2009 Daytona AMA-SX Results

As he had in most races this season, the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider fell behind early in the race and had to work his way back up to the front to reach the podium.

The race began with a crash in the first turn that took down several riders including Reeds main championship rival, James Stewart of San Manuel Yamaha.

Competing in his home race, Stewart fell off braking into the tight first turn of the Ricky Carmichael-designed Daytona track. The crash dropped Stewart to dead last while several other riders including Reed were delayed in the mess.

I was somewhat caught up in the first turn as well. I just put my head down and James (Stewart) just came in there and grabbed a handful of front brake and washed out, says Reed. I was pretty much just trying to avoid the carnage.

Reeds teammate Mike Alessi emerged with the holeshot and led for the first two laps before being passed by J-Law Racings Jason Lawrence on lap three.

Meanwhile, Reed began to make his way through the front after finishing lap one in eighth position. Reed overtook Alessi on lap ten and took the lead on lap 17. Reed would hold on to the lead to deny Lawrence with the win in his debut.

I wouldve been happy with anything in the top ten; honestly just to get around the track 20 times at the level of fitness Im at right now is good, says Lawrence.

The win gave Reed an 11-point lead over Stewart in the season standings and made up for a disappointing 2008 race at Daytona that saw Reeds bike stall while leading by over 30 seconds on the final lap.

Its tough to make up for what happened last year but that walk back to the pits last year was long and this walk will definitely be much more enjoyable, says Reed.

Lawrence finished 5.67 seconds behind for second place while Honda Red Bull Racings David Millsaps completed the podium in third. Stewart recovered from his first corner crash to finish seventh.