Rested and ready, GEICO Powersports Honda riders look to Houston race

HOUSTON (April 7) -- After several weekends in a row of a riding at a different stadium in a different city on a different Saturday, sticking close to home for a weekend was a little strange for GEICO Powersports Honda rider Justin Barcia.

The Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series took the Easter weekend off before resuming its breakneck-paced season April 10 at Houston's Reliant Stadium. Barcia, who currently sits third in the Supercross Lites East standings and is considered a strong contender for the 2010title, took full advantage of the downtime.

"It felt really weird, but it was an amazing weekend off," Barcia said. "It felt odd not racing, but I went to the beach and hung out with some friends. I had a blast doing some fishing, wakeboarding, surfing and stuff like that. It was nice to just relax.

"But I came home Monday and it was back to work. The next few weekends will tell the story of the season and I want to be completely prepared."

Barcia trails Lites East Christophe Pourcel by 32 points with just two races left in the East season. He said he goal for the final few events are pretty straightforward.

"The main goal is to go out there and win every weekend," Barcia said. "If I do that and win the championship too then great. Right now the focus is on going out there and winning Houston because that's the next race."

Barcia just missed getting on the podium at the last event in Jacksonville, Fla., finishing fourth overall. His GEICO Powersports Honda Lites East teammate Brett Metcalfe tied for his best finish of the season with a third-place result in Jacksonville.

Metcalfe currently sits fourth in the season standings, 39 points back of the leader.

GEICO Powersports Honda Supercross star rider Kevin Windham is expecting to have a larger than average fan contingent at Reliant Stadium this weekend, because Houston is the closest race to his Mississippi home base. The popular pro has more than 200 friends and family members making the trek over.

Windham has been on the doorstep of the podium during the last handful of races. He's finished in the top seven in all of the last four races and at least that well in six of the last seven events.

Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series racing from Reliant Stadium in Houston begins at 7 p.m. CDT with opening ceremonies.