Ryan Villopoto‘s winning streak was snapped, KTM scored its second series win and Cole Seely impressed as an injury replacement for Trey Canard as the 2012 AMA Supercross Championship landed in Atlanta, Ga.
Racing for the American Honda Muscle Milk team, Seely nabbed the holeshot and led the opening seven laps before finally being overtaken by Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey.
Monster Energy Kawasaki‘s Villopoto had a poor start by his standards, finishing the first lap in sixth place. Also off to a slow start was JGRMX Yamaha‘s James Stewart who was ninth after the first lap.
Villopoto and Stewart soon began to gain ground however. Villopoto was back in a podium position by Lap 5 while Stewart also surged through the pack. Villopoto passed Seely on Lap 11 and took aim at Dungey but had to settle for second by 2.727 seconds. Stewart moved into third place on Lap 12 and finished there, over 20 seconds back of Dungey.
Seely finished 36 seconds back in sixth place after leading the first third of the race. Currently third in the Supercross Lites West division, Seely is using the opportunity to show what he can do in the premiere class.
After eight rounds, Villopoto remains in the lead at 180 points. Dungey cut three points off Villopoto’s lead to sit second at 170 points. Stewart’s podium pushed him into third place past Chad Reed whose season is over after an injury the previous round in Texas. With just 136 points however, and two skilled racers ahead of him, Stewart has a difficult challenge ahead of him if he hopes to contend for the championship.
The 2012 AMA Supercross season continues March 3 in St. Louis, Mo.
[Source: AMA Supercross; Photos by Yamaha and Hoppenworld.com]
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