Race Report: Hangtown National MX 2012

Words and Photos by Brendan Lutes

There were a lot of unanswered questions heading into the 2012 Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championship series: Would James Stewart adapt to his new Suzuki? Would Justin Barcia be able to dominate outdoors like he had in Supercross? Would Blake Baggett be able to find his blazing speed that propelled him to success during last year’s outdoor season? Would Ryan Dungey be able to win again outdoors? In spite of all those questions and more, once the checkered flag waved on the final motos of the day at the opening round in Prairie City, California, at the FMF Hangtown Classic presented by Coors Light, Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett stood atop the podium, leaving no one to question who the fastest riders were in Northern California this weekend.
After switching teams following the Supercross season, Stewart came into Hangtown with a lot to prove and a lot to learn about his new bike. But after it was all said and done, he successfully swept both motos in convincing fashion ahead of Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey. Making it even more impressive, though, was the fact that this was the first time Stewart has raced outdoors since 2008. The win gave him the red plate and an eight-point lead in the championship chase.
In the 250 Class, Baggett proved to be the strongest rider after coming from behind to win the first moto and dominating the second moto. The win also gave Baggett the red plate and solidified him as one of the top contenders in the 250 championship chase.

450 Moto One:

When the gate hit the dirt for the start of the first moto of the season, Chaparral Honda’s Andrew Short took the holeshot ahead of Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart, JGR/Toyota/Yamaha’s Davi Millsaps, and Stewart’s teammate Brett Metcalfe. All it took, though, were a few turns before Stewart had managed to work his way around Short and into the lead. After that, Stewart never relinquished the top position, as he quickly extended his lead and held it until the end.
Behind Stewart, though, was where the majority of racing took place, as Millsaps, Short, and Metcalfe battled for the runner-up position. After some close racing, Metcalfe took over second with Millsaps in third and Short fourth. On lap 13, however, Millsaps managed to make a pass on Metcalfe and take over the runner-up position. Behind the front-runners, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey had been feverously fighting his way back up from a bad start. By the 10th lap he had moved his way up to fifth and by the end of the race had made his way up to third, which is where he stayed when the checkered flag flew. In the end, Stewart took the win followed by Millsaps, Dungey, Metcalfe, and Short.

Results:
1. James Stewart (Suz)
2. Davi Millsaps (Yam)
3. Ryan Dungey (KTM)
4. Brett Metcalfe (Suz)
5. Andrew Short (Hon)
6. Broc Tickle (Kaw)
7. Mike Alessi (Suz)
8. Tommy Hahn (Hon)
9. Josh Grant (Kaw)
10. Jake Wiemer (Kaw)
11. Nico Izzi (Yam)
12. Bobby Kiniry (Yam)
13. Kyle Chisholm (Kaw)
14. Sean Collier (Hon)
15. Vince Friese (Yam)
16. Nick Wey (Kaw)
17. Jimmy Albertson (Suz)
18. Michael Byrne (Suz)
19. Matt Lemoine (Kaw)
20. Ben Lamay (Yam)

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450 Moto Two:
Unlike the first moto, Stewart didn’t have it as easy in the opening laps. MotoConcepts Mike Alessi took the holeshot followed by Dungey and Stewart. After only two laps, though, Stewart managed to work his way past both Dungey and Alessi and into the lead. With that, Stewart began to open up a small cushion over Dungey who had also passed Alessi for the runner-up position.
As the laps clicked away, Stewart continued to hold onto the lead with Dungey doing his best to keep the Suzuki rider in sight, Alessi was in third and Metcalfe fourth. From there, things remained the same up front, as Stewart rode away with his first outdoor victory since his perfect season in 2008. Dungey took second followed by Alessi in third and Metcalfe in fourth.

Results:
1. James Stewart (Suz)
2. Ryan Dungey (KTM)
3. Mike Alessi (Suz)
4. Andrew Short (Hon)
5. Brett Metcalfe (Suz)
6. Jake Weimer (Kaw)
7. Broc Tickle (Kaw)
8. Josh Grant (Kaw)
9. Kyle Chisholm (Kaw)
10. Nico Izzi (Yam)
11. Matt Lemoine (Kaw)
12. Jimmy Albertson (Suz)
13. Bobby Kiniry (Yam)
14. Davi Millsaps (Yam)
15. Ryan Sipes (Yam)
16. Justin Brayton (Hon)
17. Kyle Regal (Yam)
18. Vince Friese (Hon)
19. Derek Anderson (Kaw)
20. Kevin Rookstool (Hon)

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