Washougal Race Report: Dungey and Reed Strike Again

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• July 25 2009
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Dungey and Reed Strike Again
Words: Michael Antonovich
Photos: swap

The Lucas Oil AMA National Series hopped over to the Washougal MX Park for round eight of the championship, and the Northwest battleground met them with layout changes, heat, and humidity. After last week’s sandy soil at Millville, the dark shadows and slick surface had riders changing their setups and riding styles. We saw a shakeup in points; break through performances, and not to mention history in the making. With live TV coverage of the 450 class, accessibility of the sport is getting easier and easier, but as always, the race report from Washougal is here in case you were mowing the lawn and forgot to set the TiVo.

Moto 1
The day got off to a bang with Geico Powersports/Factory Connection/Honda’s other rookie superstar Blake Wharton making his way around the left hand tree turn ahead of the pack. Rockstar/Makita/ Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey sat on Wharton’s wheel for numerous laps and made his way around the long-haired Honda pilot, but it took many attempts before the pass would stick. Dungey’s arch rival for 2009, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki import Christophe Pourcel, found himself buried farther back than he would have wanted, and as the opening lap was scored he was credited with 24th position. It wouldn’t deter the Frenchman, as he and teammate Jake Weimer picked their way past riders and both moved to the top 10. That’s not to say that Pourcel had it easy; Motoconcepts Honda rider Vince Friese tried to squeeze the point leader in a downhill, but Christophe hit the throttle and moved Friese out of the way. The action wasn’t limited to only a handful of riders, and throughout the pack passes were exchanged. Canidae/Motosport/Kawasaki’s Kyle Cunningham picked off many to achieve a career best second place just behind Dungey, and last week’s battle between Division Seven/Star Racing/Yamaha rider Darryn Durham and Geico Powersports/Factory Connection/Honda veteran Brett Metcalfe was relived, with Metcalfe getting the edge on the Pennsylvania rookie. Metty’s stablemate Justin Barcia found himself on the ground in the same section he ran Jake Weimer’s Kawasaki over in not once, but twice before he was able to regroup. Ryan Dungey wouldn’t escape the first moto without laying in the Washington state soil, but luckily he kept his Suzuki running and still finished with the win.

Moto 1 Results
1.    Ryan Dungey
2.    Kyle Cunningham
3.    Blake Wharton
4.    Brett Metcalfe
5.    Darryn Durham
6.    Tommy Searle
7.    Broc Tickle
8.    Christophe Pourcel
9.    Max Anstie
10.    Jake Weimer

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250 Moto 2
The second time around,  Pourcel found himself in control after getting the holeshot and used the open track ahead of him to its potential. Wharton seemed to know a secret in the woods, and he continued a strong day as he chased Pourcel before allowing Pourcel’s teammate  Weimer by for the runner up spot. One rider who wouldn’t continue his hot streak was Cunningham; the Kawasaki rider hit the ground hard and pulled in just two laps into the second moto, sans visor.  Dungey’s luck also ran low in race two, and he was forced to lift his bike off the ground and re-pass Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM chap Tommy Searle multiple times , and settle in behind Brett Metcalfe after a valiant ride back through traffic.\r\nThe moto win would go to Pourcel, but the overall was still claimed by Dungey. Leaving Washougal, Dungey and Pourcel sit in a tie for the series points lead. Wharton finished a career high with a second overall, and his steady first moto was the key to finishing ahead of Pourcel in the day’s results. The points battle is now tied as the summer break starts and the riders regroup before the East Coast swing and final rounds of the year.
Moto 2 Results
1.    Christophe Pourcel
2.    Jake Weimer
3.    Blake Wharton
4.    Brett Metcalfe
5.    Ryan Dungey
6.    Tommy Searle
7.    Justin Barcia
8.    Broc Tickle
9.    Max Anstie
10.    Darryn Durham

250 Overall
1.    Ryan Dungey 1-5
2.    Blake Wharton 3-3
3.    Christophe Pourcel 8-1
4.    Brett Metcalfe 4-4
5.    Jake Weimer 10-2
6.    Tommy Searle 6-6
7.    Broc Tickle 7-8
8.    Darryn Durham 5-10
9.    Max Anstie 9-9
10.    Kyle Cunningham 2-34
250 Point Standings
1.    Christophe Pourcel 337pts
2.    Ryan Dungey 337pts
3.    Brett Metcalfe 251pts
4.    Tommy Searle 243pts
5.    Jake Weimer 215pts
6.    Justin Barcia 210pts
7.    Broc Tickle 199pts
8.    Blake Wharton 198pts
9.    Tyla Rattray 175pts
10.    Trey Canard 139pts

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