After 15 rounds of AMA Supercross action, Chad Reed comes into this Saturday's Las Vegas season finale with a 12-point lead over Kevin Windham.
Reed, who has won 10 rounds so far this year, thus only needs to finish eighth or better at the Sam Boyd Stadium to clinch his first premier class AMA Supercross title, but the Yamaha rider has already had to suffer the anguish of a 25-point penalty for illegal fuel use which effectively ended his hopes of wrapping up the title last weekend in Salt Lake City.
Nevertheless, the odds are in the Aussie's favor considering he has finished no worse than third all season and despite his recent disappointment is approaching the season finale with a philosophical approach.
"It's an unfortunate thing (the fuel penalty), but I think it will make it exciting for Las Vegas," said Reed sportingly. "Hopefully I can pull it together and win the championship. I was definitely hoping to wrap it up in Salt Lake City and then come to Las Vegas and relax and have a good time. Now I have to go out there and concentrate and put in 20 good laps."
Meanwhile, Honda rider Windham seemed rejuvenated after realising the title chase would go the final round. He dominated last weekend's race in Salt Lake City, winning by a comfortable margin, but is realistic about his shot at the title.
"I don't like to bank on bad luck," stated Kevin. "We've seen Chad fall in the first turn and come back to third. At this point he could probably finish in the top five even with his goggles completely blacked out. I can just do the best I can. It's outside of my hands. It's not my championship to win, it's really his to lose."
