Seattle Results
Rookie Justin Brayton Earns First Supercross Podium HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (April 25, 2010) – The first supercross held in Seattle was on February 18, 1978 in the historic Kingdome. Last night’s race was the 28th year Seattle has hosted a round of the AMA Supercross Championship. The Kingdome was demolished in 2000 and replaced with the Qwest Field open-air stadium. With the words “Seattle” and “rain” practically synonymous, every year all eyes are on the weather leading up to the event. The forecast predicted a 50% chance of a major mudder, so the track was covered in plastic after being built. The rain did come, causing practice to be delayed, and qualifying to be condensed into one session rather than two. Thankfully the rain stopped before the racing started, and 51,442 fans were able to see some exciting racing, although the track was extremely soft and technically challenging.
Both Michael Byrne and Justin Brayton pulled holeshots in their respective heat races and easily transferred to the main event. In the main event Brayton and Byrne again started toward the front, with Brayton in second and Byrne fourth. The track had deteriorated to the point that nearly every rider in the field was making mistakes at some point around the circuit. Brayton succumbed to the ruts and went from second to third on the 11th lap, with Byrne in seventh. They would maintain those positions to the finish, with the rookie Brayton earning his first Supercross Class podium finish, and Byrne equaling his best finish of the 2010 season. “It feels good, I got to give it up to my team, the Muscle Milk/Toyota/Yamaha Joe Gibbs team, we never stop working and I got to give it up to them,” said Brayton on the podium. “I really want to thank all the guys who have been behind me 110%, Muscle Milk, Toyota, Yamaha, SHIFT, Gaerne, Oakley, Leatt, Bell, this is for you guys.”
Since its inception, the Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX Team has supported MX for Children, a non-profit organization supporting research for treating hydrocephalus, the leading cause of brain surgery for children. The team donated several items for the annual fund raising auction, and Justin Brayton, along with several other professional riders visited Seattle Children’s Hospital to encourage the young patients to persevere through the multiple brain surgeries they will endure as part of their treatment.
The original broadcast from Seattle airs today at 6:00 p.m. (EST) on SPEED. The 16th round of the 17-race series will be on May 1 at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. The original broadcast from Salt Lake City will air May 2 at noon (EST) on CBS.
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