Honda Racing's Josh Grant had a successful return to the AMA Pro MX Championship this weekend with a tenth overall at Budds Creek, MD. Photo courtesy of www.joshgrant.com.
E3 motorcycle spark plug fans rolled out in record numbers for Round 4 of the 2011 National Championship held this weekend at Budds Creek MX track just south of Washington D.C. in Mechanicsville, MD. It is never a surprise to see the #800 plate of Mike Alessi’s factory KTM leading the 450cc class at any Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX race. This weekend’s event was no different as Alessi led the opening laps of Moto 1 followed closely by the red Honda of series points-leader Chad Reed.
On lap three of the 30 minute-plus event, Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto would slip past both Reed and Alessi to take over the top spot. Defending national champion Ryan Dungey picked up his mid-moto pace and quickly moved past Reed into second place. Villopoto would make an uncharacteristic mistake late in the race but rebounded in time to hold off a hard-charging Dungey who led Reed, Kevin Windham and Alessi to the finish line. American Honda Racing’s Josh Grant returned from early season supercross injuries to claim to a well-deserved eighth in Moto 1.
Surprise . . . surprise! Mike Alessi grabs the holeshot in Moto 2 but this time holds off Chad Reed until lap five when the Honda ace and Rockstar Makita’s Ryan Dungey both got by the big bore KTM. Villopoto would also pass Alessi on lap ten and held on for a 1-3 finish matching the championship points earned by overall race winner Chad Reed with his 3-1 finish. Dungey’s pair of 2-2 finishes were good enough for third overall and garnered the Suzuki rider one point less than Reed and Villopoto. Windham finished his duties as a Honda replacement rider with solid 4-4 finishes and fourth overall.
The action is certain to heat up next weekend as the Lucas Oil AMA MX teams head west to Colorado for Round 5 of 2011 outdoor championship at Thunder Valley MX in Lakewood. Reed holds a slim 15-point lead over Villopoto with Dungey just 28 points to the rears. If you’re looking to make up ground on the road or in the dirt, visit our website and watch the Dyno Tech Shootout for E3 Spark Plugs. Find out for yourself why E3 motorcycle spark plugs are “Born to Burn”.
