Written by:
SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
06/13/2009
Mt. Morris, PA
Under nearly perfect conditions, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Chad Reed, of Australia, raced to his first career 450 Class victory at the Monster Energy National, round four of the Lucas Oil AMAM Pro Motocross Championship at High Point Raceway. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Christophe Pourcel, of France, grabbed the overall victory in the 250 Class and took over the points lead.
The High Point Raceway event marked the first live network television broadcast in the history of the sport on NBC, with one-and-a-half hours of programming featuring 450 competition.
Reed was the man to beat throughout the day, grabbing the holeshot in the first moto, and racing his way to the front of the field in moto two, overcoming Honda Red Bull Racing's Ivan Tedesco, of Tallahassee, Fla. After a two year hiatus from the outdoor nationals, Reed returned this season and has asserted himself as the title favorite, taking over the points lead with today's win.
"It definitely took me (a long time)," said Reed. "To be truthful, I didn't think it'd be eight years for my first overall. But it wasn't for lack of trying. It feels good to get one and this is actually where I got my first (250) win. This weekend off is coming at a good time for me, I'm still not 100%. I'm just not feeling right and that's not the way to go (racing)."
Honda Red Bull Racing grabbed the final two spots on the podium with Andrew Short, of Smithville, Texas, (2-2) and Tedesco (3-3) finishing second and third respectively.
