HOUSTON CALLING!
By TMX Archives on 15th Apr 15
Cole Seely raced to a career first 450SX win at Houstons NRG Stadium on Saturday night but his achievement was overshadowed by Ryan Dungey clinching the 2015 Monster Energy AMA Supercross title with three rounds still to run.
Heading into Houston, round 14 of the 17-race series, Red Bull KTM's Dungey held an 80-point lead over Geico Honda's Eli Tomac. But after qualifying first Dungey got off to a nervous start in the Main Event and ended the opening lap in 10th as Seely pushed his HRC Honda past Andrew Short to take the lead.
Tomac wasn't fairing any better and the pair struggled to make passes in the early stages. At one point Dungey got hung up behind Justin Barcia which allowed Davi Millsaps through and by lap seven he was still back in seventh, although two places ahead of Tomac.
Both Dungey and Tomac picked up a couple of places when Chad Reed and Jason Anderson tipped over in a 180 degree right-hander and as the race reached half-distance Dungey was up to fourth.
With six laps to go Dungey moved into second and with Seely checked out at the front the 2010 champ kept his cool and brought it home to take his second title and KTM's first in the 450SX class.
"I got out to a good start, got around Shorty and put down some heaters and tried to get as far out as I possibly could before Dungey could get into second,” said Seely. "It was unbelievable out there, so much fun.”
After the race Dungey embraced team boss Roger De Coster, the man who discovered him as an amateur racer and gave him his first pro ride.
"It feels amazing,” said Dungey. "It's really hard to put everything into words right now. It's an amazing accomplishment. I feel like we earned it. There were a lot of tough moments to get to this point.”
Houston also marked the return to the West Coast 250SX series and with a healthy lead over former British MX2 champ Zach Osborne heading into the penultimate round Cooper Webb was looking good to sew up the title.
After starting fourth Webb moved ahead of Tyler Bowers on lap three and a couple of laps later he was in second and closing down early pace-setter Shane McElrath.
With six laps to go Webb set up McElrath for a sweet pass and then immediately opened up a gap which he maintained to the flag.
"I felt good all day and it's a special day for sure,” said Webb. "I've worked my whole life for this trophy. All the sacrifices, everything's paying off. I'm stoked.”
