Reed wins in San Diego

Chad Reed took his second victory this season at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Sunday February 9.

Reed’s win came at a vital time, after a series of three wins by reigning AMA champion Ricky Carmichael. Last season Carmichael was unbeatable after the opening rounds, and in the winter Motocross championship, Carmichael became the first rider to win every race. Reed’s victory has stopped Carmichael’s run of victories, and has also extended Reed’s lead in the THQ World Supercross championship.

Reed took the win in San Diego from his Yamaha team mate David Vuillemin. They both passed Honda rider Michael Byrne, after his holeshot in the meeting final. Reed fought his way passed his teammate, followed by Carmichael, but the reigning champion crashed and remounted in seventh on lap four.

From then Reed was able to build his lead, eventually finishing 18 seconds in front of Vuillemin. Carmichael recovered to finish third, followed by Michael Byrne. Nick Wey finished fifth.

In the 125cc event, James Stewart Jr continued his successful season. Stewart beat championship rival Travis Preston into second place, and his victory means that he only needs a third place at the next round in Dallas to win the championship. Preston, currently 31 points behind in the championship, suffered a poor start in the main event. He was able to move from sixth to second in the opening five laps, but was unable to catch Reed. Danny Smith took third for Suzuki.

250cc race results:

1) Reed. 2) Vuillemin. 3) Carmichael. 4) Byrne. 5) Wey. 6) Ferry. 7) Voss. 8) Roncada. 9) Carpenter. 10) Lusk. 11) Ward. 12) Huffman. 13) Johnson. 14) Sellards. 15) Schnell.

125cc race results:

1) Stewart. 2) Preston. 3) Smith. 4) Short. 5) Walker. 6) Hamblin. 7) Laninovich. 8) Sorby. 9) Hansen. 10) Evans. 11) Elliott. 12) Morais. 13) Harrison. 14) Lacey. 15) Bess.

AMA 250cc championship standings:

1) Carmichael 123. 2) Reed 131. 3) Vuillemin 109. 4) Lusk 98. 5) Ferry 94. 6) Byrne 75. 7) Roncada 70. 8) Tortelli. 9) LaRocco. 10) Voss.

AMA 125cc championship standings:

1) Stewart Jr 147. 3) Preston 116. 3) Short 92. 4) Laninovich 91. 5) Walker 90. 6) Smith 81. 7) Sorby 72. 8) Gosselaar/Hamblin 65. 10) Hansen 61.