James ‘Bubba’ Stewart captured his second career Daytona Supercross at the hallowed Daytona International Speedway on Saturday. Red Bull KTM riders Marvin Musquin and Ken Roczen, however, both had a bad night, while Ryan Dungey was forced to sit it out altogether on the injury bench…
It's been a great weekend for the newly minted Red Bull-backed rider James ‘Bubba’ Stewart following his domination of the 16-lap Daytona Supercross.
"It means a lot," said Stewart, who previously won at Daytona in 2007. "I felt good all day. I was fastest in practice. Once I got in front, I was just trying to survive."
Constant rain showers before the race saw the Supercross Main Event reduced by four laps and the Lites Main Event by three laps but that didn’t stop Stewart from achieving a blazing return to form: "This means a lot to me,” said Bubba after the race. “I've had a rough past few weeks and the start was really important. It's heartwarming when two JGR Yamaha get first into the first corner."
Rounding out the podium were Davi Millisaps in second and Kevin Windham in third, while defending Supercross champ and current AMA Supercross points leader Ryan Villopoto was forced to accept fifth place after falling during the first corners of the race.
Taking fourth place and just missing out on a podium spot was Red Bull KTM rider Marvin Musquin, who put in an impressive performance despite Daytona having only been his second competitive ride in the big class on the KTM 350 SX-F.
His ride was an important boost for the team after an announcement on Friday that Ryan Dungey was out with a broken collarbone.
“The conditions were tough but it was so fun,” said Marvin. “I am really disappointed my teammate, Ryan Dungey, couldn’t be here and I tried to do well for him tonight. It would have been nice to be on the podium but I am really happy to get this close.”
Copyright: Hoppenworld
Dungey remains in second in the series point standings despite not racing the Daytona Supercross. He is now at home healing up from a surgery to plate his collarbone. He plans to return to racing when he is 100% fit, currently estimated to be within the next 4-6 weeks.
Meanwhile in the 12-lap SX 12-lap Lites Main Event, Honda's Justin Barcia took the top spot and remained stayed unbeaten in 2012 by holding off Kawasaki's Blake Baggett to second place. Darryn Durham took third, while Red Bull KTM rider Ken Roczen grabbed a solid fourth place, which he held on to despite a crash in the opening lap.
“Tonight was the hardest race I have ridden,” said Ken. “Everything was wet and slippery. It was so hard to hold on to the grips. It was even hard to not slip off my seat. It was definitely a challenge and I am happy to finish safely.”
The next event will take place in Indianapolis on March 17.
Overall Results SX Class:
1, James Stewart
2, Davi Millsaps
3, Kevin Windham
4, Marvin Musquin
5, Ryan Villopoto
Overall Point Standings SX Class:
1, Ryan Villopoto – 221
2, Ryan Dungey – 192
3, James Stewart – 177
Overall Results SX Lites Class:
1, Justin Barcia
2, Blake Baggett
3, Darryn Durham
4, Ken Roczen – KTM
5, Blake Wharton
Overall Point Standings SX Lites:
1, Justin Barcia – 100
2, Darryn Durham – 76
3, Ken Roczen – 75
Want more?
- Check out James Stewart’s official site
- Check out Ryan's profile page
- Marvin Musquin's profile on redbull.com
- More Red Bull motor sports
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