Championship leader Ryan Dungey has taken another round victory, beating home teammate Marvin Musquin in second.
By Hayden Gregory
As the championship headed East for the first time this year, Ryan Dungey continued on his winning ways albeit without a little competition from his training partner Marvin Musquin. The 450 Rookie was brilliant capturing the lead on lap one from holeshot getter Justin Brayton before opening up a gap on the field.
On lap two the field began to sort itself out as Dungey quickly moved into second and Aussie legend Chad Reed climbed to third. The three riders would create their own race out in front with Dungey set on reigning in Musquin for the win. The Frenchman was looking fantastic out front holding off Dungey before a final lap incident with the returning James Stewart forced him off his line.
Musquin was trying to pass the lapped rider when he changed lines in the whoops throwing Musquin off to the side. The mishap allowed Dungey to squeeze past while Musquin was able to recover back in second.
Dungey stretched ahead to take his fifth win of the season extending his overall championship points lead to 33 over Ken Roczen.
“I was wanting to make the pass happen, but Marvin [Musquin] was setting the pace out front. A really good one,” said Dungey. “I lost some ground and then would gain on him. It kept going like that. Unfortunately we [almost] got together there at the end, but that’s racing. He’s [still] a winner tonight. To run like that like as a rookie is impressive.”
Musquin recorded the best finish of his 450SX career to claim second, a race which so easily could have seen him take the chequered flag.
“I’m happy and disappointed right now. This is my best finish in the 450SX Class and I was pushing hard, but I really wanted to get the win. I’m happy for the Red Bull KTM team to go first and second.”
Chad Reed worked his way back onto the podium after a few weeks back down in the pack. Davi Millsap’s and Justin Brayton rounded out the top five. A seventh place finish by Jason Anderson keeps him in the championship hunt holding onto third place behind Dungey and Roczen.
250SX Class Results
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
2. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
3. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
5. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM
6. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
7. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
8. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
9. Christophe Pourcel, San Antonio, Fla., Husqvarna
10. Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 191
2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki – 158
3. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna – 145
4. Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda – 134
5. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha – 132
6. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki – 129
7. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM – 114
8. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 103
9. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM – 98
10. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki – 77
