Weimer Wins First AMA Supercross Lites Race of his Career

PHOENIX (January 12, 2008) – Monster Energy® Kawasaki’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., won his first Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race at Chase Field tonight before 46,121 fans. Torco Fuels Honda’s Jake Weimer, of Rupert, Idaho, won his first Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites main event in an amazing 15-lap battle.

 Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Mike Alessi, of Victorville, won the $1,500 Progressive Holeshot Award with Stewart and Team San Manuel’s Chad Reed, of Tampa, Fla., following in second and third respectively. Stewart made quick work of Alessi as he moved into the lead. On the same lap, Reed moved into second place.

 On lap two, Reed passed Stewart, but Stewart regained the position a few turns later. Reed chased Stewart for the next 18 laps but was unable to make the pass. The win is Stewart’s second consecutive at Chase Field.

 “I knew all along that I felt good, and I was able to ride a decent race,” said Stewart. “If you have to get ready, you aren’t ready.”

 “It was a good race, and I had fun out there,” said Reed. “It was a typical Phoenix track; slick and dry.”

 Torco Fuels Honda’s Jake Weimer, of Rupert, Idaho, won the $1,000 Progressive Holeshot Award, with Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., following closely in second and Yamaha’s Broc Hepler, of Kittanning, Pa., in third to open the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites feature. Dungey moved in to the lead on lap two, and Hepler snuck into second place. This set up an epic race that included at least seven passes for the lead.

 On lap four, Hepler passed Dungey for the lead, but Dungey struck back and he moved into the lead. The two changed positions until lap 10 when Dungey bobbled in a corner, allowing Hepler and Weimer to move into the number one and number two positions. On lap 11, Hepler spun out and Weimer assumed first place with Dungey in second. Dungey stalked Weimer until the last lap when he unsuccessfully attempted to pass Weimer.

 “I got the holeshot for the first time in my life, so that made it easy to stay up front,” said Weimer. “I just stayed smart out there, and I was able to take advantage when I needed to.”

 AMA Supercross Class Results, Phoenix

1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
3. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
5. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki
7. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha
8. Josh Hansen, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
9. Charles Summey, Huntersville, N.C., Yamaha
10. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki

AMA Supercross Class Season Standings

1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 47
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 47
3. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 36
4. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 31
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 31
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 30
7. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 24
8. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 22
9. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 21
10. Grant Langston, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha, 19

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results, Phoenix

1. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
4. Broc Hepler, Kittanning, Pa., Yamaha
5. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
7. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha
8. Dan Reardon, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
9. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Honda
10. Billy Laninovich, Fort Worth, Texas, KTM

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 47
2. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 38
3. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 35
4. Dan Reardon, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 31
5. Broc Hepler, Kittanning, Pa., Yamaha, 28
6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 25
7. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha, 25
8. Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 22
9. Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Kawasaki, 22
10. Michael LaPaglia, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 18

KTM Junior Supercross Challenge

1. Gavin Tomberlin, El Granada, Calif., KTM
2. Zachary Darnley, Fresno, Calif., KTM
3. Conner Mullennix, Lakeside, Calif., KTM
4. Stephen Waugh, Buena Vista, Colo., KTM
5. Cody Benacka, Prescott Valley, Ariz., KTM
6. Jacob Schockey, Menifee Valley, Calif., KTM
7. Kamren Larsen, Bakersfield, Calif., KTM
8. Kristopher Richner, Florida, N.Y., KTM
9. Shaun Jones, Henderson, Nev., KTM
10. Dan Ingram, San Marcos, Texas, KTM
11. Noah Mortensen, St. George, Utah, KTM
12. Maxwell Xander, Scottsdale, Ariz., KTM
13. Scott Byron, Hanson, Mass., KTM
14. Jimmy Lundquist, Acton, Calif., KTM
15. Anissa Lee, Spanaway, Wash., KTM

Racing returns next Saturday, January 19, at Anaheim’s Angel Stadium. SPEED will broadcast the AMA Supercross class tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. EST and the AMA Supercross Lites class January 19 at 1:00 p.m.

 For more information on the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dennyhartwig@livenation.com or 630-566-6305.

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