Austin Stroupe Gets First Win in Houston

In only his seventh supercross race, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/
Kawasaki rider Austin Stroupe stood on the top step of the
podium after earning his first career AMA Supercross Lites win.
His teammate Brett Metcalfe finished fifth. In the Monster Energy
AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship main event, Monster
Energy Kawasaki’s Timmy Ferry earned his third straight podium,
finishing third at Reliant Stadium. Travis Preston finished 20th.

Everything is Bigger in Texas
They say everything is “Bigger in Texas” and nothing was bigger
on Saturday night than the ride by Stroupe to win his first race as
a professional. The 17-year-old rider used a good start to get
near the front of the field before taking the lead for good on lap
six. The win moves Stroupe to third in the series’ standings just
one point ahead of his teammate Metcalfe.

“It feels awesome,” said Stroupe. “When I saw the checkered flag
it was great. Near the end of the race I was just trying to get
good lap times and stay loose. I felt good coming into the season
and it just is awesome to get a win. It has been tough all season
and I’m just stoked.”

Three Times a Podium
For the third straight week, Ferry put his Kawasaki KX™450F on
the podium. After getting caught in traffic on the first lap, Ferry
fought his way through the pack to finish third. Ferry continues to
hold down the third spot in the championship standings.

“It was a good night,” said Ferry. “Third was just my spot. It was
a good ride and three podiums in a row keeps us up in the points.
I had to make some block passes in the corner after the short set
of whoops. It was tricky out there. It was rough and bumpy and
some of the ruts were down to the concrete floor. The track
challenged us and that is good for me.”

Fifth Place Finish
After finishing second in his heat race, Metcalfe carried that
momentum in the AMA Supercross Lites main event. Metcalfe
never ran lower than third until the last lap when he went down
on his own. Metcalfe quickly recovered to finish fifth. “It’s real
disappointing,” said Metcalfe. “It would have been nice to get
another podium. My front end washed out and that was it. I was
just trying too hard and I tried to get through that turn a little
better. Before the last lap the race was going well. After I went
down I was able to salvage a fifth but I it could have finished
much better.”

Something Spoke
For Preston, a broken spoke ended his night early. While battling
in traffic on the fourth lap, Preston and another rider made
contact and the foot-peg from the other bike broke a couple of
spokes on the front wheel. Preston wasn’t able to continue and
finished 20th.

“I got together with someone and their peg broke a couple of my
spokes,” said Preston. “Right now I need all the laps I can get so
it’s not good to pull off early. I was riding pretty good but I still
need to get better starts.”

full story on kawasaki.com
pics from tedescophoto.com