AMA Supercross Lites East Title Will Be Decided In Detroit
Pickerington, Ohio
Apr 17, 2007
The Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Championship is heading for the home stretch as the series rolls into Detroit’s Ford Field on Saturday, April 21. While Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart is in firm control of the Supercross class with a 35-point lead over L&M Yamaha’s Chad Reed with three rounds to go, the AMA Supercross Lites East Series is coming down to the wire and will be decided in Detroit. Three riders are still in contention for the title.
Boost Mobile Yamaha’s Ryan Morais leads the Lites East standings. Morais has been the picture of consistency throughout the year. The 24-year old from Temecula, Calif., has finished fifth or better in every round leading up to Detroit. Morais has twice scored runner up finishes, but has yet to take victory in the series. The last time a rider won the East title without winning a race was in 1997 when Tim Ferry earned the title with steadiness throughout the season.
In Detroit, Morais may have to find the extra gear he needs to win a race since chief rival Ben Townley, of New Zealand, is only three points down and can win the championship with a victory.
“My plan was to try and get in the top five in every race and to try and make the podium as much as I could, ” Morais said. “To be honest, I never expected to be in the hunt for the championship. I would love to win a race. Hopefully, I’ll be able to win in Detroit, wrap both things up and win the championship. ”
Townley, who won the most recent round in Dallas, also feels like being in the title hunt is a bonus.
“After Atlanta I never dreamed I’d be in a position to have a chance to win the championship, ” Townley said, referring to the opening round of the series in Atlanta where he dropped out when his bike suffered mechanical problems. “Winning in Dallas meant so much. If I can ride in Detroit like I did in Dallas I can win the championship, if not I know I gave it my best shot. ”
Townley won the MX2 Motocross World Championship in 2004. This is his first full year in AMA competition.
Townley’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit teammate Darcy Lange is not out of the picture. Lange scored a runner-up finish in Dallas to keep his title hopes alive.
“Anything can happen, ” Lange said talking about the final round. “I’ve had some bad luck this season, but after a couple weeks off I’ll be coming out swinging in Detroit. ”
