ARLINGTON -- Blake Wharton is back in Texas. His comfort zone.
Maybe after the weekend, he can say the same about his place in Monster Energy AMA Supercross.The Pilot Point native gets to start his season on Saturday as the off-road motorcycle series begins the Eastern portion of the Lites schedule with a stop at Cowboys Stadium.He was fourth in the Lites division in Arlington last year and went on to finish third in the season standings."I like spending time in Texas because that's where I'm from, where I was raised," he said Thursday before a practice run on the course for the benefit of some fans and cameras. "You can kind of freshen up a little bit before the season starts. Once the season starts, it can be a long season."Wharton might be entering this season, his fifth in Supercross, at his freshest and most confident.Two years ago, he underwent surgery on both shoulders to repair injuries that, unknown to him, had been hampering him for three years.Last year, he joined a new team and manufacturer, Suzuki, so it was a learning season for him."This year is going to be a good year," he said. "I've raced many times before, other seasons and such. This is definitely the fastest I've been. You always want to start off good, have good confidence going in. At the same time, the team has made improvements from last year. We've had more time with the bikes. There are good guys in-house. This is my second year with Monster Energy Racing, and the second year is usually always better."There's more chemistry working with the team. And it's always been good."The Western portion of the Lites series resumes after the next six races, all East stops. Ken Roczen leads the West division, with Eli Tomac in second.Davi Millsaps leads the Supercross Division after a win last week in San Diego."This is actually better than what we had pictured," Millsaps said. "We came into the season really not knowing what to expect. To walk away with a win and everything like that, that's pretty cool. It's an accomplishment for everyone. It's pushing me to work harder and harder."Ryan Villopoto won last year's Supercross race in Arlington. He is third in the points standings this year. Ryan Dungey is second.Carlos Mendez, 817-390-7760cmendez@star-telegram.com
AMA Monster Energy Supercross
Saturday, Cowboys Stadium
Practice and qualifying,
12:30 p.m.
Main event, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$55
Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
