Reed breaks AMA SX drought

Chad Reed secured his 42nd victory in the premier class of the AMA Supercross Championship with an emotional victory in the the third round of the 2014 title at Anaheim’s Angel Stadium on Saturday, January 18.

The Kawasaki-backed Australian showed he was back to his sizzling best as he moved his way past Ken Roczen (KTM) and James Stewart (Suzuki) in the last half of the 20-lap final to secure his first victory in 22 starts.

The win was his eighth at Angel Stadium, where he now joins Jeremy McGrath and Stewart.

“This win was a long-time coming and I worked way too hard to get it. My other race wins came a lot easier,” Reed said. “Last year was just so gnarly, in the fact that I was just emotional week in, week out. We just made so many changes and when you’re 31 you’re the old guy out there and start to second guess yourself a bit.

“That was when I just knuckled down, made the choices that I felt were right and I’m very, very thankful to Discount Tire for sponsoring the program and allowing me to do what I love to do.

“I am so proud of my team and I really want to thank everyone for sticking with me.”

Earlier in the night, Reed was honoured in a champions’ parade to celebrate the 40th anniversary of supercross.

Reed is now equal third overall in the standings on 57pts alongside Ryan Dungey (Suzuki), behind Roczen (60) and Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki, 59).

Meanwhile, Matt Moss (Suzuki) was 19th in the 450SX final, and Dean Ferris (KTM) 11th in the 250SX finale.

Anaheim 450SX results:
1. Chad Reed
2. James Stewart
3. Ken Roczen
4. Justin Brayton
5. Ryan Villopoto
6. Ryan Dungey
7. Weston Peick
8. Josh Hill
9. Andrew Short
10. Jake Weimer

450SX standings (after round three of 17):
1. Roczen, 60
2. Villopoto, 59
3. Reed, 57
4. Dungey, 57
5. Justin Brayton, 55
6. Stewart, 44
7. Justin Barcia, 42
8. Short, 38
9. Will Hahn, 30
10. Broc Tickle. 26