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Stewart and Villopoto dominate at High Point


James Stewart made it a perfect four from four in 2008 AMAM Open motocross championship at High Point Raceway, while fellow Kawasaki Ryan Villopoto won both motos the Lites category for his third win of the year.


Stewart was able to overcome the two hole shots garnered by Suzuki's Mike Alessi and wound up cruising to runaway wins in both motos, to run his record to a perfect 8-0 on the season. Alessi, , earned two solid second-place finishes for second overall, with Honda's Davi Millsaps, completing the podium.

 
"I was just happy to make it out of this weekend," said Stewart. "My record here isn't too good, I've always struggled here. The Coombs family and John Ayers did a great job in getting the track ready. The changes to the track were awesome. This is so far the best track of the year and I also think it was safest track. I had fun today and I've had fun all year. The key (for me) is to take it easy the first couple laps and then get on it. I'm looking forward to going to Colorado, just for some kind of change (with the night race)."

Over the last three events, Villopoto has been dominant in the AMA Motocross Lites class. On Sunday, he battled his way to the front in each moto, running away from the field once he reached the top spot to achieve his second career victory at the famed High Point Raceway.

"Getting the holeshot helps out a lot," explained Villopoto. "But for me if I get a bad start I'm comfortable in pushing my own pace. I think the track was a way better racetrack this year. It was open and you could run with guys better. I didn't like the rain much, but other than that it was good. I have a little bit more (points lead) than last year, but (last year) I had a bad finish and was down. It's going to take more than (what I've done this year). Ryan is one of the fastest guys out there so I gotta keep my eye on him and run that pace."

Honda's Jake Weimer put in a career-best performance, grabbing the hole shot in the first moto and bringing home second place despite falling in the early stages. Putting in a solid run in moto two, he brought home a fifth place finish to secure second overall and his first career podium.  Suzuki's Ryan Dungey overcame a fall in the first moto to come home in sixth and backed it up with a second place run in moto two for third overall.

With their overall wins, Stewart and Villopoto put themselves in line for the $25,000 bonus that is awarded to the rider in each class that wins all three events in the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross. High Point was the first of three races that make up the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown, with RedBud and Steel City remaining on the schedule.

Stewart currently holds a 45-point lead over Alessi in the AMA Motocross standings while Villopoto has a 28-point advantage over Dungey in AMA Motocross Lites.
 

Published 16/06/2008 08:59

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