Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Unique Layout of Las Vegas Track Heats Up Season Finale

From Live Nation

Las Vegas, NV – The season-ending race of Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, will drop the checkered flag this Saturday at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium and the AMA Supercross class title as well as the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout will be decided on the series’ longest and most physically-demanding track.

The top riders in the world, including Chad Reed, Kevin Windham, Ryan Dungey, Jason Lawrence, Ryan Villopoto and Trey Canard, will encounter a track that features some unique and challenging obstacles, including a record 825 ft. start straight that begins in the stadium’s back lot near the pits. The start is out of view of the fans, which adds to the excitement of each race.

In addition to the start layout, track building crew have implemented several unique obstacles and course layouts to challenge the riders, including the “flat track” style section that sends the riders out of the stadium, around the north end of the stadium while racing back in at speeds of up to 60 mph. Lap times are also expected to be the longest of the season, nearing 1:15 per lap.

“We used this start-line configuration last season and it really added suspense and excitement to the start of each race,” said Todd Jendro, senior director of supercross, Live Nation Motor Sports, Inc. “I think fans have come to enjoy the different sections that the Las Vegas tracks have provided in year’s past. We’ll have the flat track section out of the stadium as well as some new jumps and rhythm sections that will be very challenging to the riders and make for good racing.” Yamaha’s Chad Reed will be looking to secure his second AMA Supercross class championship but must overcome the late-season charge of Honda’s Kevin Windham, who trails by 10 points with one race remaining on the season.

Last weekend in Seattle, Windham pulled off a big win to narrow the tight points race. And to add to the suspense, Reed will be riding with a cracked shoulder blade suffered at the Detroit round, which has slowed his results down the stretch.

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