Chad Reeds title run down to the wire

Just one main event final is all that separates Chad Reed from his second AMA/World Supercross title

 Just one main event final is all that separates Chad Reed from his second AMA/World Supercross title.

The series’ undeniable pacesetter has led from the moment the season started, and heads to Las Vegas this weekend with a valuable 10-point buffer over second place. While its been an incredibly successful season for the resurgent Australian who has won 8 finals to date, it has also been unbelieveably challenging. The 26-year-old has had victory snatched from him on a number of outings, but none have come close to what seemed to be a season-ending practice crash just over a fortnight ago.

Nursing a broken shoulder and some painful flesh wounds, Reed scored what could be a crucial nine points, just hours after being released from the emergency room at the Detroit round, and bounced back to score two consecutive second place finishes, amassing the necessary points to keep Kevin Windham at bay. In the face of adversity, Reed has fought back with incredible grit, and his toughness will be tested one final time at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas this weekend. Though he doesn’t need to win to secure the 2008 title, backing off is something that does not come naturally to Reed.

"It’s all or nothing this weekend," said Reed. "I would have liked to have built myself an unbeatable lead heading into the final at Las Vegas but it hasn’t happened that way. It’s been a very testing few weeks, and a tough season, and it all comes down to Saturday night’s race."

"I’ve got what it takes, I can win this, and I’m pumped. Windham has a lot of work in front of him. I’m still very sore but the pain just becomes a blur when a championship is at stake, I’ve worked too hard to miss out now."

If Windham wins, Reed will need to finish within the top 6 places to win the Monster Energy AMA Supercross crown. The pairing will be tied on points if the Aussie crosses the line in sixth, but his tally of race wins will hand him the crucial advantage.

AMA 2008 Supercross Class Championship Standings

1. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Aust, Yamaha, 340
2.Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 330
3.Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 262
4.Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 261
5.ݬJoshua Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 210
6.Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 206
7.ݬNathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 173
8.David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 158
9.Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., KTM, 144
10.Paul Carpenter, Ithaca, N.Y., Honda, 136