Supercross champion Dungey wins to finish big rookie year
Ryan Dungey might need to pinch himself today. His first season in AMA Supercross has not been a dream.
The 20-year-old from Belle Plaines, Minn., won the series finale Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium before a capacity crowd of 39,506.
Dungey's sixth victory of the 17-race season came three weeks after he became only the second rookie to win the Supercross championship. He also became the youngest to do it.
"It's been an incredible season and a real joy," said Dungey, who rode a Suzuki.
Dungey dominated once the starting gate dropped. He won the holeshot and led two-time series champion Chad Reed by 1.3 seconds after one lap. He also posted the night's fastest lap.
"The track was really slippery but the bike was great," Dungey said.
Halfway through the 20-lap race, he led Reed's Kawasaki by more than four seconds and won by five seconds.
Ricky Carmichael, a five-time champion and one of Dungey's mentors, said he is not surprised with the young rider's success.
"He has an unbelievable work ethic and is a good, solid person," said Carmichael, who was working as an analyst for the televised broadcast on Speed.
Reed's runner-up finish prevented him from winning at least one title in each of his seven seasons.
"I felt good tonight," he said. "Hats off to Ryan. He's the champ and a deserving one."
Reed had to maneuver moguls over the past 10 days that were more stressful than any he's encountered on a racetrack.
The two-time Supercross season champion missed most of the season with a hand injury but reached the pinnacle of emotions April 30 when his wife, Ellie, gave birth to their first child, Tate.
But two days later, good friend and fellow Australian racer Andrew McFarlane, 32, died from injuries sustained in a motocross race in Melbourne, Australia.
Fan favorite Kevin Windham, 32, rode his Honda to a third-place finish putting a halt to his winning streak at two races.
Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.
