While Red Bull KTM's Ryan Dungey continues to amass one of the most impressive seasons in the history of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, he now has company in RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy Johns/Suzuki Factory Racing's Ken Roczen. As the season prepares for its eighth race of the 2016 championship from Atlanta's Georgia Dome this Saturday, February 27, these longtime rivals and former teammates are ready to continue their captivating battle at the front of the 450SX Class. In the 250SX Class, the anticipated Eastern Regional Championship will kick off with its first race in what looks to be a wide-open title fight.
Some key insights to watch heading into this Saturday night's race include:
- Ken Roczen earned his sixth career 450SX Class victory with his win in Arlington putting him alone in 25th on the all-time win list. It was his 37th career class start. The victory was also Suzuki's 70th 450SX Class win of all-time.
- Ryan Dungey finished second pushing his podium streak to 25 in-a-row. He also now has 18 consecutive finishes within the top two.
- Dungey will be looking for his 80th career podium in Atlanta. He is looking to move into third on the all-time podiums list if he earns nine more podiums to finish the season.
- Dungey has a top five in 95 of his 107 career starts, which is 89%. That is the best top five percentage ever.
- Mike Alessi made his 100th career 450SX Class start in Arlington tying him with Rick Johnson. Alessi is the 22nd rider to ever make it to 100.
The 450SX Class Main Event last Saturday from Arlington, Texas' AT&T Stadium was one of the most exciting of the 2016 season as it pitted Dungey and Roczen in a head-to-head battle for victory. Roczen captured his first SupercrossLive.com Holeshot Award to start, but Dungey made the pass for the lead on the opening lap and looked to open a gap. Roczen responded to Dungey the following lap and became the first rider this season to pass the defending champion and current points leader for the lead in a Main Event.
"It felt great to grab the holeshot tonight, I think we have more wins than we do holeshots," said Roczen. "Ryan [Dungey] was right on us the entire race, but we stayed tough and brought home the win."
Although he missed out on adding a fifth win to his season total, Dungey extended his podium streak to 23 races and has not finished worse than second for 18 races dating back to last season.
"At the end of the race we were pushing the pace," said Dungey. "I made a pass for the lead, but Ken [Roczen] got me back exactly where I passed him. To leave with good points and finish second is something to be proud of."
Following Roczen and Dungey in third was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Jason Anderson, who earned his first podium result since winning the first race of the season.
In the 450SX Class standings, Roczen reduced his deficit to Dungey to 23 points while Anderson solidified his hold on third, 35 points out of the lead.
Following seven weeks of Western Regional 250SX Class competition, the time has arrived to the Eastern Regional Championship to take center stage. With the move of defending champion Marvin Musquin to the 450SX Class, a new champion will emerge this season. The Eastern Regional field consists of seven former 250SX Class Main Event winners ready to engage in what should be one of the most hotly contested title fights in recent memory.
Previous Race Results
AT&T Stadium - Arlington
February 20, 2016
450SX Class Results
1. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
3. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
4. Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda
5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki
6. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
7. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
8. Christophe Pourcel, San Antonio, Fla., Husqvarna
9. Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda
10. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM - 166
2. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki - 143
3. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna - 131
4. Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda - 121
5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki - 119
6. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha - 112
7. Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM - 92
8. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM - 85
9. Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM - 82
10. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki - 73
Western Regional 250SX Class Results
1. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha
2. Christian Craig, Corona, Calif., Honda
3. Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Husqvarna
4. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha
5. Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, KTM
6. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha
7. Jimmy DeCotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda
8. Chris Alldredge, Powell Butte, Ore., Kawasaki
9. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda
10. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki
Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
1. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha - 145
2. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Ga., Kawasaki - 134
3. Christian Craig, Corona, Calif., Honda - 129
4. Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha - 117
5. Zach Osborne, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Husqvarna - 110
6. Jimmy DeCotis, Peabody, Mass., Honda - 99
7. Mitchell Oldenburg, Alvord, Texas, KTM - 97
8. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Honda - 87
9. Kyle Cunningham, Willow Park, Texas, Suzuki - 69
10. Jordon Smith, Belmont, N.C., Honda - 63