Round 11 – AMA/FIM Supercross Series 2009 – New Orleans – March 14

James Stewart back on track with 450 Supercross Main Event win in LA! Austin Stroupe scores 15 lap East Supercross Main Event win!

The SuperDome

450 Supercross Class: The Big Boys. In their first heat of the night, eight laps, it was current Supercross Series leader & defending AMA/FIM Supercross Champion Chad Reed winning! Second went to Kevin Windham, with third Justin Brayton riding for KTM. In heat race number two for the 450 Supercross Class, it was Nate Ramsey making a return to racing after a long layoff – riding for Team Joe Gibbs Racing Yamaha. (He didn’t qualify in his heat, but came back to win the LCQ – Last Chance Qualifier!) But the win in heat number two – Mr. James Stewart! He was followed by Andrew Short in second, almost 15 seconds behind.

In the 20 lap main event, James Stewart returned to his early season winning ways, with Chad Reed finishing about six seconds behind James. Third place went to Broc Hepler, his best ride of the season. With this win tonight. James has eight main event wins on the season so far. After the first lap, James rode smartly and strongly to the win, with no strong challenges against him.

Chad Reed still leads the point standings over James Stewart, by eight points, 246 to 238, with six rounds remaining in the 2009 series.

Chad said James was riding really, really well, and he was just trying to ride his own race and lines. He also said he did struggle with the lappers a bit. James said he got a great start just like he did in his heat race and his Yamaha is working awesome – pulled another holeshot. James also said he was very stoked for Broc (Hepler) because Broc’s been training at James’ house the past two weeks.

250 East Lites Supercross Class: Blake Wharton won his first-ever heat race tonight in qualifying heat #1, which runs six laps. Nico Izzi finished back in the pack, and will have to try to get into the main event thru the LCQ (Ultimately, Nico didn’t qualify for tonight’s main event via the LCQ.) In the second qualifying heat, it was Branden Jesseman, the 2003 AMA 125 East Supercross Champion winning the heat. Current East Series points leader Chris Pourcel finished sixth.

In the 15 lap main event, Austin Stroupe wins, with Branden Jesseman scoring second. Third went to Blake Wharton, and series points leader Christophe Pourcel finished fourth. Stroupe made it look easy, getting the holeshot and running strong up front. His team-mate Pourcel started way back in the pack, but eventually moved all the way up to fourth. Both Nico Izzi and Martin Davalos did not qualify for the main event tonight. This was Blake Wharton’s best ride of the season too. The points now have Pourcel leading with 115 over Stroupe with 84.

Stroupe said the track was very technical and he did what he wanted to do – get the holeshot and put a few (good) laps in.

Notes: Tim Ferry underwent surgery on his right heel this morning. “Red Dog” fractured his heel at the Daytona Supercross last Saturday, and will miss the remainder of the 2009 Supercross season. Michael Byrne did not race today either – he’s got an injured shoulder. Second place at Daytona Supercross last week, but not racing this weekend – Jason Lawrence. He hurt his foot/ankle during the week practicing. Lap times for the faster riders averaged around 53 seconds per lap.

Roll your mouse over the thumbnails below. Then click to see the larger image. The images below are: James Stewart 7 leading 20 lap Supercross main event, Chad Reed #1 in the main event, Branden Jesseman, Christophe Pourcel, James Stewart winning the New Orleans Supercross, Austin Stroupe 981 leading the 15 lap East Division main event, Martin Davalos on the 450 KTM, Broc Hepler smiling after third place in the 450 Supercross Main, the 450 Supercross Podium, The 250 East Podium, Blake Wharton 61 on his Honda, Christophe Pourcel 377, Martin Davalos 577, Broc Hepler 60, Nico Izzi 20, James Stewart 7, Kevin Windham 14, Chad Reed 1, Ryan Villopoto 2, Austin Stroupe 981.