Lites Main Event
Austin Stroupe grabbed a convincing holeshot and instantly had a commanding lead on second place on Geico Powersports/ Honda’s Daniel Blair, the replacement rider for in the injured Brett Metcalfe. Branden Jesseman, Dennis Jonon, and Chad Ward rounded out the top five in the opening laps. Meanwhile further back in the pack, Christophe Pourcel had a terrible start and had his work cut out for him coming back from 12th place. Quickly moving up the rankings was Geico Powersports/ Honda rider Blake Wharton who found himself battling with his teammate Blair. Jesseman was also having his best ride of the year running in second place, obviously using his confidence from his heat race win.
With Wharton getting around Blair, Durham began to move his way towards the number 125 machine. Further back, Pourcel continued to chip away at positions and by the half way mark was in sixth position, running consistent lap times that were fast enough to get onto the podium. A few laps later he was able to make a quick pass through the dragon back section over Daniel Blair for fifth place. Muscle Milk/ MDK/ KTM’s Wil Hahn was also quietly having one of his better rides of the season running a strong sixth place and would finish fifth at the finishq
On the last lap, Austin Stroupe had a five second lead over Branden Jesseman and at the finish Blake Wharton managed to grab his first ever podium. Pourcel, after his terrible start, managed to get around Durham for fourth place at the finish, losing seven points to his teammate, series rival, and race winner, Austin Stroupe.
1. Austin Stroupe
2. Branden Jesseman
3. Blake Wharton
4. Christophe Pourcel
5. Wil Hahn
6. Darryn Durham
7. Daniel Blair
8. Broc Tickle
9. Matt Goerke
10. Steven Clarke
11. Levi Kilbarger
12. Dennis Jonon
13. Tyler Wharton
14. Jacob Saylor
15. Teddy Parks
16. Chad Ward
17. Matt Lemoine
18. Phil Nicoletti
19. Bryan Johnson
20. Jason Thomas
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 115
2. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 84
3. Nico Izzi, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 82
4. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki, 73
5. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, KTM, 68
6. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 66
7. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM, 57
8. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Yamaha, 51
9. Steven Clarke, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki, 51
10. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki, 50
Page 1: Lites Qualifying Page 2: SX Qualifying Page 3: Lites Main Page 4: SX Main
TAGS: Austin Stroupe, Blake Wharton, branden jesseman, broc hepler, chad reed, james stewart, New Orleans, Race Report, supercross, Superdome
