A Roarin' Return

Seattle, Wash. ~ Despite being overlooked in the preseason hype, Team AMSOIL/Chaparral/Honda rider Kevin Windham started the 2005 THQ AMA Supercross season on a tear. He had a win at Anaheim in the opener, a second at Phoenix and then a third at Anaheim II. But then something happened -- a couple of bad crashes followed by a few races where he just wasn't competitive with series leaders Chad Reed and Ricky Carmichael. Two weeks ago things started to turn around for the Mississippi native. After grabbing the holeshot in Detroit he stayed with the front of the pack and picked up a third. But it was his performance this past weekend in Seattle that proves K-Dub is once again among the sport's elite.

In almost mirror conditions to Anaheim 1, Qwest Field in Seattle was drenched with rain before Saturday's racing. The rain did subside long enough for the track to dry up, but the AMA had already shortened the day's events. Windham would take advantage once the gates dropped in the 250cc class. For the second straight week, he rode up front with authority. He won his heat race for the second week in a row and was considered one to watch with the potential muddy conditions.

"I enjoy racing in the rain and the mud," said Windham after his heat win. "I had a strong ride last weekend and I was ready for this weekend regardless. The heat went great."

In the main event, Windham shot out to the front trying to reach the first corner ahead of the pack, but James Stewart and Chad Reed had the same thoughts with the three riders all fighting for the holeshot. When the dust settled, Windham was able to push through the carnage and settled into fifth. K-Dub quickly battled his way to third behind series leader Ricky Carmichael. Windham shadowed RC for the entire race, biding his time until the last lap. With Reed approaching from behind and little track remaining, Windham passed Ricky, finishing a strong second.

"I felt good tonight," said Windham after the race. "I kept fighting for it and fighting for it and was able to get Ricky with one lap to go. It was an exciting main. I wish we could have stayed up there with Bubba (James Stewart) but that first turn we came in hot and kind of scattered like bowling pins. But it was a good night for me and I'm happy for all of my team."

The strong finish is also good news as the season winds down. With only two races remaining, the focus is shifting on the outdoor season. Windham wants to build on his last two races to gain that much needed confidence heading into the summer.

"I just kept plugging away. I had some big get-offs early in the year and that kind of slowed me down. I'm back up and running, I have confidence, my bike is running great and I definitely want to finish this season out strong."

With only two rounds of racing left, Windham's teammate Mike La Rocco continues to ride like an Ironman. The Rock started the day strong by posting the third fasted lap time in practice. He carried that momentum into the evening program by finishing second in his heat race behind Windham. In the main, LaRocco had a good start settling in behind K-Dub. He put in consistent laps in his usual grinding style, earning yet another top five finish.

Back to finish up the 125cc West Coast Series, Billy Laninovich returned to the track after having seven weeks to prepare for the remaining races. "Lano" came into Seattle healthy and riding with confidence. He started the night off well by finishing third in his heat race. In the main, he had agreat start rounding the first corner in third, but struggled with traffic and found himself back in eighth by the end of lap two. By lap 11, Laninovich had worked back up to finish sixth.

Unfortunately, West Coast Series teammate Tommy Hahn injured his heel during practice two weeks ago. He will more than likely be out for the rest of the 125cc THQ AMA Supercross Season, but will return for the Outdoor Nationals.

Be sure to catch the AMSOIL Chaparral Honda team next Sunday, April 24 at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. This year's races will receive two hours of next day coverage on ESPN2. Check your listings for show times.

Checkered Flag Notes

* Daryl Hadley Racing and AMSOIL had a great opening day at Salem Speedway this past Sunday. Driver Scot Beeler won the street stock 50-lap race and David Bayens finished second.

* Bender Racing took home a win last Saturday. The team's 358 Sprint Car raced at Selinsgrove Speedway and won the heat starting from the 11th position. They had a redraw for the feature and drew the 20th starting position. They were still able to find the podium with a third place finish in the 25-lape race.

* After garnering one win and one runner-up in the opening weekend of Thunder Valley's Sunoco Bracket Series last month, Mike Gill continued his early season success last weekend. The Elizabethton, Tenn. native rode his 1992 Suzuki to a Pro Bike win. Gill had a reaction time of .014 and elapsed time of 5.914 seconds. The win expands Gill's point lead to 90.

* Young motocross rider P.J. Osmer continues to dominate on the West Coast. Osmer raced in Caruthers, Calif. Saturday in the 85cc class. He placed first in the heat and second in the main. In the 125 4-stroke class, he placed first in the heat and first in the main. On Sunday in Tulare, Calif., it was the final event of the CMA Pacific Coast Series. In the 85cc class he placed first in the heat and first in the main. In the 125cc 4-stroke class, he again placed first in the heat and first in the main. He finished the series third overall in the 85cc class and first overall in the 125cc 4-stroke class.

Picture of the Week

The rain may have stopped long enough to hold the races in Seattle last weekend, but it still had an impact on the riders. This was the face of one of the triples at the end of the night. Are you ready to step up and pick a line?