2004 THQ AMA Supercross Series

he 2004 Supercross Series will no doubt go down in history as one of the most notorious ever. The second half of the season started out relatively normal. We finally got to see some good, clean, controversy-free racing. At Daytona, Parts Unlimited’s newest addition, Travis Pastrana, made an impressive return to Supercross, winning the first 250 heat race over Kevin Windham. James Stewart did what everyone expected and won every round in the 125cc East Series, except for Indianapolis, where Josh Hansen took the top podium spot. In the 250 class at Indy, we saw a great race and win for “Iron Mike” LaRocco, in front of his hometown crowd, following his 200th career Supercross start. Chad Reed and Kevin Windham continued to put on some fantastic battles, with Reed winning every race from Atlanta through Dallas, except Indy. Then came Salt Lake.

Team Yamaha celebrates Chad Reed’s THQ AMA 250
Supercross title victory in Las Vegas.

Points leader Chad Reed was going into the race in Utah with a 37-point lead, knowing with an almost certainty that he would clinch the 250cc title that Saturday. However, late Friday evening before the race, the internet started buzzing with news that Reed had been penalized for using illegal fuel in Dallas the week before. As the official press releases started rolling in, the story that came out was that Factory Yamaha’s Chad Reed and David Vuillemin and privateer Tyson Hadsell (also on a Yamaha) were all being docked 25 points for using fuel that was reportedly not within the AMA’s regulations. This conclusion was drawn after routine fuel testing following the race in Dallas. This season, the AMA implemented new rules stating that only unleaded fuel was to be used. Reed, Vuillemin and Hadsell’s lead-levels were allegedly over the limit allowed and the AMA ruled that the most appropriate course of action would be to penalize all three riders with a 25-point deduction.

Pro Circuit Kawasaki Team Owner Mitch Payton holds the championship
trophy as his crew shares the winning moment with 125 West Supercross Champ Ivan Tedesco.

(L-R) Stephane Roncada, Ivan Tedesco and Nathan Ramsey at the
start of the 125 Dallas Supercross.

     Subsequent press releases began flowing from the Yamaha camp. They claimed that the results were erroneous and that they would be appealing the AMA’s decision. The fuel from Reed and Vuillemin’s bikes had last been tested in San Francisco, where they had placed first and second, respectively, and was found to be in compliance. The AMA refused to accept Yamaha’s appeal, with AMA Pro Racing’s Director of Competition, Merrill Vanderslice, being quoted as saying, “The appeals submitted by the riders never refute AMA Pro Racing’s finding that fuel tested after the Texas Supercross was found to be in non-compliance. Instead, the appeals attempt to cast doubt on the testing methodology, the validity of the AMA Supercross fuel requirements, whether or not their fuel impacted performance and the appropriateness of the penalty. Based on the language in the AMA Supercross Rulebook, none of this is appealable.”
     Team Yamaha then put out a press release of its own, in which Yamaha’s racing manager Keith McCarty stated, “Team Yamaha has made every effort to comply with all AMA rules, including the rules regarding the amount of lead in the gasoline used by Team Yamaha riders. Team Yamaha purchased and regularly tested its fuel with the AMA-suggested fuel field test kit during the Supercross series. The fuel used by Team Yamaha at the San Francisco Supercross was tested and received a passing result from the AMA. Since Team Yamaha received the AMA test results from the Dallas Supercross, Team Yamaha had the fuel it used at the Salt Lake City Supercross tested by an independent laboratory for lead content. The test results for this gasoline were well within the AMA lead standard. The AMA has not provided Team Yamaha with a sample of the fuel that the AMA took from Team Yamaha at the Dallas Supercross, despite our request for such a sample. We are concerned about many aspects of the AMA test results and procedures regarding the sample taken by the AMA at Dallas. Given that Team Yamaha purchased fuel that met the AMA standard and Team Yamaha’s regular and repeated efforts to verify its use of complying fuel, Team Yamaha is concerned that the results of the Dallas test may be the result of fuel contamination.”
So now Reed’s lead had been reduced to just 12 points over Kevin Windham. Reed’s chances of claiming the championship were still great, but certainly diminished from where they were prior to the deduction. Reed placed second in Salt Lake behind Windham and knew going into Las Vegas that if Windham won again, he had to place eighth or better to secure the title. Thankfully, Reed ran a great race and ended up coming in a conservative second behind Windham to win the championship.
     Following the race in Las Vegas, in another press release from Team Yamaha, Keith McCarty congratulated Reed on his win, despite the controversy. McCarty stated, “Yamaha is proud that Chad Reed won the Supercross Championship and we congratulate him on his series victory. He’s an outstanding athlete and sportsman, and we think that it was a special win by a special individual.”
     “Racers and fans deserve the certainty of a fair race and a fair result,” added McCarty. “That is why we’re asking the AMA to make Supercross and Motocross fuel testing more professional and equitable.”
     In the 125 class, Stewart picked up the 125 East Series title and in Dallas, Ivan Tedesco claimed the 125 West title. As the 125 East/West Shootout in Las Vegas approached, the buzz surrounding the “Bubba or Ivan….who’s gonna win?” question was growing. In the end, it was Bubba who went on to take the win, but not before engaging in a fierce battle with Stephane Roncada. Ron-Ron was out for blood and made it clear that he was not going to let Stewart just slide by him. He ran out front for the first half of the race, until Stewart finally edged past him. Roncada continued to put the heat on Bubba until the end and finished a solid second, just ahead of Nate Ramsey, with Tedesco in fourth. What finally lit the fire under Ron-Ron’s…..uh…. tailpipe? I think he just really wanted to shave that beard!
     Overall, the 2004 THQ AMA Supercross Series was extraordinary, albeit, a little bizarre. As we now look forward to outdoors, we hope for a conflict-free season, where we can finally get back to enjoying this sport for what it’s really about….the racing. Here’s wishing all you racers a season of holeshots, podium finishes and no more, um, “bad gas”.
     Here are some of the highlights from the second half of the Supercross season…..Atlanta to Las Vegas.

At the conclusion of the conflict-ridden and drama-laden 2004 Supercross season, it was Factory Yamaha’s Chad Reed who came out on top. Reed won ten out of the sixteen rounds during the season, but claimed the 250 title by just nine points over Amsoil/Chaparral Honda’s Kevin Windham, due to the 25-point deduction Reed received from the fuel controversy. Reed is the first Australian and only the third foreign rider ever to win the AMA Supercross title, joining Pierre Karmakers (1974) and Jean-Michel Bayle (1991). And we’re willing to bet that this is only the first of many championships to come for Chad. Congratulations Chad on a phenomenal Supercross season! We wish you the best of luck in the Outdoor series and in all of your future racing endeavors. Parts Unlimited is honored to have you in the family!

Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Ivan Tedesco positively dominated the 125 West Series in 2004. Tedesco won every 125 West round except for San Francisco, earning himself the 125 West Supercross Championship. Mitch Payton’s powerhouse Pro Circuit 125 program has been the breeding ground for an astounding number of future 250 champions over the years, including the two most successful Supercross riders in history, Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael. So, if history repeats itself, which we hope it does, Ivan’s just getting warmed up! Congratulations Ivan on your 125 West Championship! We’re proud to have you representing Parts Unlimited and we wish you many more successes in the future!

Since the start of his racing career, Travis Pastrana has always been one of the most popular guys around. Regardless of whether he’s racing Supercross or competing in the X-Games, fans are drawn to his amazing talent and charismatic style. That’s why Parts Unlimited was thrilled to sign Travis to wear Thor gear this season. Plagued by injuries last season, Travis made his return to Supercross in Daytona. In his first heat race, he brought the crowd to its feet by engaging in a fierce battle with Kevin Windham, eventually defeating the second place series point’s holder. The next week in St. Louis, Pastrana’s injury curse continued when he crashed early on in the main event and fractured his ankle. Travis was out again until Las Vegas. In his heat race, he was again battling with Windham. The two put on a fantastic show for the crowd. They swapped the lead back and forth and Travis even took the opportunity to throw a nac-nac right in K-dub’s face. Pastrana reluctantly decided that he would sit out the main event, due to aggravation of his previous ankle injury. Travis is a welcome addition to the Parts Unlimited team, with his obvious potential and first-rate image. Stay healthy Travis…we’re looking forward to seeing you up on that podium next season!
When the 125 Series came back to the West, Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Stephane Roncada picked up right where he had left off. He won his heat race in Dallas, was second in the main in Salt Lake behind teammate Ivan Tedesco and was second to James Stewart in the East/West Shootout in Las Vegas. At press time, Roncada was looking like the guy to challenge Stewart outdoors. Stay tuned for an update.
Yamaha of Troy’s Josh Hansen was originally going to run the 125 West Series, but after breaking his hand in an early round, decided to run the East Series instead. He was third in Daytona, second in St. Louis, earned his first Supercross win in Indy, second in Pontiac, seventh in Dallas, fourth in Salt Lake and seventh in the Shootout in Las Vegas. So, although ineligible for championship points, Hansen ended up having an excellent season.
Yamaha of Troy’s Kelly Smith placed in the top ten in Daytona, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Pontiac. He won his heat race in Indy and finished up the season fifth in the 125 East Supercross Series point standings.
Yamaha of Troy’s Danny Smith had a very consistent season in the 125 East Series. Smith placed sixth in Atlanta, seventh in Daytona, seventh in St. Louis, third in Indy and fourth in Pontiac. He also won his heats in Atlanta, Indy and Pontiac. Danny finished third in the 125 East Supercross Series.

Kawasaki’s Michael Byrne placed in the top ten in five out of the eight 250 races in the second half of the Supercross season.

When the 125 West Series resumed, Yamaha of Troy’s Brock Sellards continued with his consistent top ten finishes. Sellards was sixth in Dallas, third in Salt Lake and tenth in the Las Vegas Shootout.


ROUND 9	ROUND 12	ROUND 15	THQ AMA 250 Chad Reed (YAM): 355 Kevin Windham (HON): 346 Mike LaRocco (HON): 310 David Vuillemin (YAM): 271 Nick Wey (SUZ): 204 THQ AMA 125 West Ivan Tedesco (KAW): 197 Nathan Ramsey (HON): 147 Stephane Roncada (KAW): 140 Brock Sellards (YAM): 127 Travis Preston (HON): 117 THQ AMA 125 East James Stewart (KAW): 150 Broc Hepler (SUZ): 99 Danny Smith (YAM): 98 Paul Carpenter (KAW): 90 Kelly Smith (YAM): 85 Kawasaki’s Paul Carpenter finished in the top ten in four out of the five 125 East rounds run in the second half of the season. Carpenter placed fifth in Atlanta, third in St. Louis, second in Indy and eighth in Pontiac.
ATLANTA Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA. February 28, 2004 125 Class Winner: James Stewart (KAW) 250 Class Winner: Chad Reed: (YAM)	INDIANAPOLIS RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana March 20, 2004 125 Class Winner: Josh Hansen (YAM) 250 Class Winner: Mike LaRocco (HON)	SALT LAKE Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT. April 24, 2004 125 Class Winner: Ivan Tedesco (KAW) 250 Class Winner: Kevin Windham (HON)
ROUND 10	ROUND 13	ROUND 16
DAYTONA Daytona Int’l Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL. March 5, 2004 125 Class Winner: James Stewart (KAW) 250 Class Winner: Chad Reed (YAM)	PONTIAC Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, MI April 3, 2004 125 Class Winner: James Stewart (KAW) 250 Class Winner: Chad Reed (YAM)	LAS VEGAS Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, NV. May 1, 2004 125 East/West Shootout Winner: James Stewart (KAW) 250 Class Winner: Kevin Windham (HON)
ROUND 11	ROUND 14
DAYTONA Daytona Int’l Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL. March 5, 2004 125 Class Winner: James Stewart (KAW) 250 Class Winner: Chad Reed (YAM)	DALLAS Texas Stadium, Irving, TX. April 17, 2004 125 Class Winner: Ivan Tedesco (KAW) 250 Class Winner: Chad Reed (YAM)

Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Eric Sorby finished seventh in Atlanta and sixth in Daytona before being sidelined with a broken sternum sustained in a crash at St. Louis.

Stephane Roncada on the podium in Las Vegas with James Stewart and third-place finisher Nathan Ramsey.

Chad Reed shares some love with his fans after clinching the 250 title in Las Vegas.

You’d think Chad would look a little happier about winning the championship. Maybe he’s just contemplating how to fit that trophy into the overhead bin on the plane ride home?

The AMA pulled the plug on Pastrana’s cool-looking new Thor jersey after just one race, stating that AMA rules require the riders full name and number to be displayed in the typical horizontal fashion.

KTM’s Grant Langston placed seventh in Daytona, eleventh in St. Louis and eighth in Indy before stepping out for the remainder of the series to have surgery on his wrist for tendonitis. Langston is shown here at Daytona in his #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.-inspired helmet M2R made for him specifically for the race.

Deep thoughts…by Rob Buydos.

TFS, you know you’ve made it when you get your own umbrella girl to follow you around at the races!

There’s no doubt that the KTM Jr. Supercross kids are having the time of their lives!