Intern Report: Monster Energy Supercross - Anaheim 3

By: mxgirl99

Posted: 02/10/09

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Words and Photos: Kristen Beat

The rain definitely made Anaheim 3 a remarkable race. It also didn't stop the fans from coming out to cheer on their favorite riders. Yet, to the disappointment of many Jason Lawrence fans, J- Law was nowhere to be found. In an effort to give some clarity to all of the hype surrounding the incident in San Francisco Josh Hansen and Steve Boniface spoke with me about the erratic quarrel; which by the way had very little to do with the all too often sensationalized Jason Lawrence.

Hansen gave us his account of what went down.

Can you explain what happened between you and Steve Boniface?
Pretty much I was sticking up for my teammate more or less, he was being real dangerous on the track cross jumping and stuff. I just went over there, and wasn't looking for a fight but I definitely went over there talking a lot of crap to him. I was pretty mad and I mean I've had problems with him for the last four years. He had his buddies with him and he was obviously feeling pretty good about himself because he head butted me. After he head butted me I had to hit him, I hit him as hard as I could and put him to the ground. It wasn't really that big of a fight. Everybody in our industry is so straight lace, whenever you hear about something like this go down everybody trips out about it. It was made out bigger than what it is. What sucks is I got fined, a $10,000 fine and I'm on probation so I can't get in trouble.

As far as J-Law's involvement, what brought that about? We know now that the fight broke out between you and Boniface yet Jason is somehow involved, how did that happen?
I think what happened was, once I started getting into a fight it was me against 8 guys pretty much. So Lawrence was going by and stuck up for me, I guess anybody would if they saw it. It bummed me out because he didn't really get involved with it, he got in and got out and tried to help me. He really did get the raw end of the deal. Honestly I would say if he was being an idiot or what but really I think he's getting screwed, it was between me and Boniface.

Boniface told his story as well, note the barely visible black left eye.

What can you tell me about the altercation that occurred in San Francisco?
About 45 minutes after the San Francisco race, Hansen came over to my rig and wanted to talk to me about something that happened out on the track. He started to talk really bad to me and cuss, Lawrence came over next to him and started pumping him up to fight with me. It ended up me and Hansen fighting, and when I was holding Hansen, Lawrence came over and started punching me from the back. They teamed up on me and there were some people who came over to break everything down.

What happened out on the track that would provoke Hansen to pursue you so aggressively?
It's not about Lawrence, I have nothing to do with him. We don't race the same class. He just came over and it was more between Hansen and me, he came over because apparently I am a dirty rider or something like that but I have never had any problem on the track. It was more Hansen and me but Lawrence was there to make it a bigger deal than it was. I have nothing against them, they came over to fight me, and they chose a good guy because I'm not scared.

Has AMA done anything to penalize you for the fight?
Yeah we have been put on probation with a $10,000 fine.

Is your black eye from the incident?
Yeah Hansen came up and punched me from the side, I just didn't see him coming.

After speaking with both riders, it was difficult to flesh out the true nature of the incident. Thankfully, Anaheim 3 remained relatively calm, besides the weather. The racing was postponed until later in the afternoon and the track was kept covered until right before qualifying.

The track at Angel Stadium was designed by none other than the King of Supercross Jeremy McGrath. It literally resembled the creativity that one might see in a video game. The general opinion of the track was positive. It consisted of all rhythm and whoops, which made for some technical riding.

Chad Reed was seen bearing an ear to ear smile prior to qualifying.

This little guy was seen smiling too!

Due to the unpleasant weather, qualifying was condensed into one ten-minute moto in which the riders sacrificed life and limb to secure their spot in the night show. In Lites heat one it was evident just how messy the night would become as Dungey walked away with the first win of the evening. In heat two Weimer came out in the lead followed by a frantic Justin Brayton.

In heat one of the supercross class, Andrew Short took an early lead followed by Millsaps who aggressively passed Short to takeover. Reed finished 2nd followed by Voss, Hahn and Ferry. Stewart's pace in heat two put him in the front followed by Mike Alessi and Josh Grant. By the 2nd lap Grant and Tedesco succeeded in getting around Alessi.

In the LCQ's Moss and Mcrummen took the remaining spots for the Lites bikes along with Short and Carpenter who made the transfer in the supercross class. A rider who would have liked to have also been out on the track racing was Broc Hepler, who spent the day signing autographs and enjoying the race as a spectator.

Before the main event, teams deliberated as to what they would do in order to counteract the slick track.

Kevin Windham didn't allow the weather to rain on his parade as he was approaching the gate for the main event.

At the start of the lites main Justin Brayton had the lead with Jake Weimer and Ryan Morais hot on his trail. Throughout the race Brayton and Weimer challenged each other's advances. When the checkers flew, Weimer took the win and the Lites Championship points lead. Behind him came Ryan Morais and an obviously exhausted Justin Brayton. In fourth was Ryan Dungey who struggled throughout the race after a bad start and rounding out he top five was Jeff Alessi.

The hush before the storm came as the Supercross class lined up for the start of the main event. The sound of thundering bikes drowned out all inhibition and with the drop of the gate, the sky opened to fiercely poetic rain. James Stewart bolted into the first turn with the holeshot. Behind him Davi Millsaps and Josh Grant contested for 2nd and third. By lap 6 Reed has succeeded in attaining the third place position, overtaking. Reed easily moved into the second place position with Millsaps finishing in 3rd, Tedesco in 4th and Grant in 5th. Upon leaving Anaheim, a cold rain set in yet aglow in the limelight was an ecstatic James Stewart who took home his fifth straight victory.

Next weekend the Monster Energy Supercross stops on my home turf of San Diego. See ya then!