated MDK KTM factory rider Martin Davalos' 21st birthday on Tuesday. Davalos is busy training at his home in Georgia as he is set to contend the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites championship.
The Monster Energy Kawasaki team is rolling back to Angel Stadium as Monster Energy Supercross turns back the clock for throwback night.