C'mon Ryan

You can do this.

This is just a very cool shot of Dungey doing it in practice today at Hangtown, from a great gallery on Allisports. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki star (heh) qualified second fastest.

Glen Helen: Women at Work - Factory Fiolek

The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship features a women's class, and Red Bull Honda factory team member and current women's National Champion Ashley Fiolek dominated the day by grabbing huge holeshots and running away with both wins. Multi-time Champion Jessica Patterson took second and Sherri Cruse finished third in some pretty exciting racing action.

While watching them race and seeing how truly fast these women are on the challenging world-class motocross course at Glen Helen, I couldn't help but think about how much butt they kick back at their local tracks. These women contesting the Lucas Oil championship can flat ride, son.

Fearless start photo by GuyB at Vital MX.

Glen Helen: Men on a Mission, Exhibit B - 2 vs 22

It may not have seemed like it at Glen Helen, but I believe this is the battle for the 450 cc crown right here, 2 versus 22. After playing his cards close to the vest during the entire supercross season, and with only two or three weeks before the start of the outdoor series, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Chad Reed (22) announced he would participate in the Nationals. I wonder if he would have made the same decision if James Stewart were racing the series?

In any case, Reed came out swinging on Saturday morning, setting the pace in practice with the fastest laps of both sessions. But when it came to 30+2, RV proved to be the Man, running down everyone he needed to on the way to winning both motos decisively. Chad went 4-3, finishing behind only the popular Mike Alessi and the surprising Josh Grant, two guys who could (and often do) call the Glen Helen track "home."

Reed had gotten used to finishing second behind a stocky redhead, Ricky Carmichael. I'm pretty sure Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto (2), another redheaded racer, would like to keep Reed in that familiar runner-up position all year long. Reed clearly has the speed to run with Ryan, so this championship is going to be determined by sheer guts. It's gonna be awesome! Coolpic by GuyB at Vital MX.

Glen Helen: Men on a Mission, Exibit A - Ryan Dungey

Ryan Dungey just might be the only guy in the 250cc class able to keep the National Motocross championship from falling into foreign hands this year. Sure, Justin Barcia wowed the crowd with his energetic style, and Trey Canard ran hard all day, but it was the Rockstar Makita Suzuki-mounted Dungey that took the biggest step towards the title. Powerphoto by GuyB at VitalMX.

And now... Motocross

In it's natural setting, outdoors and freed from the confines of football stadiums, baseballparks and basketball arenas, this sport of racing lightweight, high-powered motorcycles really comes alive. Ryan Walters and David Bulmer of Vurbmoto submit the following evidence:

Congratulations to L&M Racing/San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for another Supercross Championship!

Two in a row. With different racers. Good job!

There are two 2-time supercross champions now

Who will break the tie in 2010?

Never mind that, what's going on in Reed's mind in this GuyB pic from Vital MX? "If I can get him to stall that Yamaha, he might not be able to get it re-started..." ...? I don't know, but according to Steve Matthes' race report at Racer X Online, Reed "sent a little message to James by forcing him off the track." What's up with that, Chad?

"I don't despise James Stewart, I just despise his fans"

The headline quote is not mine, but it paraphrases sentiments I've read posted at various motocross message boards over the years. Did Las Vegas rock for Stewart? I don't know; I wasn't there and I didn't see it or hear it and haven't read much about it yet (and that will soon change), but I'm looking at this shot and guessing that the reason the guys in the front row aren't cheering and clapping and giving James thumbs up and all that, is that they were actually hired to hold the railing in place.

Or maybe their arms are just too tired after all the cheering they did for the winner of the main event, Ryan Villopoto. In any case, the guy who would know, GuyB at Vital MX that is, says the fans were appreciative.

Stewart brings the Supercross crown back to America

The family that plays together stays together. James celebrates his championship with his parents, brother and fiance. GuyB at Vital MX took this shot and says the cool shirts were made by Stewart's sponsor, Answer racing.

The best podium of all: the 2009 AMA Supercross Champion

11 wins in 17 races. But those are just numbers; the 2009 Monster Energy AMA/FIM Supercross championship was a thrilling duel from the very first round. Here's the victor, James Stewart, Jr., claiming his second 450cc title by vanquishing a very fast foe, Chad Reed. The #1 plate has changed hands.

James took a moment to gather his thoughts reports GuyB at Vital MX.