COMPLETE FREESTONE 250/450 NATIONAL RESULTS

450 CLASS

Stewart capitalized on strong starts in the 450 Class, working his way into the lead prior to the conclusion of the opening lap in each moto. Behind him, KTM’s Ryan Dungey asserted himself in both motos, setting his sights on passing Stewart for the lead multiple times.

However, despite being faster than his rival throughout a significant portion of each moto, Dungey was unable to find a way to get past Stewart. The duo was separated by mere bike lengths throughout the combined 34 laps of racing across both motos, but the lead position never changed hands. Regardless, the two former champions provided captivating competition that kept the fans cheering all afternoon long.

“I thought my day went good,” said Stewart, who’s 18th-career win ties him for fourth on the all-time wins list. “It was a tough one, but fun. I got two good starts, made quick passes, and set the tone with a good pace. Ryan rode really well, but I did my own (thing) out front. I knew he’d be there the whole time. I felt like we were even today and if he had gotten out front, he could have done the same thing.” Dungey’s pair of runner-up finishes landed him second overall, while Mike Alessi secured his second straight podium result in third (5-3).

“I got off to good starts in both motos,” said Dungey. “I tried to make a pass happen the whole moto, but there was maybe more I should have done. It just didn’t come together. James is a tough competitor and it’s good for the both of us to push each other to new limits.” Stewart extended his championship lead to 14 points over Dungey.

250 CLASS

Blake Baggett, Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen on the 250 podium. Photo: Hoppenworld

In the 250 Class, Tomac showed an unmatched pace in both motos. The recently-crowned AMA Supercross Western Regional Champion had not won a Lucas Oil National Motocross race since his history-making professional debut during the 2010 season, but on Saturday, he was in a league of his own.

In Moto 1, Tomac was forced to work his way up from a fifth-place start, but he wasted little time in doing so, moving to the lead by Lap 3 and pulling away from the field by over 10 seconds. He put forth a similar effort in Moto 2, overcoming a sixth-place start to take over the top spot by Lap 7 and once again win by over 10 seconds to cap off a dominant afternoon.

“The last two seasons have been roller-coasters to say the least,” said Tomac. “I pretty much ruined my rookie season here (due to the heat), so to come back and get a win is just awesome. I’ve been doing this for three years and every year you learn the tracks and the bikes more, and I feel like everything is working perfectly now. I didn’t get greatest starts today, but I found some good lines and got a good flow all day.”

Last week’s winner, Blake Baggett posted 2-2 moto scores to finish second overall, with Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen, of Germany, finishing third for the second straight weekend (3-4). “I’m pumped to salvage out a second with poor starts,” said Baggett, who holds a 14-point lead in the championship. “The most important thing is I still have the red plate (for the series points lead). Hopefully I can keep it for the next 10 rounds.”

In the Women’s Motocross Championship, Honda’s Ashley Fiolek overcame a bout with food poisoning to take her first win of the season with 2-1 moto scores. Last week’s winner, Jessica Patterson finished second (1-2), while Australian Meghan Rutledge was third (3-3).

The 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship continues next week, with round three from Thunder Valley MX Park in Lakewood, Colorado on Saturday, June 2.

Stewie is two-for-two or four-for-four…but really all that matters is the 2 for 2 ? unless he can go 24 for 24.

FREESTONE RESULTS: 450 CLASS
1. James Stewart…1-1
2. Ryan Dungey…2-2
3. Mike Alessi….5-3
4. Jake Weimer…3-6  
5. Josh Grant….6-4
6. Andrew Short…10-5
7. Tommy Hahn…9-7
8. Brett Metcalfe…13-10
9. Nico Izzi…4-25
10. Ryan Sipes…8-17
11. Michael Byrne…12-15
12. Robert Kiniry….17-11
13. Justin Brayton….14-14
14. Broc Tickle….7-40
15. Kyle Regal…25-8
16. Derek Anderson…22-9
17. Cole Thompson…19-13
18. Matt Lemoine…11-27
19. Kyle Chisholm…30-12
20. Kevin Rookstool…16-19
Other notables: 21. Jimmy Albertson; 26. Austin Howell; 27. Billy Laninovich; 30. Vince Friese;  42. Davi Millsaps (DNS)

FREESTONE RESULTS: 250 CLASS
1. Eli Tomac…1-1
2. Blake Baggett…2-2
3. Ken Roczen…3-4
4. Blake Wharton…6-3
5. Justin Barcia… 4-5
6. Marvin Musquin…5-8
7. Jessy Nelson…7-9
8. Wil Hahn…12-6
9. Jake Canada…8-14
10. Kyle Cunningham…13-12
11. Martin Davalos…14- 13
12. Jason Anderson…22-7
13. Travis Baker…18-10
14. Kyle Peters…9-23
15. Alex Martin…16-15  
16. Zack Freeberg…15-16
17. Gareth Swanepoel…10-38
18. Malcolm Stewart…39-11
19. Ivan Tedesco…11-22  
20. Hunter Hewitt…17-2
Other notables: 22. A.J. Cantazaro; 27. Travis Bell; 32. Ozzy Barbaree; 35. Steve Roman; 39. Tevin Tapia

450 POINTS STANDINGS
(After 2 of 12 events)
1. James Stewart…100
2. Ryan Dungey…86
3. Mike Alessi…70
4. Jake Weimer…61
5. Andrew Short…61
6. Josh Grant…58
7. Brett Metcalfe…53
8. Broc Tickle…43
9. Nico Izzi…39
10. Tommy Hahn…39
Other notables: 12. Davi Millsaps (29); 17. Justin Brayton (19); 19. Kyle Regal (17); 26. Nick Wey (5); 30. Austin Howell (1).