Dallas SX Practice Notes

Texas Stadium in Arlington, TX is home to the 13th round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series, and practice just wrapped up here. The track here in Texas has a few tricky sections, including a gnarly rhythm section followed by a big whoops section that has been claiming riders all day long. The track also has a sand first corner that could play a part in the nights racing. Here’s a quick run down of practice, who had the speed, and who needs to find more for the night show.

Photos: AWhite
Words: KAnderson

Dean Wilson came out with the fastest qualifying time here in Arlington with a 50.80, even though there are rumors that Dean has a stomach bug that has been plauging him all week. The lap times don’t show it however, and Dean looked strong here all day. Will his sickness play a part tonight in the night show?

Photo: AWhite

Ryan Sipes came out with the 2nd fastest qualifying time here in Arlington, turning a 50.93. Ryan looked strong in both timed practices, but had a scary moment in the 2nd one, where he jumped into the already down Matt Lemonie. Although both riders were okay, Sipes looked a bit shaken and took it easy the rest of the practice. I expect the #25 to be up front tonight.

Photo: AWhite

With a 51.66, Blake Baggett came out with 3rd overall from today’s qualifying practice. Baggett needs a good night to get him further up in the championship hunt, can he get a win tonight on this treacherous track?

Photo: AWhite

Malcom Stewart had the 4th fastest qualifying time, with a 51.79, and looked a lot smoother than we have seen in the past. Can Malcom finally get over those rookie mistakes and grab a win tonight in Arlington? To do so, he is going to need to keep it on two wheels, and use that speed to stay at the front of the pack.

Photo: AWhite

Justin Barcia qualified 5th today, a spot that the Geico Honda rider is not used to being in. Despite his qualifying position, Justin looked fast and smooth all day, and continues to impress everyone with his nasty whips. Barcia will for sure be a player and up front all night tonight.

Photo: AWhite

Despite his mid-week shenanigans, James Stewart remains focused on winning races, and it showed today during practice, as Stewart went out and laid down the fastest lap all day, with a 48.73, which is incredible on this tricky and slippery track. If James can get a good start and keep it on two wheels tonight, then he will be the man to beat. Too bad he didn’t bring his cop lights to get through lapped traffic…

Photo: AWhite

Chad Reed turned the 2nd fastest time today, with a 49.01, not too far behind the leader James Stewart. With only 3/10′s of a second separating them, Reed just needs to get a better start than Stewart and ride fast and consistent laps, but nothing ever goes as planned! Can the #22 snag a win and extend his points lead?

Photo: AWhite

After a big crash in the 1st set of whoops in the 2nd timed practice, Trey Canard still came out with the 3rd fastest qualifying time, turning a 49.24. Trey looked good all day, and you can expect the #41 Honda to be up front tonight. Last time SX was in Texas Trey grabbed the win, can he do so again tonight in the Lone Star State?

Photo: AWhite

Ryan Dungey had a quiet today here in Arlington, qualifying 4th with a lap time of 49.26, just .02 seconds slower than 3rd place Trey Canard. Sitting 3rd in points, Ryan needs to grab another win here in Texas to help catch Ryan Villopoto, who sits 2nd overall in points. Can the #1 of Dungey get another win tonight? Time will tell…

Photo: AWhite

Qualifying 5th today was the #14 of Kevin Windham, who is always a crowd favorite with his amazing stoppies and transfer lines. Kevin turned a lap time of 49.68, and is always a threat for the win. Texas is basically like a home race for Windham, and it would be awesome to see him grab the win. He almost did it in Houston before he lost it in the rhythm, can he do it here tonight in Arlington?

Photo: AWhite

Sitting 2nd in the championship is the #2 of Ryan Villopoto, but today Ryan qualified back in 6th, not where the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider expected to find himself. Can he come back strong in the night show and show that the practice times don’t mean anything?

Photo: AWhite

Check out this close call by Stewart.

Photo: AWhite

Texas rider Clayton Miller took a header today in the tricky Dallas whoops.

Photo: AWhite

Trey Canard also had trouble in the same section of whoops, going down hard and landing off the track on the concrete. Trey would remount to finish up the practice.

Photo: AWhite