Red Bull KTM and Ryan Dungey have stunned together so far in 2012. Image: Simon Cudby.

Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey has credited his team for the significant progress they’ve made with the Factory Edition 450 SX-F over a short time period.

Dungey and KTM are now the sole holders of the champion leader’s red plate following his second place finish at Dodger Stadium in LA, continuing KTM’s best ever AMA Supercross form.

“It feels great to hold the red number plate as we head into the fourth round,” Dungey explained. “It’s still early in the series, but it is definitely off to a good start for the Red Bull KTM Team.

“I can’t thank everybody on the team enough. They have put in so many hours and we have made so much progress on the new 450. The bike is running amazing.”

In Los Angeles, Dungey grabbed the holeshot and locked in battle for the lead with rival Ryan Villopoto. Shortly after the race was red flagged when Trey Canard and Ryan Morais crashed.

He then got away well in the restart, was fourth at the first corner and sat there for the first seven laps in a four-way battle with Jake Weimer, James Stewart and Chad Reed.

Dungey was able to move up to third after Weimer went down and then fought for second place with Stewart, who also crashed and handed Dungey his second place.

The result means that Dungey is the only rider to have been on the podium in in all three races so far this season and is now four points clear of Villopoto and Reed, who are tied for second.

Dungey will again wear the red plate this weekend in Oakland’s fourth round of the 2012 series.