10 Things to Watch: Washougal
USA MX 2014
www.racerxonline.com By Aaron Hansel, Chase Stallo, and Jason Weigandt
Serial Killer
What just happened here? That’s a question that more than a few people must have been asking themselves after Eli Tomac murdered the field at Spring Creek. Granted, it’s not surprising to see him win, but c’mon, who had him trouncing Ken Roczen by over fifteen seconds in the first moto and beating Ryan Dungey by over eighteen seconds in moto two? With dominance like that, it’s hard to think he’s not about to go on a serial rampage at the remaining rounds, starting at Washougal. –Aaron Hansel
Muzzling the Media
Seeing as how he’s had overall podiums and has only given up 2 points to Ryan Dungey in the last two rounds, we can’t exactly say that Ken Roczen is slumping, although it’s clear that his results have dropped slightly in the second half. Unfortunately, he’s got a history of this (check out the chart near the top of this Racerhead), which makes it tough to simply label the last two races as “off” races. If he wants to squelch this kind of talk, it’s imperative that he gets back to his winning ways at Washougal. -Hansel
Marvin Musquin looks to build on his podium at Spring Creek. Photo: Simon Cudby
Weather or Not
Washougal’s awesome dirt looks great but riders often struggle with traction here—hey, motocross isn’t supposed to be easy. The bigger factor could be weather, and it rained a ton on Thursday, enough to push the regular amateur racing during the week into Sunday. Saturday’s forecast looks good, but how will the track shape up after the Thursday deluge? And, what if we did (finally) have a mudder? -Jason Weigandt
Coming in Hot
Marvin Musquin has really bounced back from the injuries (knee and shoulder) that were holding him back at the beginning of the year, and after Spring Creek he even said that the first moto was his best race of the year. With a runner-up finish last Saturday he can’t be too far from taking the next step forward by nailing down his first win of the season. Will it happen at Washougal? -Hansel
New Rubber
In a move that will allow him to expand his relationship with current title sponsor Discount Tire, Chad Reed has left Dunlop and is now sporting Pirelli tires. He and his new sponsor have a big test ahead of them this weekend in Washougal, a track that looks like it has tons of traction, but is actually greasier than a skillet in a Southern diner. Will his new rubber offer him protection from sliding out and be the Trojan horse he needs to reinsert himself inside the top five? -Hansel
Dean Wilson is coming off a season high at Spring Creek.Photo: Simon Cudby
Long Wait
“It’s taking longer than I had hoped to get back up front,” explained Dean Wilson, following a season-high fifth overall at Millville. Wilson’s progressed since his return at Muddy Creek, but admittedly isn’t where he expects to be. “My fitness and endurance are starting to come together, and I think that will be important in battling with those guys up front,” he said in a team release. Will it all come together for Wilson this weekend? – Chase Stallo
Homecoming
Justin Hill is out with an injury, but young stalwart Matt Bisceglia (GEICO Honda) makes his return to the Pacific Northwest this weekend. Growing up in a nearby Portland suburb, Bisceglia rode Washougal often. “I know every inch of that track, and hopefully I can turn that local knowledge into a podium finish this weekend,” he said in a team release. Last year, Hill, who lives and trains with Bisceglia, used Washougal knowledge to produce his best race of the summer. Can Matty B do that this year? – Stallo
Less than a Moto
With 2 points gained a week ago, Ryan Dungey now trails Ken Roczen by less than a moto. Dungey still faces a big points deficit—24 entering Washougal—and with just four rounds remaining. Since 2004, only twice (2007 and 2011) has the 450 points leader after seven rounds not gone on to win the championship. History is against Dungey, but expect this championship battle to come down to the wire. – Stallo
Can Ryan Dungey (left) pull closer to Ken Roczen this weekend?Photo: Simon Cudby
Welcome Back
Washougal will see the return of top 450 privateer Tommy Weeck. Weeck, who grew up in nearby Carnation and is the brother-in-law of Ryan Huffman (one of the track owners), has enjoyed great success at his home track in years past. Weeck hasn’t raced since Thunder Valley, but told us this week he will debut a new race bike this weekend—he was racing his practice bike at first three rounds. Will the privateer shine at home? - Stallo
Last Gasp
You never want to say never, especially in this sport, but Jeremy Martin has all but locked up his first career 250 MX title. The champagne is on ice, folks. Forty-seven and 56 points separate Martin from Cooper Webb and Blake Baggett entering the weekend. With 200 points still up for grabs, Webb and Baggett have a lifeline, but the pulse is getting weaker and weaker. Both need to make headway in the points battle Saturday. The question is: can they rattle Martin? - Stallo
Stats for Washougal
Check out the stats for the Washougal round of the Lucas Oils AMA Nationals. All the former winners and the latest information on what is what in the American series.
Washougal MX Park – Washougal, Wash. – July 26
- Washougal has hosted Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship events since 1980 and is currently in its third decade of hosting the Nationals in the Pacific Northwest.
- Washougal is known for being one of the most beautiful, yet challenging tracks in the world and features several iconic obstacles, including Horsepower Hill.
- This year’s event will have a “Celebrate Our Heroes” theme to the festivities, honoring all of our country’s service men and women. In the spirit of the afternoon, fans, riders and teams are all expected to be adorned in their patriotic best, whether it’s camouflage or the iconic combination of red, white and blue.
- In 33 years of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship competition at Washougal, only two international riders have captured an overall win – Chad Reed in the 450 Class in 2009 and Ben Townley in the 250 Class in 2007.
- Poulsbo, Washington’s Ryan Villopoto was the first rider from the Pacific Northwest to win at Washougal in the premier 450 Class. A pair of natives did claim victory in the 13 years of 500cc competition – Eric Eaton, of Tacoma, Washington in 1985 and Chuck Sun, of Sherwood, Oregon, at the inaugural event in 1980.
- Ryan Dungey currently sits in second place behind Ricky Carmichael on the Pro Motocross All-Time Race Wins list with 29 victories in the 450 Class. James Stewart sits in fifth on the All-Time list with 20 victories in the 450 Class.
- Through eight rounds, 450 Class points leader Ken Roczen maintains an incredible 1.75 finishing average. The 250 Class points leader, Jeremy Martin, holds a finishing average of 2.8.
450 Class Stats
- The first 450 Class race held at Washougal was August 14, 1983. Rick Johnson won on a Yamaha.
- This will be the 24th time the gate will drop at Washougal for the 450 Class.
- Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Jeff Emig, Ryan Dungey, Jeff Ward and Mike Kiedrowskihave won at Washougal in two or more classes.
- Mike LaRocco won the last 500cc race in Washougal in 1993 on a Honda.
- Rick Johnson, Ricky Carmichael, and Ryan Dungey are the only three riders to win Washougal back-to-back in 1983-84 (Johnson), 2004-05 (Carmichael), and 2010-11 and 2011-12 (Dungey).
- In 2012, Ryan Dungey became the first rider in history to win at Washougal for three consecutive years, also winning five of his last six attempts at the facility.
- Yamaha has not won at Washougal in the new millennium (last win in 1999).
- As the 2013 250 Class winner, Eli Tomac looks to be the next rider to win Washougal in both the 250 and 450 Class. Tomac currently holds a ninth-place standing in the championship, despite missing eight motos this season.
250 Class Stats
- The first 250 Class race was held at Washougal on July 6, 1980. Mark Barnett won on a Suzuki.
- This will be the 34th time the gate will drop at Washougal for a 250 Class race.
- In 33 years, only five riders have earned their first career victory at Washougal. Ryan Dungey was the most recent in 2008.
- Dungey was also the last rider to go back-to-back at Washougal (2008-2009) since James Stewart did it as part of a three-year streak from 2002-2004.
- Washougal has hosted nine different 250 Class winners over the last ten seasons.
- Blake Baggett will attempt to become the next repeat winner in the 250 Class at Washougal. Baggett is the only previous Washougal winner to line up in the 250 Class this season.
- Yamaha has not won at Washougal in the new millennium (last win in 1993 by Jeff Emig).
