Yamaha's Chad Reed has won his fourth THQ AMA Supercross Series race of the season after taking a surprise victory over
points leader Ricky Carmichael and the charging James 'Bubba' Stewart on Saturday night at the Pontiac Silverdome in front
of 51,142 fans.
Honda's Kevin Windham won the $1,500 Butterfinger Crisp Holeshot Award ahead of Yamaha's Heath Voss then the big three of
Reed, Carmichael and Stewart. Carmichael moved into second place on lap 2 but two laps later Stewart crashed, removing himself
from the heated battle.
Defending champion Reed then worked his way past Carmichael on lap 12 and passed Windham for the lead on lap 16. RC finished
second after passing Windham on lap 17, limiting his points lost.
"That was a great race tonight," said Reed. "I was a little tight at the start and started to get into the groove as the race
progressed. This was seriously one of the best races of my career and I am happy to leave with a big win."
Meanwhile, the event also saw the climax of the 125cc East Coast Supercross championship. Kelly Smith claimed the Holeshot,
while points leader Grant Langston sat back in eighth on lap 1.
The South African fought his way back to fourth by the finish and, with KTM's Josh Hansen winning the event, the pair were
actually tied on 143 points. However, Kawasaki rider Langston got the nod due to his greater number of race wins (three to
Hansen's two).
"This was an amazing season for me," said Langston. "Winning the 125cc supercross championship is a milestone in my career."
Suzuki's Davi Millsaps finished second in the race and Honda's Joaquim Rodrigues third.
The event takes place at Seattle's Qwest Field on Saturday, April 16.
