Dungey earns his third consecutive with in Oakland.
Photo Credit: Jeff Kardas
ELLENTON, Fla. (February 3, 2016) – Reigning Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, titleholder Ryan Dungey is off to a flying start in 2016. The Red Bull KTM rider has won three of the first four races this season, leading 56 of the last 60 Main Event laps en route to amassing the three-race win streak he brings into Saturday’s inaugural race from University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on February 6. After a near-flawless start to his Western Regional 250SX Class title defense, misfortune stopped Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha rider Cooper Webb’s undefeated run, allowing Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Joey Savatgy to earn his first career win and move into the points lead.
** TELEVISION PROGRAMMING ALERT – GLENDALE, AZ **
There will be multiple ways to watch Saturday’s Monster Energy Supercross race, besides the live broadcast on FS2 and the FOX Sports GO app. Please see below for all programming details, including primetime re-airs on FS1 on Sunday night and Monday night.
- Saturday on FS2 and the FOX Sports GO app at 9:00pm EST / 6:00pm PST
Nationwide Re-air Broadcasts:
- Sunday on FS1 at 2:00am EST / 11:00pm PST
- Sunday on FS1 at 7:30pm EST / 4:30pm PST
- Monday on FS1 at 9:00pm EST / 6:00pm PST
Regional Sports Networks, Live Broadcast:
- Saturday on FOX Sports Detroit PLUS at 9:00pm EST
- Saturday on FOX Sports Midwest PLUS at 8:00pm CST
- Saturday on FOX Sports South (North Carolina & South Carolina Only) at 9:00pm EST
- Saturday on Sports Time Ohio at 9:00pm EST
- Saturday on FOX Sports Sun at 9:00pm EST
- Saturday on FOX Sports West at 6:00pm PST
Regional Sports Networks, In Progress Broadcast (after regularly scheduled programming concludes):
- Saturday on FOX Sports Arizona PLUS at 9:00pm MST
- Saturday on FOX Sports North PLUS at 10:00pm CST
- Saturday on FOX Sports South (Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia) at 11:00pm EST
- Saturday on FOX Sports Southwest (New Orleans Pelicans viewers) at 9:30pm CST
- Saturday on FOX Sports Southwest (San Antonio, Houston & Memphis Grizzlies viewers) at 10:00pm CST
- Saturday on FOX Sports Southwest (Dallas Mavericks viewers) at 10:00pm CST
- Saturday on FOX Sports Wisconsin at 10:00pm CST
- Saturday on YES Network at 10:30pm EST
Some key insights to watch heading into this Saturday night’s race include:>
- Can Ryan Dungey earn his 21st consecutive podium finish?
- In the 42-year history of Monster Energy Supercross, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki have collectively never gone through the first five races of the year without a win. This season, the 43rd all time, could be the first in which those manufacturers go winless. Through four races KTM has three wins and Husqvarna has one win.
- Can Ken Roczen earn three straight podium finishes for the second time in his career?
- With only seven points separate second from sixth in the 450SX Class standings, there is an opportunity for one of those riders to make a significant climb in the points in a single race.
- Cooper Webb’s seven-race win streak came to a halt in Oakland, two wins shy of tying Ricky Carmichael for the second-longest 250SX Class win streak of all-time. James Stewart currently holds the record at 12 consecutive wins. Can Webb start a new streak?
- With four races left, Joey Savatgy has a two-point advantage over Webb. Historically, the rider that has won the first three races in a 250SX Class season has gone on to win the championship in 17 of 18 seasons.
- Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart are tied on the all-time 450SX Class win list in Phoenix at three wins apiece. With a win this weekend, Stewart would move into sole possession of most wins in Phoenix. In the 250SX Class, Stewart, Jake Weimer and Nathan Ramsey are tied on the all-time win list at two apiece. Stewart, Dungey, Eli Tomac, Jeff Emig, David Vuillemin and Kevin Windham have all won in both classes in Phoenix.
- Last Saturday night in Oakland, Dungey led all 20 laps of the 450SX Class Main Event en route to his third consecutive victory and extended his points lead to 22. In 2010, Dungey captured the first win of his 450SX Class career in Phoenix before going on to win the championship. This Saturday night, he will race for his third win in Phoenix.
Last Saturday night inside O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California, Dungey enjoyed his most convincing effort to date, grabbing the SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award and going on to lead all 20 laps of the 450SX Class Main Event. It was the first win for Dungey in Oakland and signified a landmark 25th career victory. He extended his points lead to 22 markers over Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson and Monster Energy 360fly/Chaparral/Yamaha Factory Racing’s Chad Reed, who currently sit tied for second. Moreover, Dungey extended his podium streak, which now sits at 20 races dating back to last season.
“To be able to get out front and find your lines early in the race is key,” said Dungey. “It’s great to see all of the hard work pay off. I am really happy for Marvin [Musquin], who is my teammate, for earning the first podium of his career. I train with him during the week, and tonight he proved he has the speed.”
For the second consecutive race RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Ken Roczen finished on the podium, this time earning a season-best result in second. Roczen now sits in fourth place in season standings, two points behind Anderson and Reed, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
“We are making steps in the right direction every weekend,” said Roczen. “There were some parts of the track tonight where I was doing well and others where I struggled.”
Dungey’s Red Bull KTM teammate Marvin Musquin became the newest 450SX Class podium finisher in history with a career-best third-place effort. In doing so, Musquin moved into seventh place in season standings, up from 10th place.
The battle behind Dungey in the 450SX Class standings is becoming increasingly close, with just seven points separating second from sixth. These riders have battled for a spot in the top five all season, with four of the five finishing on the podium at least once.
In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Webb appeared to be well on his way to a fourth straight victory to start the season after taking the lead on Lap 3. However, his bike lost power on Lap 12, allowing Savatgy to take over control of the race and win for the first time.
“To be on the podium and have the points lead going into our first-ever race in Glendale, Arizona next weekend is awesome,” said Savatgy.
Behind him, CycleTrader/Rock River Yamaha’s Colt Nichols also enjoyed a career highlight, finishing in the runner-up spot for his first-ever podium, and moving from sixth to fourth in the championship standings. GEICO Honda’s Christian Craig bounced back from crashing out of the lead earlier in the race to earn his second straight podium finish in third. He also won the first SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award of his career.
“Honestly, I didn’t really get off to the greatest start,” said Nichols. “I made it kind of hard on myself. And then, after that, I put my head down and tried to pass as many people as I could. I saw a few people tip over, and we took advantage of that. It was just a really good ride for me. Once I kind of realized where I was at, it was probably the worst I’ve ridden in a while, and I was getting a little nervous out there. But, this has just been such a dream of mine for so long. So, to see it finally come true, it’s just a really big deal for me and the whole CycleTrader/Rock River Yamaha team. It’s such a good feeling, and I can’t wait for next weekend.”
Webb’s 21st-place finish erased the 18-point lead he had coming into Oakland and leaves him second in the standings behind Savatgy, who moved from third to first and will carry the red number plate for the first time with a two-point lead. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne sits third, five points out of the lead.
First through fifth in the Western Regional 250SX Class Championship are separated by just 16 points, each rider with at least one podium finish this season.
During last year’s 450SX Class Main Event in Phoenix, Eli Tomac made his 15th career 450SX Class start and became the 58th different rider to win a 450SX Class race. The win was his third career podium and fifth career top five. In the 250SX Class, Webb made his 11th career 250SX Class start and became the 98th different rider to win a 250SX Class race. It was his fourth career podium and first-ever win.
The entire 2016 Monster Energy Supercross Championship will air live on FOX Sports, including two races on the FOX broadcast channel. In addition, the authenticated FOX Sports Go app will live stream each race.
As a precursor to the live television, don’t forget to catch all of the pre-race coverage with Supercross Race Day Live presented by AMSOIL, which will stream on SupercrossLive.com from 12:50 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. local race time each Saturday during the season. Practice, qualifying, behind the scenes features, and key rider interviews will all be highlighted on the Supercross Race Day Live presented by AMSOIL webcast.
For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossLive.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross.
