Weimer Leads Wire-to-Wire for Lites Class Victory

ANAHEIM, Calif. (January 9, 2009) - At the opening race of the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, defending AMA Supercross class champion, James Stewart, of Dade City, Fla., pulled off an exciting, come from behind win to open the season in front of 43,841 fans at Angel Stadium. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Jake Weimer, of Rupert, Idaho, opened the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites championship with a big win and is the class' points leader.

Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki's Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., won the $1,500 SPIKE Holeshot Award in his official AMA Supercross class debut with Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., and Stewart following in second and third, respectively. Stewart made quick work of Villopoto and moved into second place. Former two-time AMA Supercross class champion Chad Reed, of Tampa, Fla., started in sixth place.

At the end of the first lap, Reed, who finished second in the championship last year, pulled off the racetrack after colliding with Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki's Austin Stroupe, of Lincolnton, N.C., and broke several spokes in his wheel.

"I was at the wrong place at the wrong time," said Reed. "The pace is really high right now, and there was nothing that I could do. I was trying to pass another rider and our lines came together."

Stewart, aboard a San Manuel Yamaha, trailed Dungey by over four seconds until lap 17 when he made a pass for the lead and eventual win. Dungey tried to answer back on the final lap of the race but Stewart held him off for his seventh win at Angel Stadium and the 37th of his career. Dungey finished second and Kevin Windham, of Centerville, Miss., finished third.

"I stayed consistent throughout the race," said Stewart. "I started to push myself during the last 10 laps and that is what racing is all about. I wanted to be there at the end and I was."

Dungey, who is the defending Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class champion and raced a handful of premier class races back in 2008, is competing in his first full AMA Supercross class season.

"It was amazing," said Dungey. "I had a few bobbles, and I am here learning. There is always another race. No excuses, James rode a great race, and this was a fun debut for me."

Weimer won the $1,000 SPIKE Holeshot Award, leading his teammate Josh Hansen, of Elbert, Colo., through turn one in the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class main event. At the end of lap one, Hansen slid out after the finish line and dropped to seventh place. Hansen's mistake allowed Rockstar Energy/Suzuki/Canidae's Ryan Morais, of Murrieta, Calif., to move into second place.

After charging through the pack, GEICO Powersports Honda's Trey Canard, of Shawnee, Okla., passed Morais to secure second place. The win for Weimer marked the fifth of his AMA Supercross Lites class career. Canard finished second and Morais finished third.

"It feels good to have the first one done now," said Weimer. "I rode smooth, and I did not make any mistakes. For right now, it is weekend to weekend, and the goal is to win races."

Monster Energy Supercross heads to Phoenix's Chase Field next weekend for the second stop on the championship circuit.

AMA Supercross Class Results: Anaheim 1

1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha

2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki

3. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda

4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda

5. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki

6. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha

7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha

8. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha

9. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda

10. Grant Langston, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha

AMA Supercross Class Season Standings

1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 25

2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 22

3. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 20

4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 18

5. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 16

6. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 15

7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 14

8. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 13

9. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 12

10. Grant Langston, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 11

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results: Anaheim 1

1. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki

2. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda

3. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki

4. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda

5. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda

6. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha

7. Tommy Searle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM

8. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo, Kawasaki

9. Max Anstie, Hemet, Calif., Yamaha

10. Jeff Alessi, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 25

2. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 22

3. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 20

4. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 18

5. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda16

6. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 15

7. Tommy Searle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 14

8. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo, Kawasaki, 13

9. Max Anstie, Hemet, Calif., Yamaha, 12

10. Jeff Alessi, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 11

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For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com.