Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey claimed another AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro record becoming the first rookie in series history to win 10 rounds in the same National Championship season. Photo courtesy of www.ryandungey.com

Red Bull Honda rider Andrew Short is always a sure bet for the holeshot at the start of any AMA national. Once again, it was Short out front early with Yamaha/MotoConcepts rider Ryan Sipes in second ahead of Dungey and Honda’s Brett Metcalfe. Once again, Dungey would twist the throttle and take the lead. Metcalfe would protect his second place in the 450cc point’s championship by passing Short later in Moto One dropping the Red Bull Honda rider to third. Sipes would hold on to fourth after battling with an aggressive young Texan, Kyle Regal.

The start of Moto Two was “almost a surprise” in that Short was outraced through the first corner by a determined Brett Metcalfe. The Aussie has often had the speed this season at the start and the finish but hasn’t always stayed upright during the middle of the moto. Short would stay in the chase but both he and Metcalfe would watch Dungey pull away, yet again. Several factory teams have brought in former World Champions (even Yamaha’s Bubba Stewart) to challenge Dungey’s dominance but the Rockstar Makita rider has shown them all the backside of his Suzuki.

Dungey would cruise home for the win leaving the pair of Honda riders to battle amongst themselves for second on the day and second place in the AMA Lucas Oil 450cc national points standing. Although Short would pass Metcalfe, the Geico Powersports rider would finish third ahead of fellow Aussie, Ben Townley. Yamaha riders Kyle Chisholm and Ryan Sipes would finish fifth and sixth respectively. Metcalfe’s third overall at Pala allowed the Honda rider to maintain a 3-point lead for second place in the 450cc MX national championship.

Dungey’s historic win put the crowning touches on what was the most surprising 450cc outdoor MX national season in years. Suzuki’s Dungey will join fellow American racers Trey Canard (Geico Powersports Honda) and Andrew Short (Red Bull Honda) as the United States team tries to sweep the Trophy Des Nations at Lakewood MX in Denver, CO, in two weeks. If you are looking for a winning combination for your car, truck or motorcycle engine, insist upon E3 car spark plugs as an eco-friendly option for your favorite ride. Our patented DiamondFire Technology will deliver the Energy, Efficiency and Ecology that you need.

2010 LUCAS OIL AMA MOTOCROSS PRO CHAMPIONSHIP

AMA 450cc MX – Pala AMA MX National (Round 12)
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki           (1-1)
2)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda               (3-2)
3)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda         (2-3)
4)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda                 (6-4)
5)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha                (4-6)
6)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha                  (9-5)
7)    Kevin Windham, Centerville, MS, Honda        (7-8)
8)    Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, IA, Yamaha          (12-7)
9)    Kyle Regal, Kemp, TX, Honda                            (5-14)
10)    Nic Wey, Dewitt, MI, Kawasaki        (11-9)

AMA 450CC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki            543
2)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda        -145
3)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda               -150
4)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda                 -219
5)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM                      -229
6)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha                  -277
7)    Josh Grant, Riverside, CA                                   -283
8)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha                -298
9)    Kyle Regal, Kemp, TX, Honda                             -319
10)    Nic Wey, Dewitt, MI, Kawasaki        -320

Veteran Honda rider Kevin Windham (and daughter) hold a post-race press conference. Windham showed the same speed at Delmont that won him the AMA National at Steel City Raceway back 2001 Photo courtesy of Geico Powersports http://powersports.honda.com/

The biggest news came earlier in the week when Rockstar Makita Suzuki team manager Roger DeCoster announced that he would be leaving after 15 years at the helm of the factory’s MX racing program. The shocking press release appeared just days after Ryan Dungey became the first rookie motocross racer in history to capture the AMA Supercross and Motocross national championships in an inaugural season. DeCoster hasn’t confirmed his plans for the 2011 AMA Lucas Oil season but rumors have it that the former multi-time World Motocross Champion may be headed to KTM. In keeping with “Silly Season” news, it was also rumored that Dungey may want out of his 2011 contract with Suzuki to take a long-term deal with another team.

To nobody’s surprise, Honda/Red Bull rider Andrew Short pulled the holeshot in Moto One with Geico Powersports’s Brett Metcalfe close behind. However, the other Red Bull rider, Kevin Windham, was already working his way to the front. Windham left no doubt in the fans’ mind as to why he was Honda’s first choice as the replacement for the factory ride. After Dungey crashed on the opening lap, Windham would pass Short and Metcalfe on his way to one of the most popular wins of his stellar career. Metcalfe would hold on for second place and his hard-charging teammate and fellow Aussie, Ben Townley, would finish in third place ahead of Short. Yamaha’s Justin Brayton continued to show improvement finishing fifth in the opening moto at Steel City Raceway.

In Moto Two, all eyes would be on the newly-crowned national champion Dungey (who had finished 40th in Moto One after breaking a brake rotor and retiring early). Andrew Short would again put his Red Bull factory Honda out front at the start. However, this day belonged to Windham who passed his teammate Short to take the lead in Moto Two. Around mid-race, Dungey would pass Windham for the moto win. But, Windham’s second place was good enough to claim the overall win ahead of Metcalfe, Brayton and Short. Eighteen-year old Nick Paluzzi, was given an opportunity to race the last two AMA outdoor nationals with the Muscle Milk/Toyota Team (after Josh Grant elected to have season-ending shoulder surgery) and finished a respectable seventh overall in his debut aboard the Joe Gibbs Racing Yamaha.

The 450cc MX teams travel to the west coast for next weekend’s final round of the 2010 outdoor season at Pala Raceway. Located just east of San Deigo, CA, the Pala motocross facility features one of the first tracks in the nation that was built to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards. As E3 Spark Plugs Racing fans know, the EPA lists E3 car spark plugs as an eco-friendly option. If you are looking for a greener alternative for your car, truck or motorcycle engine, insist upon E3 replacement spark plugs for your favorite ride. Our patented DiamondFire Technology will deliver the Energy, Efficiency and Ecology that you need.

2010 LUCAS OIL AMA MOTOCROSS PRO CHAMPIONSHIP

AMA 450cc MX – Steel City AMA MX National (Round 11)
1)    Kevin Windham, Centerville, MS, Honda        (1,2)
2)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda         (2,3)
3)    Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, IA, Yamaha          (5,4)
4)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda               (4,5)
5)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM                      (7,7)
6)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki           (40-1)
7)    Nicholas Paluzzi, Riverside, CA, Yamaha         (10,8)
8)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha                  (14-6)
9)    Robert Kiniry, LaFayette, NY, Suzuki                (9,11)
10)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda                 (3-36)

AMA 450CC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki            493
2)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda        -137
3)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda               -142
4)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM                      -152
5)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda                 -202
6)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha                  -255
7)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha                -291
8)    Kyle Regal, Kemp, TX, Honda                             -292
9)    Nic Wey, Dewitt, MI, Kawasaki        -292
10)    Tommy Hahn, Decatur, TX, Suzuki        -300

Rockstar/Makita Factory Suzuki team manager Roger DeCoster was very fast in the sand, so is his protégé the newly crowned 2010 AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro National Champion Ryan Dungey. (photo courtesy of Photobucket)

Geico Powersports Honda rider Brett Metcalfe took the lead in Moto One with fellow Aussie Ben Townley in second aboard his Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda. Both riders adapted well to the sandy hills of Southwick and showed they had the speed to win at Moto-X 338. But, a couple of laps into the first moto, Townley would clip the rear wheel of Metcalfe and go down. Townley recovered and was racing with Red Bull’s Andrew Short when the two Honda riders hooked handlebars sending both racers over the berm. Metcalfe was out front with a hard charging Dungey in second place.

As most E3 Spark Plugs Racing fans know, there are two things that are for certain when you race a track like Southwick Moto-X 338. First, it is going to get rough, very rough. Secondly, it is going to take more fuel to race 30 minutes on a hilly, sandy racetrack. Unfortunately, for Metcalfe, the pit crew for his Geico Powersports Honda did not remember part two. With less than a lap to go, Metcalfe’s Honda was out of gas and coasted to a stop. The Australian’s misfortune handed the lead and the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX 450cc National Championship to Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey.

In Moto Two, the loyal Southwick crowd lined the fences as Townley grabbed an early lead ahead of newly crowned class champion Dungey in second followed by Red Bull Honda veteran Kevin Windham, Jagermeister KTM rider Mike Alessi and 2009 Southwick winner Matt Goerke. With twenty minutes to go, Dungey began to stalk Townley watching for the New Zealand rider to make a mistake. Once Townley did, Dungey railed an outside sand berm and took the lead for good. Goerke would pass Alessi and Windham to take over the third spot with a couple of laps to go. Alessi’s 3-4 finishes would give the KTM ace second overall for the day ahead of Goerke, Kyle Chisholm and Kevin Windham.

The AMA 450cc Pro MX teams head to Steel City Raceway, located just outside of Pittsburgh in Delmont, Pennsylvania, for the penultimate round of the 2010 AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro Championship on Labor Day Weekend. After announcing his retirement from motocross earlier this summer, former factory Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha rider Tim Ferry has been asked to serve as the honorary Grand Marshall for the FMF Steel City National on September 4th. If you are looking for championship performance from your street or dirt bike, insist upon E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs for your motorcycle. Our patented DiamondFire Technology will deliver the Energy, Efficiency and Ecology that you need.

2010 LUCAS OIL AMA MOTOCROSS PRO CHAMPIONSHIP

AMA 450cc MX – Southwick MX National (Round 10)
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki           (1-1)
2)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM                      (3-4)
3)    Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, FL Yamaha              (6-3)
4)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha                  (4-6)
5)    Kevin Windham, Centerville, MS, Honda        (7,5)
6)    Nic Wey, Dewitt, MI, Kawasaki                         (8-9)
7)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda                 (34-2)
8)    Tommy Hahn, Decatur, TX, Suzuki                   (2-32)
9)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda         (14,7)
10)    Dan Reardon, Australia, Yamaha                      (13,11)

AMA 450CC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki            468
2)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda             -151
3)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda                      -154
4)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM                      -195
5)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda                 -197
6)    Josh Grant, Riverside, CA, Yamaha                   -208
7)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha                  -252
8)    Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki        -264
9)    Kyle Regal, Kemp, TX, Honda                             -267
10)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha                -274

Belgian Clement Desalle (riding for Rockstar Teka Suzuki) finished 2-2 for second overall at Unadilla in his only appearance at the Lucas Oil AMA MX Pro series. Desalle is currently second in points for the World Championship chase. (Photo Courtesy of Suzuki Racing.)

E3 Car Spark Plugs racing fans know that a rookie 450cc motocross racer is never supposed to win both the AMA MX Pro Championship and the AMA Supercross Championship in their maiden season. In fact, it has never happened in the history of professional motocross. Plus, the decked was stacked against Rockstar Makita’s Ryan Dungey. After all, San Manuel Yamaha rider James “Bubba” Stewart was making his return to outdoor motocross after a two-year hiatus. Plus, Belgium’s Clement Desalle, currently second in the World Grand Prix MX Championship, was scheduled to race in his only 450cc AMA motocross event of the season.

In Friday’s practice, Stewart let everyone know that he hasn’t lost any of his speed by clocking the fastest lap times of the day. But, in Saturday’s opening moto, Bubba’s timing was a tick off. After working his way around Red Bull Honda’s Andrew Short for second place, Stewart went down and had to work his way back through a talented field of the world’s best riders. Desalle had a solid ride and would finish in second. Late in the race, Stewart had passed the Belgian but crashed a second time and had to settle for third. Once again, somebody forgot to tell Ryan Dungey he was not supposed to win. So, he did.

The stage was set for Moto Two and neither Desalle nor Dungey would disappoint the Unadilla fans. At the start, It was yellow bikes out front and Stewart’s Yamaha was buried somewhere in the middle of the 40-rider field. A few laps later, Bubba would pull off the track and call it a day. Meanwhile, Desalle and Dungey put on a show. Desalle was in the lead and had been running the fastest lap times of the day, when Dungey picked up the pace and passed his Suzuki teammate. At the checkered flag, it would be Dungey’s win with Desalle in second. Geico Powersports’s Brett Metcalfe and Red Bull’s Kevin Windham would work past Andrew Short for third and fourth place finishes. Short would cross the line in fifth.

The win was Dungey’s eighth in a row and allowed “the rookie” to extend his point’s lead in the Lucas Oil AMA 450cc MX national championship series to triple digits. The teams will have two weeks off and a little time to regroup before heading to Massachusetts for Round 10 of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship at the famed Southwick Moto-X 338 track. Don’t forget to follow your favorite rider on the E3 Spark Plugs Racing blog and, for peak performance from your bike, always ask for E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs. Our patented DiamondFire technology is designed to deliver Energy, Efficiency and Ecology for all of your engines.

2010 LUCAS OIL AMA MOTOCROSS PRO CHAMPIONSHIP

AMA 450cc MX – Washougal MX National (Round 9)
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki     (1-1)
2)    Clement Desalle, Belgium, Suzuki        (2-2)
3)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda         (5,3)
4)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda        (4-5)
5)    Kyle Regal, Kemp, TX, Honda            (8-6)
6)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda        (7-9)
7)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha        (9-8))
8)    Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, IA        (11-7)
9)    Josh Grant, Riverside, CA, Yamaha        (6-14)
10)    Tommy Hahn, Decatur, TX, Suzuki        (10-11)

AMA 450CC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki      418
2)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda        -111
3)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda        -125
4)    Josh Grant, Riverside, CA, Yamaha        -158
5)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda        -169
6)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM        -183
7)    Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki        -214
8)    Kyle Regal, Kemp, TX, Honda            -233
9)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha        -235
10)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha        -237

Monster Energy racer Chad Reed has retired the Number One plate for the remainder of the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Championship. The defending outdoor national champion returned home to recover from the Epstein-Barr virus. Photo courtesy of www.chadreedracing.com.

Big news came this week from the Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship series as the defending outdoor national champion Chad Reed dropped out of the chase for the 2010 title.  After being diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus, Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Reed has decided to recover at home with his wife and their new son Tate. Reed had struggled throughout the season with chronic fatigue syndrome before falling out of the series’ top 5 in national 450cc points last week at the Millville MX.

Hondas grabbed an early lead in Moto One as Red Bull’s Andrew Short led the way over Kevin Windham and Ben Townley. Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider Ryan Dungey was charging from a lack luster start when Townley crashed hard in the whoops injuring his right shoulder and ending the day for the fast Kiwi. Dungey would manage his way through the field sailing past Windham for second place before tracking down Short for the lead. Windham would fade to ninth late in the race as Honda riders Short and Aussie Brett Metcalfe would claim second and third in Moto One.

Red Bull Honda rider Andrew Short would grab his second holeshot of the day and his eighth holeshot of the season in Moto Two of the Washougal MX National. Windham would position his 450cc Red Bike into second place as Dungey chased the pair of Honda riders up Horsepower Hill.  As the race approached the halfway point in Moto Two, Dungey stepped up the pace to pass Windham and Short for the lead. Rockstar Energy’s Tommy Hahn put on an impressive ride to third and Yamaha rider Justin Brayton rebounded from a disappointing first moto to finish fourth.

The victory at Washougal was Dungey’s seventh of the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA season giving the factory Suzuki ace a commanding 95 point lead over Short for the championship. Townley’s misfortunes would allow Metcalfe and Joe Gibbs Racing Yamaha rider Josh Grant to move past the injured Honda rider to take over third and fourth place in the points championship. Popular privateer Nicholas Wey would have his best result of the season finishing fifth overall behind a very fast Tommy Hahn. Suzuki’s Hahn turned in the fastest times of the day and seems to be recovering nicely from his own nagging injuries.

The 450cc pro riders will have two weeks off before teams head all the way across the country for Round 9 of the AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro Championship in New Berlin, New York. Don’t forget to follow the action on the E3 Spark Plugs Racing blog from the famed Unadilla MX track as the world’s top riders battle all the way to the 2010 AMA Championship. If you want peak performance and great fuel mileage from your car, truck or SUV, ask for E3 Car Spark Plugs at your favorite auto parts store. Our patented DiamondFire technology is designed to deliver Energy, Efficiency and Ecology for your ride.

2010 Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Pro Championship

AMA 450cc MX – Washougal MX National Round 8
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki     (1-1)
2)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda        (2-2)
3)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda         (3,5)
4)    Tommy Hahn, Decatur, TX, Suzuki        (7,3)
5)    Nic Wey, Dewitt, MI, Kawasaki        (10,6)
6)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha        (5,11)
7)    Kevin Windham, Centerville, MS, Honda    (9,9)
8)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha        (8,10)
9)    Dan Reardon, Australia, Yamaha        (12,7)
10)    Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, TX, Yamaha    (11,8)

AMA 450CC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki    368
2)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda        -95
3)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda        -111
4)    Josh Grant, Riverside, CA, Yamaha        -130
5)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda        -145
6)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM        -149
7)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha        -202
8)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha        -210
9)    Tommy Hahn, Decatur, TX, Suzuki        -218
10)    Nic Wey, Dewitt, MI, Kawasaki        -229

MX legend Kevin Windham returned to action at Millville as a factory Red Bull Honda rider replacing the injured Davi Milsaps. Photo courtesy of Geico Powersports Honda.

In Moto One of the 450cc class, MX legend Kevin Windham pulled an early lead riding the Red Bull Honda as a replacement rider for the injured Davi Milsaps. Windham had an excellent return to the factory Honda camp with a solid fourth overall finish for the day. Once Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey got by Windham, he picked up the pace and disappeared from the rest of the talented 450cc field. Joe Gibbs Racing Yamaha rider Josh Grant would finish second ahead of Honda’s Andrew Short and Kiwi Ben Townley. Defending MX Champion Chad Reed crashed during Moto One and would sit out the second race with a nagging neck injury.

Troy Lee Design/Lucas Oil rider Townley blasted to lead in Moto Two ahead of Short, Dungey and Windham before dropping his Honda in the Millville sand. Dungey would take the lead and wasted no time in putting distance between his Rockstar Suzuki and Short’s Red Bull Honda. Once again privateer Texan Kyle Regal would capture the factory teams’ attention as he raced pass the Hondas of Kevin Windham and Andrew Short for a second place in the moto and a third overall finish for the day. A pair of third place finishes would net Short a second overall leaving him 89 points behind Dungey for the championship.

The “Ryan Dungey Show” will head west along with the rest of the AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro Championship teams for Round 8 in Washougal, Washington. If you’re looking for championship performance for your motorcycle, car, SUV or truck, E3 car spark plugs are guaranteed to deliver time after time. Follow the world’s top riders all the way to 2010 MX National Championship finals on the E3 Spark Plugs racing blog.

2010 Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Pro Championship

AMA 450cc MX – Spring Creek MX National (Round 7)
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki     (1-1)
2)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda        (3-2)
3)    Kyle Regal, Kemp, TX, Honda             (8,2)
4)    Kevin Windham, Centerville, MS, Honda    (5,4)
5)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda        (4,5)
6)    Josh Grant, Riverside, CA Yamaha         (2,10)
7)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha        (9,7)
8)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha        (7,9)
9)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda         (16,6)
10)    Nic Wey, Dewitt, MI, Kawasaki        (11,11)

AMA 450CC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki    318
2)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda        -89
3)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda        -95
4)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda        -97
5)    Josh Grant, Riverside, CA, Yamaha        -103
6)    Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki        -114
7)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM        -122
8)    Kyle Regal, Kemp, TX, Honda            -161
9)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha        -178
10)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha        -184

The 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship brings the world's best motocross riders and teams together to compete on the nation's toughest tracks like Red Bud MX in Buchanan, Michigan. Visit the AMA MX series sponsor at www.lucasoil.com.

The Red Bud track is most famous for a 130-foot step-up jump known as LaRocco’s Leap. The very long, fast, uphill jump requires riders to jump over the equivalent of a 5-story building. In Moto One, Red Bull Honda’s Andrew Short pulled his fifth holeshot of the season but gave way to a hard-charging Ben Townley. The Troy Lee/Lucas Oil rider Townley had missed the 2008 and 2009 AMA outdoor motocross seasons due to a nagging shoulder injury but has shown a lot of speed in 2010. With a few laps to go in the opening moto, Townley dropped his Lucas Oil Honda in a sandy rut letting Dungey, Chad Reed and Short slip by to claim the respective podium positions. Fellow Aussie Brett Metcalfe followed Townley home with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Josh Grant in sixth place.

Déjà vu in moto two as Red Bull’s Short took an early lead followed by Dungey, Townley and Reed. After following Short for a couple of laps, Dungey went underneath the Honda rider and took command of the race. Townley was next to get around Short followed closely by Reed. In his best performance of the 2010 AMA Lucas Oil Pro MX season, Reed made a late race charge to second. Townley would settle for third giving the Kiwi third overall for the day. Short would relinquish fourth in Moto Two to the Geico Powersports Honda of Brett Metcalfe. Yamaha’s Josh Grant went (6-6) for sixth overall, followed by Honda’s Kyle Regal (7-7) in seventh overall and Yamaha rider Ryan Sipes (8-8) for eighth overall.

The AMA Pro MX teams have next weekend off before traveling to Millville, MN, for the Lucas Oil outdoor national motocross championship. Check back on 7/19 for E3 Spark Plugs Blog coverage of Round 7 from Spring Creek MX. Until then, if you want high performance from your truck spark plugs, install a set of E3 spark plugs with our patented DiamondFire technology. We deliver Energy, Efficiency and Ecology from your car, truck or motorcycle engine.

2010 Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Pro Championship

AMA 450cc MX – Red Bud MX National (Round 6)
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki     (1-1)
2)    Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki         (2-2)
3)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda        (4-3)
4)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda        (3-5)
5)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda         (5-4)
6)    Josh Grant, Riverside, CA Yamaha         (6-6)
7)    Kyle Regal, Kemp, TX, Honda             (7-7)
8)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha        (8-8
9)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM         (10-9)
10)    Nic Wey, Dewitt, MI, Kawasaki        (9-12)

AMA 450CC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki    268
2)    Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki        -64
3)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda        -67
4)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda        -79
5)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda        -79
6)    Josh Grant, Riverside, CA, Yamaha        -86
7)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM        -91
8)    Kyle Regal, Kemp, TX, Honda            -146
9)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha        -154
10)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha        -160

New Zealand motocross racer Ben Townley finished second overall at Lakewood's Thunder Valley National. Townley has shown tons of speed this season aboard his Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda. Photo courtesy of www.troyleedesigns.com.

Grant would take the win with Dungey crossing the finish line second followed by Suzuki’s Tommy Hahn who had disposed of a hard charging Brett Metcalfe to claim third. Defending outdoor AMA Lucas Oil Pro MX national champion Chad Reed could only muster a 10th place in Moto One. The KTM 350cc rocket ship  of Mike Alessi didn’t appear to like the air at the mile-high Thunder Valley track as Alessi struggled to a 12th overall in Moto One.

The second moto looked to be a carbon copy of the first with Andrew Short controlling the early laps of the race. Unfortunately, Yamaha’s Josh Grant would crash in turn one after the start spoiling his chance for an overall MX victory. This moto, Suzuki’s Dungey would have to pick up his pace with a very fast Ben Townley aboard the TLD/Lucas Oil Honda breathing down his neck. Both riders passed Short to finish “one, two, three” respectively. Brett Metcalfe brought his Geico Powersports Honda home in fourth ahead of Jagermeister KTM rider Mike Alessi.

This was Dungey’s fourth win in a row and propelled the Rockstar rider to a 51 point lead in the championship. Australia’s Brett Metcalfe moved ahead of fellow compatriot Chad Reed for second place in the series standings after finishing third on the day at Lakewood. Alessi, Short, Grant and Townley are now separated by a single point each as they fight for fourth thru seventh. Next weekend, teams travel to Buchanan, Michigan, for the annual AMA outdoor motocross event at Red Bud MX.

Be sure to check E3 Spark Plugs’ blog for a wrap-up of all the racing action.

Red Bull Honda rider Andrew Short wins the opening moto of Round Four at the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship and posted a 1-5 on the day for second overall at the Budds Creek National.

After a disappointing DNF last week at High Point National, defending outdoor national champion Chad Reed rebounded with a 4-2 finish at the Budds Creek National in Maryland for a third place overall. Red Bull Honda’s Andrew Short had the crowds cheering during the opening moto but Dungey’s dominating ride in Moto Two left Short and Reed to battle it out for second and third overall, respectively. Reed now trails Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey by 36 points for the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship crown after round four.

The very popular Budds Creek MX Park is always a fan favorite as the event’s promoters have left the very hilly, very fast track layout much the same over the years. This year’s MX National was no exception with fan-thrilling rides put in by Jagermeister KTM’s Mike Alessi aboard the controversial 350cc screamer and Lucas Oil’s Ben Townley aboard his Troy Lee Designs Honda. Toyota Yamaha pro Josh Grant was hooked up all day and posted consistent 5-4 finishes for fourth place overall. Alessi, Short and Grant move to fourth, fifth and sixth in the championship points series.

The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship is the most prestigious motocross series in the world and this year’s first four rounds have shown the international flavor of riders in both the 450cc MX and 250cc MX classes. Now, teams head west to Denver (Lakewood, Colorado) for Round 5 at Thunder Valley Motocross Park on June 26. Bookmark the E3 Spark Plugs Blog and check back next weekend for the latest MX results. Don’t forget to try a E3 motorcycle spark plug with our patented DiamondFire technology in your favorite ride.

2010 Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Pro Championship

AMA 450cc MX – Budds Creek National (Round 4)

1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki     (3-1)
2)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda        (1-5)
3)    Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki         (4-2)
4)    Josh Grant, Riverside, CA Yamaha         (5-4)
5)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM         (2-12)
6)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda         (6-6)
7)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha        (7-7)
8)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda        (14-3)
9)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha         (8-8)
10)    Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, IA        (10-10)

AMA 450CC Motocross Championship Standings

1)    Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, MN, Suzuki    171
2)    Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki        -36
3)    Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda        -40
4)    Mike Alessi, Victorville, CA, KTM        -42
5)    Andrew Short, Smithville, TX, Honda        -51
6)    Josh Grant, Riverside, CA, Yamaha        -55
7)    Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda        -57
8)    Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, KY, Yamaha        -90
9)    Tommy Hahn, Decatur, TX, Suzuki        -90
10)    Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, FL, Yamaha        -90