Dungey had a strong showing at Oakland in the early afternoon, earning second fastest lap time of the combined practice sessions. He topped his impressive practice time with his first heat win of the season in the opening SX class heat race to lead from holeshot to checkered flag for the top gate pick in the main event.
While he failed to get away cleanly in the main and rounded the first corner in 12th position he quickly began to pick off riders even though the lead pack was pulling away. By the halfway point he was top five and in lap 12 he slipped by Andrew Short into fourth. Dungey’s speed and stamina were impressive throughout the twenty lap main but the time he spent through the pack had allowed the top three to pull out of reach.
He crossed the line in a strong fourth again underlining his consistency and continues to hold onto the coveted red plate as standings leader.
Ryan Dungey: “I’m bummed that I didn’t land on the podium tonight. But overall, it was still a great night. I earned my first heat race win of the season and I made some good passes in the main event to salvage some points. It was hard to make passes tonight so I am glad I was able to pass as many riders as I did. My team has been behind me 100% this season and I am glad we are still running up front in the points and I am looking forward to a podium finish at the next event.”
It was also a great night for Marvin Musquin who matched his best finish of the season with another second place. He was impressive during the qualifiers and heats but got a late jump at the gate of the main to be mid pack at the first corner. Eighth at the end of lap one, Marvin then claimed two more places by the half way mark before turning up the heat, moving into fifth and settling down in pursuit of the leaders.
With three laps to go he advanced to second and carried it to the checkered flag for another great finish. Musquin now moves up three positions in the overall point standings and is now in fourth, just three points off of the third place position.
Marvin Musquin: “I am so excited with my result tonight. When my mechanic said I was tenth on the pit board the first lap, I was worried I would not be able to make the passes I needed. But I rode as hard as I could and made some smart passes and worked my way up. This helps me a lot in the point standings and I am looking forward to more success next week.”
JDR/JStar KTM rider Matt Moss of Australia also had an excellent night to finish fifth in the highly competitive Lites Class. Next round: Anaheim, CA – February 4, 2012
SX Results
1, James Stewart, Yamaha
2, Chad Reed, Honda
3, Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki
4, Ryan Dungey, KTM
5, Andrew Short, Honda
SX Standings after Round 4
!, Ryan Dungey KTM, 85 points (Dungey retains Red Plate)
2, Chad Reed, 85 points
3, Ryan Villipoto, 83
4, James Steward 73
5, Jake Weimer, 61
SX Lites Results
1, Eli Tomac, Honda
2, Marvin Musquin, France, KTM
3, Zach Osborne, Yamaha
4, Ryan Sipes, Kawasaki
5, Matt Moss, Australia, KTM
Lites Standings after Round 4
1, Eli Tomac, 88
2, Dean Wilson, 73
3, Zach Osborne, 67
4, Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 64
5, Tyla Rattray, 60
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