Fluid PR press release:

Reigning World/AMA Supercross Champion Chad Reed has recorded his 100th career podium after a sensational battle at Jacksonville’s Municipal Stadium saw him finish second.

The event also marked another milestone for the Australian who moved into first place on the all-time consecutive starts list with 111 successive Main Events.

The Rockstar/Makita Suzuki rider won his second holeshot of the year and took an early lead in the 20-lap showdown. A cat and mouse battle ensued with nemesis James Stewart which culminated in the two clashing mid air, whilst jumping the triple jump on Lap 13 of the race.

The rivals traded blows and positions over the next lap until Reed made a small error and ran off track momentarily, allowing Stewart to gain control of the race.

“It was fun out there tonight,” said Reed. “I tried to be smooth and consistent but it really is time for me to get up there and go to battle.”

“I was pumped to get the holeshot, it was only my second of the year and it’s an area that I have been working on.

At the conclusion of the race Reed confronted Stewart about the mid air contact and acknowledged he would take the same no holds barred approach.

“Tonight I learned a lot about how he (James Stewart) wants to play the game,” Reed admitted

“He can come in and clean me up at a turn, that’s racing but when you jump across on somebody in the air like that it’s not cool, I don’t play like that.

“I basically told him if he wants to be dangerous I will play like that too. Any chance I get I will put him in Row F,” Reed stated.

With only three rounds remaining in the 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship Series Reed still holds a five point lead and will utilise the weeks break in schedule to work with his Rockstar Makita Suzuki Team and prepare for the next event in Seattle in a fortnights time.

AMA Supercross Class Results, Jacksonville

1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki
3. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
4. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki
7. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki
8. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha
9. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda
10. Billy Laninovich, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Kawasaki

AMA Supercross Class Season Standings

1. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Suzuki, 315
2. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 310
3. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 225
4. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 193
5. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 193
6. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 193
7. Mike Alessi, Apple Valley, Calif., Suzuki, 185
8. Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 168
9. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 165
10. Josh Hill, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 146

Feld Motor Sports press release:

Team San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart won his 10th AMA Supercross class race at the inaugural Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium before 31,653 fans.
Stewart’s win narrowed current AMA Supercross class point leader Chad Reed’s points deficit to just five. Just one week after clinching the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel won his fifth main event of the season.

Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Mike Alessi started the AMA Supercross class main event by winning the holeshot followed closely by his teammate and current points leader Chad Reed. Reed moved past Alessi in turn two and secured the lead and Stewart snuck into second place.

Stewart tried to set Reed up in a few different sections but the Australian held his ground. Stewart stalked Reed for 13 long laps before he made a pass on the defending champion. Reed answered back and took over the lead on the same lap. Just one lap later, Stewart re-passed Reed and rode to his 10th victory of the season. Reed finished second and GEICO Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham.

“It was fun out there tonight,” said Reed. “I tried to be smooth and consistent but it really is time for me to get up there and go to battle.”

“I was pumped to get the holeshot, it was only my second of the year and it’s an area that I have been working on.

At the conclusion of the race Reed confronted Stewart about the mid air contact and acknowledged he would take the same no holds barred approach.

“Tonight I learned a lot about how he (James Stewart) wants to play the game,” Reed admitted

“He can come in and clean me up at a turn, that’s racing but when you jump across on somebody in the air like that it’s not cool, I don’t play like that.

“I basically told him if he wants to be dangerous I will play like that too. Any chance I get I will put him in Row F,” Reed stated.

“It was a great race, and we actually collided over the triple jump, but that’s racing,” said Stewart. “I look forward to the next race in Seattle.”

At the final Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class race of the season, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Nico Izzi won the holeshot but was quickly removed from the number-one position by Muscle Milk/MDK KTM’s Wil Hahn. Pourcel started in sixth and moved into second place on lap two.

Waiting patiently, Pourcel pressured Hahn and passed him on lap eight for the lead and rode to yet another race win. Hahn earned the best finish of his season with a second place finish followed by Monster Energy Supercross/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C.

“I had a great race tonight,” said Pourcel. “This is a great way to end my championship season. I didn’t get the start I wanted but I was able to work my way to the front of the pack.”

Monster Energy® Supercross resumes racing Saturday, April, 18 at Seattle’s Qwest Field.