With the 2005 Supercross series nearly over and the outdoor season just around the corner, it’s conceivable that some teams and riders may have shifted their focus to getting ready for the grueling summer schedule. While Team Honda/Moto XXX is certainly preparing for the rigors of the AMA Nationals, sandbagging the final rounds of Supercross has never been an option and the privateer squad’s performance in Houston, TX should serve as solid proof.
Kyle Lewis is more than just the senior member of Moto XXX. He’s become something of a privateer icon, representing everything that fans love about the working class heroes of motocross. His propensity for beating factory riders and their priceless bikes to the first turn is one of the traits that earned him such status, and he did it again in Houston, claiming the $1500.00 Butterfinger Holeshot prize. After the start, Lewis battled factory riders for the entire 20 laps of the main event. Finishing 9th, he recorded his best finish of the season and now sits 11th in World Supercross points, 18th in the AMA series. Considering the fact that he missed a few rounds due to scary crashes, both Kyle and the team have a lot to be proud of.
Justin Buckelew gave the crew another reason to smile, putting his 2-stroke Honda CR250R into the main event once again. Though it’s been mentioned before, it bears repeating just how difficult it is for a privateer team to place two riders in the 250cc main event with all of the factory star power in the 2005 series. “J-Buck