After missing the top five in an AMA Supercross event for the first time in 88 starts last week Yamaha's Chad Reed bounced back to record his sixth victory of the season and finished ahead of brand-mate Josh Hill at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis last weekend. The Australian headed a YZ450F '1-2' on the podium of the ninth round from seventeen in the series - an FIM World Championship - to give Yamaha their fourth win at the venue and first since 2002.
The 25 year old, who took some time to get into a rhythm during practice on a track he helped design, determinedly seized the holeshot and disappeared with the main event Saturday evening in front of Hill and Andrew Short. It was his first ever SX class success in Indianapolis although the result did extend his impressive tally of five podiums in five starts at the Dome.
"I struggled in practice - I was second both times - and I think that wasn't cool to design the track and then not be the fastest guy," he commented. "But I redeemed myself in the main, and it just feels awesome to be back up where we belong."
"I'm so happy to get this win," added Reed who had gone two rounds without a triumph after previously setting a record with victory in every Californian event. "A second place and a sixth position really isn't that bad, but in my book, it sucks. I just wanted to get back out here and get on top. I'm just looking forward to Daytona now. It's one of my favourite races in the world, and I can't wait."
The former champion now leads the standings by 34 points over Kevin Windham.
Hill made the podium for the second time while Nathan Ramsey (eighth place) and Josh Hansen (tenth) ensured that the YZ450F scooped four positions in the final top ten; more than any other manufacturer. Grant Langston was still unable to compete, having to sit out with an eye complaint.
"It's Kevin Windham," said Hill who had to pass the Honda man and Reed's main title rival for his podium slot. "I've been watching him since I was like seven years old. It's just amazing for me to be up there racing with him and dicing with him. I had to ride really aggressively out there tonight. There was only really one fast line, and it was on the outside, so you had to just push it in there and take a line away."
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Weather: Dry
2008 AMA-SX Indianapolis 03/03/2008 Race 1 - 20 Laps
1 Chad Reed Yamaha AUS 16'31.060
2 Josh Hill Yamaha USA 0'10.621
3 Andrew Short Honda USA 0'12.276
4 Ryan Dungey Suzuki USA 0'15.083
5 Kevin Windham Honda USA 0'22.709
6 Travis Preston Kawasaki USA 0'40.264
7 Paul Carpenter Honda USA 0'43.708
8 Nathan Ramsey Yamaha USA 0'44.323
9 David Vuillemin Suzuki FRA -1 Laps
10 Josh Hansen Yamaha USA -1 Laps
11 Troy Adams Honda USA -1 Laps
12 Manuel Gomes Rivas Kawasaki ESP -1 Laps
13 Jason Thomas Honda USA -1 Laps
14 Heath Voss Honda USA -1 Laps
15 Jacob Marsack Honda USA -1 Laps
18 Broc Hepler Yamaha USA -2 Laps
Rider Standings 01/03/2008
1. Chad Reed Yamaha AUS 209
2. Kevin Windham Honda USA 175
3. Andrew Short Honda USA 141
4. Tim Ferry Kawasaki USA 137
5. David D Millsaps Honda USA 127
6. Nathan Ramsey Yamaha USA 114
7. Josh Hill Yamaha USA 106
8. David Vuillemin Suzuki FRA 84
9. Nicholas Wey KTM USA 84
10. Paul Carpenter Honda USA 80
11. Charles Summey Yamaha USA 69
12. Mike Alessi Suzuki USA 69
13. Ivan Tedesco Honda USA 53
14. Heath Voss Honda USA 52
15. Troy Adams Honda USA 47
20. Grant Langston Yamaha RSA 38
34. Broc Hepler Yamaha USA 3
Manufacturer Standings 01/03/2008
1. Yamaha 210
2. Honda 190
3. Kawasaki 175
4. Suzuki 124
5. KTM 84
- Yamaha Racing -
