Yamaha Race Report: Phoenix Supercross -ozzy go-

Supercross January 12, 2008 | Phoenix, AZ
Chad Reed posted a close second-place finish to James Stewart
in front of 46,121 fans at round two of the 2008 AMA Supercross
Series in Phoenix, AZ on Saturday evening, January 12. With a
win and a second apiece, the pair now shares the points lead as
the season gets underway. In all, four of the top 10 finishers
were aboard Yamaha YZ450Fs, including L&M Racing teammates
Reed and Nathan Ramsey, and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Josh Hansen
and Charles Summey. In addition, Yamaha Factory Racing’s
Broc Hepler led the Supercross Lites class but ultimately ended
up fourth on his YZ250F, just ahead of Yamaha of Troy’s Jason
Lawrence.

Supercross class
After decisively taking the opening round in Anaheim, Reed was
primed and ready to win in Phoenix, and he showed both
motivation and speed by dominating his heat race after an early
battle with teammate Josh Hill. But when the gate dropped for
the 20-lap main event, Mike Alessi narrowly grabbed the
holeshot ahead of Stewart and Reed. The pair quickly dispatched
Alessi and forged a sizable lead, eventually lapping half the
field. Reed took control briefly on lap three, the pressured
Stewart throughout the race and ultimately finished a scant
1.966 sec. behind the defending series champion.

“I really wanted to put this win in my trophy cabinet,” Reed
admitted afterwards. “But it was a good weekend and a good
battle, and I’m super motivated for next week!”

Supercross Lites
The 15-lap Supercross Lites race turned into a terrific five-man
battle for the win with YZ-mounted Hepler and rivals Ryan
Dungey and Jake Weimer all trading the lead, and Brett Metcalfe
and Yamaha pilot Lawrence also in the mix. In fact Hepler
looked like a sure winner aboard his YZ, leading twice until a
mistake dropped him to fourth place. The final podium went to
Weimer, Dungey and Metcalfe, with Yamaha pilots Hepler and
Lawrence in fourth and fifth, respectively.

“It’s nice to see Jason improving and Broc leading a few laps,
and I’m looking forward to more of it as the season goes on,”
said Yamaha Supercross team manager Jim Perry.
yamaha.motor.com

pics from transworldmotocross.com