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Heading into the always difficult and challenging track of Daytona for Round 9 of the AMA Supercross Series, rumors of Chad Reed swirled in the air. So was it true? Was the injured Reed going to make his comeback this weekend?
Sure enough Reed was in Daytona and sure enough he got on the bike and headed to the track for practice. Even though he crashed while scrubbing a jump, Reed still put down the fastest practice times. So would he race? That was a question that lingered all the way to the start of Heat #2 of the Supercross class.
Well Reed didn’t race, he said there was too much to risk out there and it wasn’t worth it right now. He was there to sign some autographs as it was getting too hard to stay away. He hopes to be ready to go next weekend in Toronto.
For the guys that did race in Daytona it was business as usual. Austin Stroupe got the holeshot in the Lites Main Event and had the lead up until the 6th lap when Christophe Porucel had enough of that. Porucel took over from there leaving Stroupe to settle for 2nd. Dean Wilson had an impressive day and took 3rd. Pourcel is dominating in points with his 3rd straight East Coast Lites win.
In the Supercross Main Event it was Ryan Villopoto taking the holeshot and heading out to a huge lead. That was up until Grant Langston came up short on a landing and crash hard to the dirt. Langston was rushed to the hospital and the race was red-flagged. Villopoto seemed pretty upset after he was off to a great start.
Well either his emotions were still running high or it was just his night because Villopoto took the holeshot and the lead yet again. Josh Hill gave up a fight for a little while, but you could see he was not yet 100%. Dungey passed Hill in the 3rd lap to take 2nd and then it was Trey Canards turn, passing Hill in Lap 5. Dungey tried to make a run at Villopoto for the lead, but it just wasn’t there. Villopoto went on for the win and Dungey took 2nd. Canard would reach the podium for the 2nd straight week as he is doing well on the 450cc bike fresh of the West Lites series. Honda may be on to something here with Canard. He may just be the guy to put Honda back in the spotlight.
The word on Langston is that he has feeling on his hands and feet and is expected to be released from the hospital.
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