Washougal: Powersports Honda preview

Trey Canard goes for three-in-a-row in Washougal

WASHOUGAL, Wash. (July 22) -- GEICO Powersports Honda 250cc rider Trey Canard will try to make it three straight wins this Saturday at the Washougal National.

"The last couple of weeks have gone great," Canard said. "I can't complain about things at all. Hopefully I'll be able to continue this weekend and have a little momentum. I'll show up ready and do what I can."

Canard has podium finishes in each of the last three races, including the two straight victories in Red Bud and Spring Creek and a runner-up result in Thunder Valley. He's third in the standings, just 12 points out of second place.

"Things have just kind of clicked," Canard said. "There's been some good racing and my attitude has been a lot better and starts have been good. The whole package has gotten better. I'm thankful for that and I'm looking forward to giving Washougal my best shot."

All four of GEICO Powersports Honda's 250 riders are currently ranked in the top 10 of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship standings. Justin Barcia is sixth in points (eight markers outside the top five), Blake Wharton is seventh and rookie Eli Tomac is eighth.

On the 450cc side, Brett Metcalfe is coming off a ninth-place combined finish last time out and is among the field trying to break a six-race winning streak by Ryan Dungey.

"We're doing some things with the bike and the motor so I can have better starts," Metcalfe said. "That's been an area I've really concentrated on and the results are pretty obvious. When you have a good start, you generally finish well. If you're back in the pack you have to work very hard just to get up near the front where you can even think about making a move."

Metcalfe said it's nice to be on the western side of the Rockies as well.

"It's great to be on the west coast this weekend," Metcalfe said. "It allowed (my wife) Sheena and I to swing by the house for a few days and sleep in our own bed, which is always nice, especially in the middle of the season."

Metcalfe is fourth in the points just two in back of Ben Townley for third.

GEICO Powersports Honda superstar Kevin Windham continues his summer return riding for the Red Bull Honda team. In his first outdoor event in last week, Windham rode to moto finishes of fifth and fourth place for a fourth-place finish overall.

Opening ceremonies for the event begin at 12:30 p.m. PDT on Saturday from Washougal MX Park. The 450 class will be shown live at 7 p.m. EDT on SPEED on Saturday, the 250s will be shown same-day-tape an hour later, also on SPEED.

-source: powersports honda