This Week in Monster Energy AMA Supercross

Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, takes to the track tomorrow at Texas Stadium where the gate will drop for the 29th time. The AMA Supercross class race will air on SPEED Sunday, April 6 at 6:00 p.m. (EST), and the AMA Supercross Lites race will air on SPEED Saturday April 12 at 4:00 p.m.

Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing is in full swing again, following last week’s AMA Supercross race at Toronto, Ontario. Because the Toronto event was an independent race, AMA Supercross Lites contender Nico Izzi did not participate. Izzi took advantage of the downtime, however, to focus on saddle time in preparation for this weekend’s race at Texas Stadium.

“I was able to train more,” said Izzi, who picked up his first AMA Supercross Lites podium at the recent Indianapolis race. “I bicycled more, rode the Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 more, did everything a little more. Since we had a few weeks off, I was able to work really hard. You usually can’t do that while you’re racing every weekend because you don’t want to over-train. I was just able to do a little more of everything in order to get ready for Dallas. I spent the first part of the break riding in Florida and then the rest of the time I’ve been at our track in Georgia. Now, I’m just focused on this weekend.”

In the premier AMA Supercross class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s David Vuillemin has continued to train on supercross-style tracks as he prepares for the upcoming Dallas race.

“I wanted to ride motocross this week, but I decided to continue riding supercross in order to end the season well,” said Vuillemin. “I’ve been riding on the dry Suzuki test track to get used to the hard-packed conditions. If it’s dry, Dallas is always hard, slick and slippery. Texas Stadium itself is massive and pretty unique because it’s only open over the field. We had mud races there in the past and hopefully we’ll get nice weather this year. I used to live in Dallas so it’s kind of cool to go back.”

Monster Energy® Kawasaki is ready to return to Texas and after getting back on track at Toronto, Timmy Ferry is set to get back on the podium. At Texas Stadium last season Ferry finished third in the main event.


“It was pretty wet last year,” said Ferry. “For some reason in Texas they think it is cool to have a hole in the roof. I hear it is so God can watch them play football, but I think he can see through the roof. No really, there is a really small chance for rain so I think it will be a good event. My endurance should be better, so I think I can have a good race.”

Ferry’s teammate Travis Preston is hoping the weird track conditions that have followed the series this season are through, but he is predicting they aren’t. Preston put together a solid race weekend in Toronto, charging through the field after he fell on the first lap.

“I sure hope I have an advantage there,” said Preston. “It is just a short drive away from where I’ve been riding. I’m looking forward to it. The way things are going this season, I guarantee it is going to rain so we will just expect that. It has been a weird season so far. I just need to put together a full race and ride as hard as I did last week and I’ll get a good result.”

The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team hopes to repeat its results from its last trip to of Texas. Austin Stroupe earned his first career victory in Houston back in February and now Ryan Villopoto is coming off of his first win of the 2008. Though he has had a two week break, Villopoto has been busy.

“During the break we did some outdoor testing,” said Villopoto. “Our main focus though was trying to get the supercross title. I’ve got to make up 24 points in three races. It’s going to be tough, but we think we can do it.”

Villopoto’s teammate Branden Jesseman also spent the two week break working hard to be ready for the Dallas event.

“I’ve been busting my butt for two weeks,” said Jesseman. “I knew there were areas I needed to work on and I spent the break making sure I get better. I think I can get a podium and be a factor in the next three races.”

The 13th race of the AMA Supercross season in Dallas looks promising for MDK KTM factory rider Nick Wey who is looking to improve upon his season best 6th place finish from last weekend’s race in Toronto.

“I feel great and can’t wait to race in Dallas. I came up just shy of a fifth place finish in Toronto and now am ready to break into the top five this weekend,” commented Wey. In typical fashion Wey spent the week training at various tracks, including Perris Raceway, on Tuesday afternoon where MDK KTM Lites rider Justin Brayton could also be found.

“I am healed from my wrist injury earlier in the season and am ready to get back out and race. I’m really excited for the Seattle round coming up and I hope to be in the top three at that event,” reported Brayton.

Brayton’s teammates Matt Goerke and Ryan Sipes will be racing the Lites class in Dallas this week. Goerke, who has been living and training out in California the past three weeks, has really stepped up his game. “We’ve seen a significant improvement in Goerke’s riding since he’s been out in California and hope to see a top five performance from him this weekend,” claimed MDK KTM Lites Team Manager Danny Paladino.

MDK KTM Factory rider Martin Davalos enjoyed his time off near his home with family and friends nearby. “I enjoyed the break and am ready to get back to racing. I’ve been close to the front this season and hope to get a win soon,” stated Davalos.