Race Report: Freestone National MX 2012

The second round of the Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championship series wrapped up at Freestone County MX Park in Wortham, Texas, and much like the opening round of the series, excellent racing was highlighted in both classes.
After winning both Hangtown motos in convincing fashion, Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart came into the race just looking to learn more aboard his new yellow bike. As it turned out, the Florida native managed to get out to the early lead in both motos, hold of his closest rival Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, and take another 1-1 victory. The win padded his points lead to 14 over Dungey. It was also his second win in as many tries.
In the 250 class, Geico Honda’s Eli Tomac took wins in both motos after battling his way to the front and running away from the field. For Tomac, the victory was especially important, as it helped push him to third in points behind points leader Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett and Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen.
For the women, their moto schedule was changed from the first round at Hangtown, leaving them to run their final moto as the last race of the day. Still, the same frontrunners rose to the top, as Factory Honda’s Ashley Fiolek took the overall victory ahead of Rockstar Suzuki’s Jessica Patterson. Fiolek now sits only three points behind Patterson for first.

450 Moto One:

The start of the first 450 moto of the day saw JGR/Toyota/Yamaha’s Kyle Regal jump out to take the holeshot with Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart and Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey close behind. Before the end of the first lap, though, Stewart had worked his way into the lead with Dungey doing likewise in second. Regal meanwhile fell back as both Star Racing/VMS/Rockstar/Yamaha’s Nico Izzi and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer took over third and fourth respectively.
As the laps continued, Stewart and Dungey quickly broke away from the field as Dungey remained locked on Stewart’s rear fender. The two riders established a sizeable lead in only a few laps. Behind them, Izzi and Weimer began to battle for third, as they also began to put time on the rest of the field behind them. On lap TK, Weimer managed to make a pass on Izzi to take over third and from there, the top-three remained the same until the checkered flag flew. In the closing laps, Stewart built up a small lead over Dungey, allowing the Suzuki rider to take the win. Dungey finished a close second with Weimer third and Izzi fourth.

RESULTS:
1. James Stewart (Suz)
2. Ryan Dungey (KTM)
3. Jake Weimer (Kaw)
4. Nico Izzi (Yam)
5. Mike Alessi (Suz)
6. Josh Grant (Kaw)
7. Broc Tickle (Kaw)
8. Ryan Sipes (Yam)
9. Tommy Hahn (Hon)
10. Andrew Short (Hon)
11. Matt Lemoine (Kaw)
12. Michael Byrne (Suz)
13. Brett Metcalfe (Suz)
14. Justin Brayton (Hon)
15. Jimmy Albertson (Suz)
16. Kevin Rookstool (Hon)
17. Bobby Kiniry (Yam)
18. Les Smith (KTM)
19. Cole Thompson (Hon)
20. Austin Howell (Suz)

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450 Moto Two:

The start of this moto was much the same as the first; Stewart jumped out to the early lead and took control followed closely by Dungey, MotoConcepts Mike Alessi, Izzi, Chaparral Honda’s Andrew Short, and Muscle Milk Honda’s Tommy Hahn.
For nearly the entire race, Stewart and Dungey played a game of cat and mouse, as the two riders pulled away from Alessi in third and stuck to each other as they navigated the rough Freestone course. Behind them, Alessi opened up a comfortable cushion in third ahead of Izzi in fourth. Then on the eighth lap, Izzi went down allowing Short to take over fourth and Grant fifth. The crash dropped Izzi back to an eventual 25th in the moto.
Up front, Dungey did all he could to make a pass stick on Stewart, but it was to no avail. With only a few laps remaining, Stewart opened up a two-second lead and was untouchable after that. Stewart went on to take the win ahead of Dungey, Alessi, Grant, and Short.

RESULTS:
1. James Stewart (Suz)
2. Ryan Dungey (KTM)
3. Mike Alessi (Suz)
4. Josh Grant (Kaw)
5. Andrew Short (Hon)
6. Jake Weimer (Kaw)
7. Tommy Hahn (Hon)
8. Kyle Regal (Yam)
9. Derek Anderson (Kaw)
10. Brett Metcalfe (Suz)
11. Bobby Kiniry (Yam)
12. Kyle Chisholm (Kaw)
13. Cole Thompson (Hon)
14. Justin Brayton (Hon)
15. Michael Byrne (Suz)
16. Preston Mull (Hon)
17. Ryan Sipes (Yam)
18. Justin Sipes (Kaw)
19. Kevin Rookstool (Hon)
20. Ben LaMay (Yam)

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