Race Report: New Orleans SX 2012

SUPERCROSS HEAT 1
The holeshot for the start of the first Supercross class heat race went to Yoshimura Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe followed Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, Honda-mounted Andrew Short and the rest of the field. Only a few laps into the race, though, Weimer made a move around Metcalfe to take over the lead, and shortly after that, Short did likewise to move into second, pushing Metcalfe back to third. From there, Weimer opened up a comfortable lead while Short settled into second and Metcalfe third. Things calmed down and the top running order remained the same until the checkered flag came out. Weimer took the win with Short second and Metcalfe third.

Results:
1. Jake Weimer (Kaw)
2. Andrew Short (Hon)
3. Brett Metcalfe (Suz)
4. Gavin Faith (Hon)
5. Weston Peick (Yam)
6. Bobby Kiniry (Yam)
7. Kyle Regal (Kaw)
8. Justin Sipes (Kaw)
9. Nico Izzi (Yam)

SUPERCROSS HEAT TWO
The second Supercross class heat race was over as soon as Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto took over the lead from holeshot artist BTO Sports/Suzuki rider Jimmy Alberston on the first lap. After a fighting off pressure from JGR/Toyota/Yamaha’s Davi Millsaps in the opening laps—Millsaps went down and withdrew from the race—RV opened up a big lead and never looked back. Behind him, MotoConcept’s Mike Alessi held down second while Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Broc Tickle controlled third and Muscle Milk Honda’s Justin Brayton was in fourth. Just past the halfway point, Brayton made a pass around Tickle to take over third and did his best to close up on Alessi. He ran out of time, though, and when the checkered flag flew, Villopoto took the win ahead of Alessi, Brayton, Tickle, and JWR/DNA Energy/Kawasaki’s Josh Grant.

Results:
1. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw)
2. Mike Alessi (Suz)
3. Justin Brayton (Hon)
4. Broc Tickle (Kaw)
5. Josh Grant (Kaw)
6. Jimmy Albertson (Suz)
7. Nick Wey (Kaw)
8. Kyle Chisholm (Kaw)
9. Cody Gilmore (Kaw)

LCQ:
The holeshot of this race went to Muscle Milk Honda’s Wil Hahn, however, he was quickly passed by JGR/Toyota/Yamaha’s Davi Millsaps and one lap later, Hart & Huntington/Dodge/Kawasaki’s Ivan Tedesco also made his way around Hahn to secure second. After that, things remained calm until the final lap when the top three closed up and began to battle. With only a straight remaining, Hahn passed Tedesco to take the final transfer position. Tedesco then went down in the final turn before the finishline. Millsaps meanwhile took home the win.

Results:
1. Davi Millsaps (Yam)
2. Wil Hahn (Hon)

SUPERCROSS MAIN EVENT
This race was all about Villopoto as he jumped off the gate and rounded the first turn in the lead. Behind him, his teammate Weimer held down second, but before the first lap was completed, he went down and dropped all the way back to last. Grant then took over second with Alessi dropping into third, Metcalfe fourth, and Short fifth.
As the laps clicked by, Villopoto began to open up a commanding lead over Grant while Alessi held down third. Behind them, Brayton was on the move and by the sixth lap had managed to work his way up to fourth past Metcalfe and Short. After that, the running order up front remained the same until with five laps remaining Alessi came together with a lapper and went down, handing third over to Brayton. From there, Villopoto continued to open up his lead, which was 10 second when the checkered flag flew. Grant finished second with Brayton completing the podium.

VIEW: THUMBS ENLARGE

PREVIOUS

NEXT

(image 30 of 31)

RELATED ARTICLES

Race Report: Spring Creek 2012

Race Report: Budds Creek 2012

Race Report: Unadilla 2012

Race Report: Steel City 2012