Dodger Stadium undergoes final preparations for the first-ever stop of the Monster Energy Supercross Series this Saturday. (Photo Tony Solorzano, Mid Valley Sports)
By Tony Solorzano
(Los Angeles) – The inaugural stop of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross at Dodger Stadium is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the riders participating in Saturday’s event, according to riders Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey, who spoke Thursday at Media Day at the stadium.
Normally, Dodger Stadium is quiet except for the occasional winter workouts by rookie and non-roster invitees of the Dodgers before Spring Training begins in February, but on this day, the sound of bulldozers shaping the intricate track on the floor of the venerable field as the press and riders gathered in the Stadium Club to talk about Saturday’s third race of the 2011 season.
“A lot of people are bringing their A-game this season, I’m slowly moving up (after the first two races),” said Reed, as he spoke while crews continued to work on the track construction. “All of the track sections are there week to week, it’s the dirt that makes the track unique to us, overall it’s gonna be another race for us, but the biggest challenge is to get the bikes to have traction.”
Reed, a two-time Series champion, is steadily moving up after the first two races of the year. At the season opener in Anaheim, Reed finished fifth then just missed a podium finish the following week in Phoenix with a fourth place finish. So far Ryan Villopoto and James “Bubba” Stewart have grabbed wins in the races so far.
Dungey, meanwhile was also taken by the history of the venue, right from the start when he arrived at the Stadium.
“I drove through the gates this morning and it just struck me at the history here,” Dungey said before heading down to the pits to run some practice laps on part of the track. “It’s an honor and a thrill to be here since it’s the first time being here in the series.”
Dungey, who captured the Title last year with six wins in the 17-race season, finished second at Anaheim but struggled at Phoenix and finished fifth. However, he was confident of his chances in Saturday’s race.
Racing begins at 12:30 with Qualifying running throughout the afternoon, then the main events begin at 7:30 p.m.
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