Photo: KTM Images – Words by: MXSports.com

High Point Raceway Will Mark First East Coast Race of 2012 Season

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. (June 5, 2012) – Following back-to-back runner-up efforts to start the season, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey broke through for his first win of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, in Colorado. Dungey’s 15th-career 450 Class victory vaulted him into the points lead, and now the former champion will bring the red number plate into the fourth round of the season from Southern Pennsylvania’s High Point Raceway for Saturday’s FMF High Point National, presented by United Bank.

Despite missing out on a moto win through the two weekends of competition, Dungey was ready to challenge then points leader James Stewart in the high altitude of Colorado. After misfortune struck Stewart in the early stages of the opening 450 Class moto, Dungey capitalized, leading the remainder of the laps in both motos to post a perfect 1-1 effort. It was the third straight victory for Dungey at Thunder Valley MX Park and it put him in a familiar position in the point standings.

The win also marked the first overall victory for KTM in the premier class and with the momentum of such a dominant effort behind them, Dungey and his team is prepared for the challenges that will be presented from the 450 Class field in Mt. Morris this weekend, looking for his second career victory at the facility.

Additionally, all eyes will be on Stewart throughout the week leading into Saturday’s race. The former champion and two-time winner this season is on the mend following his hard luck last weekend, but is sure to do everything in his power to be back on the track at High Point and potentially reclaim the points lead.

Last season at High Point, eventual champion Ryan Villopoto captured his first win of the summer, with Chad Reed and Dungey joining him on the podium.

In 250 Class competition, three different riders have stood atop the podium through the first three races this season. GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia became the latest victor, breaking a 27-race winless streak to join his teammate Eli Tomac and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett in the winner’s column.

Only 22 points separate the top four riders in the championship standings, which includes the three triumphant riders as well as Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen. Of the four, both Baggett, who has led the points all season, and Roczen have finished on the podium at each stop. The duo’s consistency could give them a slight edge heading into High Point, but with such high parity defining the championship early, the competition is sure to be captivating and wide open.

Baggett is the defending race winner at High Point, providing wild, yet impressive come-from-behind effort in each moto to finish 1-1 on the day and secure his second win of the 2011 season. Tyla Rattray and Tomac accompanied him on the podium.

The Women’s Motocross Championship will return to High Point Raceway for just the second time ever and the first time since the 2009 season on Saturday. Currently, Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Jessica Patterson sits atop the championship, extending her points lead with 1-1 effort last weekend to grab her second win of the season. Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Ashley Fiolek sits second in the standings, with Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Tarah Gieger in third.

At the WMX Class’ inaugural visit to Mt. Morris, Fiolek posted 1-1 moto results en route to the 2009 title, with Patterson and Sherri Cruse rounding out the podium.

As it has for the past 35 years, High Point Raceway will challenge riders with its captivating collection of high speed, high technicality and big air. The FMF High Point National marks the East Coast debut of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship this summer and enthusiasts can count on seeing the trademark bar-to-bar competition that has helped the facility become a favorite amongst riders and fans alike. With exciting changes to the layout taking place, fans will see more spectacular racing than ever before at one of the sport’s most popular circuits.

The FMF High Point National, presented by United Bank, will commence this Saturday, June 9, from Mt. Morris, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern. Live coverage of the opening motos on FUEL TV and AlliSports.com will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern. Additionally, live coverage of the second motos for each class can be seen on NBC Sports Network at 5 p.m. Eastern.

Previous Round Results and Current Standings

Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
Toyota Thunder Valley National
Thunder Valley MX Park – Lakewood, Colo.
June 2, 2012
Round 3 of 12

450 Class (Moto Finish)

1.    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (1-1)
2.    Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (2-4)
3.    Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda (7-2)
4.    Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha (5-5)
5.    Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki (3-10)
6.    Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (4-9)
7.    Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Honda (9-6)
8.    Michael Byrne, Rockhampton, Australia, Suzuki (12-7)
9.    Billy Laninovich, Temecula, Calif., Honda (11-8)
10.    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki (10-11)

450 Class Championship Standings

1.    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 136
2.    Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 101
3.    James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 100
4.    Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 100
5.    Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 97
6.    Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki, 84
7.    Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 73
8.    Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha, 71
9.    Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki, 63
10.    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki, 50

250 Class (Moto Finish)

1.    Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (1-2)
2.    Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (3-1)
3.    Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM (2-4)
4.    Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (4-3)
5.    Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (5-5)
6.    Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., KTM (8-6)
7.    Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki (6-9)
8.    Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda (10-7)
9.    Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Yamaha (9-10)
10.    Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda (7-14)

250 Class Championship Standings

1.    Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 139
2.    Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 123
3.    Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 120
4.    Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 117
5.    Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 84
6.    Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 82
7.    Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 71
8.    Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Yamaha, 65
9.    Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda, 62
10.    Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 61

WMX Class (Moto Finish)

1.    Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki (1-1)
2.    Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda (3-2)
3.    Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (2-6)
4.    Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Honda (7-3)
5.    Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM (4-5)
6.    Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Honda (6-4)
7.    Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM (5-7)
8.    Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM (8-11)
9.    Sade Allender, Sanford, Maine, Honda (12-9)
10.    Amanda Brown, Baltimore, Md., Honda (11-10)

WMX Class Standings

1.    Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 141
2.    Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 125
3.    Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda, 114
4.    Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Honda, 99
5.    Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Honda, 88
6.    Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM, 82
7.    Meghan Rutledge, New South Wales, Australia, Kawasaki, 78
8.    Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM, 76
9.    Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda, 75
10.    Sade Allender, Sanford, Maine, Honda, 52

Tickets for all 12 rounds of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship can be found atwww.allisports.com.

For additional information please visit AlliSports.com/motocross also, “like” the American Motocross Facebook page, “follow” @AmericanMX on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and information on the latest Lucas Oil Motocross news and developments.

For media information about the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, please contact MX Sports Pro Racing via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com.

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.