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San Diego: Round seven preview

Stewart's Streak Stretches to Five as Monster Energy® Supercross Heads South to San Diego for Final California Race of '09 Season Reed's Claimed Victory to 5 of the Last Six Races in San Diego AURORA, Ill. (February 9, 2009) -- Even in the ...

Stewart's Streak Stretches to Five as Monster Energy® Supercross Heads South to San Diego for Final California Race of '09 Season

Reed's Claimed Victory to 5 of the Last Six Races in San Diego

AURORA, Ill. (February 9, 2009) -- Even in the rain-drenched conditions at Angel Stadium, Team San Manuel Yamaha's James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., prevailed, winning his fifth consecutive Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race Saturday night in Anaheim, Calif.. This Saturday, Stewart will once again take on the world's top Monster® Energy Supercross racers as the championship heads south to San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium. Defending Monster Energy® Supercross champion Chad Reed, of Tampa, Fla., leads Stewart by three points in the championship standings.

In the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class, Monster Energy® Kawasaki's Jake Weimer, of Rupert, Idaho, moved into the points lead with the win at Angel Stadium. Weimer, who has three wins and one additional podium this year, has a three-point lead over Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., with three races left in the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship.

To start last week's main event in Anaheim, Stewart didn't wait long to establish the lead as he pulled the holeshot, leading Honda Red Bull Racing's Davi Millsaps, of Tallahassee, Fla., and JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha's Josh Grant, of Riverside, Calif., through turn one. Stewart controlled the lead for the next 20 laps. Once again, Reed didn't get the start he wanted, but worked his way into the top five by lap two.

On lap seven, Reed moved into second place but was unable to challenge Stewart. Millsaps finished third and picked up the best finish of his 2009 season.

"Man it was crazy out there," explained Stewart. "I was just riding out there and realized it was raining. We got one more race out here in California and so far it's been good. The thanks really goes out to my team. Larry Brooks, San Manuel, and all the crew they've been awesome this year."

This weekend is crucial for Reed's points lead. Reed, who has five consecutive second place finishes, will be removed from the leader position with another second place finish and a win by Stewart. If Stewart wins, he will be awarded three points over the second place finisher. This will tie Stewart and Reed for the championship and according to AMA Pro Racing rules, Stewart will essentially be considered the points leader because he has more main event wins.

"It was sketchy," said Reed. "I just tried to put in some consistent laps. I was happy to finish the race and be on the podium for the points race. The guys put the bike together for the mud and we just tried as hard as we could. Starts are part of the race. I just need to work on them. I really want to thank my team Rockstar/Makita Suzuki. I'm definitely feeling a lot better now than I have been."

Weimer rallied back from a mid-pack start in the Lites class main event to challenge early leader Justin Brayton, of the MDK/KTM team, and the two engaged in a battled until Weimer made the pass for the lead and win.

"This is a huge win for sure," said Weimer. "Once I got by Justin (Brayton) I just kept my head down and tried to ride consistent for the rest of the main. It feels great to take the points lead and the momentum into San Diego next weekend."

Last year in San Diego, Reed overcame an up and down evening to win his fourth consecutive race of the season and fifth career win at Qualcomm Stadium. After passing Millsaps early in the main event, Reed crashed and was forced to once again chase and pass Millsaps. The victory gave Reed a clean sweep of all the California races.

"I am so happy to get this win," said Reed last year. "I knew I needed to catch Davi after I fell. I have never won all of the races in California, and with this win tonight, I accomplished a new goal. I get to leave the west coast with a big points lead."

Given his past success, Reed looks for San Diego to be a chance to protect his points lead in the championship hunt.

Jason Lawrence led every lap of the 15-lap Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class main event for what proved to be the turning point of the season and his run towards the championship last year.

"I came into the first turn and had an open track in front of me," said Lawrence. "I am excited to take over the points lead heading into Houston next weekend.

CBS Sports will broadcast the AMA Supercross race on Sunday, February 15 at Noon EST and SPEED will broadcast the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class race on Sunday, February 15 at 6:00 p.m. EST.

Supercross made its debut in San Diego on October 25, 1980 when Mike Bell won on a Yamaha. Seven-time AMA Supercross champion Jeremy McGrath and Reed are tied on the all-time AMA Supercross win list at Qualcomm Stadium with five. Kawasaki's Todd Campbell won the inaugural AMA Supercross Lites class on January 26, 1995.

Tickets are available at www.SupercrossOnline.com, participating Yamaha dealerships, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 619-220-8497. Gold Circle seats are $35; Mid-Level seats are $30 for adults and $10 for kids; Treadhead seats are $10. A $5-off adult coupon is available at participating Express Tires (does not include $10 seats) Fans can also request the family section when purchasing. All tickets are $2 more on the day of the race.

-credit: ama

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