It might not be the year of Ryan Dungey, yet, but a win on Saturday for Round 12 of the 2015 Monster Energy Supercross series adds some more checkmarks to his growing list of career firsts accomplished this season.
Dungey won for the first time at Daytona two weeks ago and he's currently in the midst of a career first three straight victories and 10 straight podium appearances, so taking Detroit gives him his first win in the Motor City and of course stretches his win streak to four and podium streak to 11.
He's not a lock for the Championship, even 11th place Davi Millsaps is mathematically still in it, but with a 45 point lead over Trey Canard and no signs of slowing down, with the way he's riding the 2015 Supercross Championship might be crowned in, of all places, the first ever stop in Santa Clara at Levi's Stadium. He's got five victories this year, one shy of his six-win Championship season in 2010.
But Canard wants to win. So does Eli Tomac. Both are significantly back with the burden more so on Tomac as his 11th place performance in Indianapolis didn't help matters. Tomac is 80 points back from Dungey and he'll even have a hard time catching Canard who has a firm grip on second with 35 points separating him from third-place. Both riders have wins this year, Canard with two as well as podium finishes in five of the last six races, but Dungey hasn't finished below fourth-place this season so unless something drastic happens, the two best chances to topple Dungey have their work cut out for them.
The battle for third should provide some of the most intense racing down the wire as Cole Seely, Chad Reed, Jason Anderson, Blake Baggett and possibly Ken Roczen, depending on when he returns, are within reach if they race well the rest of the way. Both Baggett and Anderson finished well outside the Top 10 for Round 11 and will have to step it up the rest of the way for a chance at the final podium. Of course, their on-track scuffling during practice in Indianapolis could always boil over and provide a different type of show.
On the home front, Jimmy Albertson ended his season after dislocating his shoulder for the umpteenth time last weekend. He'll have surgery to fix both shoulder joints and plans to be 100 percent for the 2016 Supercross season.
Nick Wey rides into Detroit with a nice streak going
Nick Wey is making a push to finish strong in what is likely his final season. He's made six straight Mains and tied his season best of 14th place last time out and should get into the Top 20 in points with a strong ride in Detroit. Don't forget Adam Enticknap who made his first Main of the year, and did so by qualifying in the Semi, finishing 21st.
In the 250 East class, you'd think Marvin Musquin would be running away with the title after four wins and a second-place for the year but defending champion Justin Bogle is hanging on though he's going to need a win or two by year's end to make it a contest. Like Musquin, Bogle has five straight podium appearances, but unlike Musquin, no wins. Bogle is 16 points back with four rounds to go.
Kyle Peters is riding well
Jeremy Martin, the only other winner this year, did himself no favors by failing to make the Main last week. The no-show and no points dropped him 21 points back of second place and 37 from first. He entered Indianapolis with a one-point edge over Bogle for second.
Colt Nichols is hot coming into Detroit
MotoSport riders in the 250 class are holding their own as Kyle Peters has three straight Top 10 finishes, including two straight seventh-place finishes and is in ninth-place in the standings, tied in points with James Decotis. Only five points separate him from Martin Davalos in sixth-place. Colt Nichols, Peters' teammate on the MotoSport.com/GPI/Honda Racing team, finished a season best ninth-place last week and is 15th in the standings.
Mitchell Oldenburg brings some speed to the Motor City
Mitchell Oldenburg gets the full tutelage of Albertson, his teammate on the Arma/MotoSport/Yamaha team, for the rest of the season. Oldenburg is in 17th place with three Top 15 finishes and has the speed to get in the Top 10 every round as he did at Daytona.
Practice for Supercross Round 12 starts at 12 p.m. (EST) and the Main event begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit. Buy tickets online, at retail outlets or at the box office, 2000 Brush St in Detroit.
2015 Monster Energy Supercross Season Standings
450SX Class Season Standings
- Ryan Dungey (249)
- Trey Canard (204)
- Eli Tomac (169)
- Cole Seely (160)
- Ken Roczen (156)
- Chad Reed (152)
- Jason Anderson (144)
- Blake Baggett (141)
- Andrew Short (124)
- Broc Tickle (120)
250SX East Class Season Standings
- Marvin Musquin (122)
- Justin Bogle (106)
- Jeremy Martin (85)
- RJ Hampshire (74)
- Joey Savatg y (73)
- Martin Davalos (62)
- Vince Friese (58)
- James Decotis (57)
- Kyle Peters (57) - MotoSport rider
- Anthony Rodriguez (52)
