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Jason Anderson wins Supercross opener in Anaheim

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Riders in the 450SX heat 1 qualifying round power out of the starting gate during their race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Jason Anderson, of Rio Rancho, NM, celebrates winning the 450SX Main Event of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2016

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Riders in the 450SX heat 2 crash on the first turn during the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Eli Tomac, left, who took first in the heat, and Dean Wilson soar over a jump on his way to taking first place in the 450SX heat 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Chad Bettencourt, 5, of Tulare, Ca., wears a beanie helmet while watching riders being introduced at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Trey Canard soars over a jump on his way to a first place finish in the 450SX heat 2 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Former 450cc class Monster Energy Supercross champion and AMA 450 Motocross Champion James Stewart, Jr. powers into a turn on his way to a third place finish in a qualifying round on Jan. 9.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Fans cheer during the rider introduction of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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2015 450cc class Monster Energy Supercross champion and AMA 450 Motocross Champion Ryan Dungey powers into a turn in the 450SX heat 2 of the race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Fireworks kick off the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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James Stewart, Jr. powers into a turn on his way to a third place finish in the 450SX heat 2 qualifying round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
By Associated Press
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Jason Anderson won the season-opening AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Saturday night for his first career 450SX victory.

The Husqvarna rider took the lead from Honda’s Cole Seely with seven laps left in the 20-lap race. The victory also was Husqvarna’s first in 450SX.

Jason Anderson, of Rio Rancho, NM, celebrates winning the 450SX Main Event of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2016

Jason Anderson, of Rio Rancho, NM, celebrates winning the 450SX Main Event of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2016

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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“Honestly, I just felt great out there tonight,” said Anderson, from Rio Rancho, New Mexico. “I was coming through the pack and just made it happen. You work hard to do this as a kid.”

Defending series champion Ryan Dungey of KTM rallied to finish second. Seely was third, followed by Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac, Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, Yamaha’s Chad Reed and Honda’s Trey Canard.

Former 450cc class Monster Energy Supercross champion and AMA 450 Motocross Champion James Stewart, Jr. powers into a turn on his way to a third place finish in a qualifying round on Jan. 9.

Former 450cc class Monster Energy Supercross champion and AMA 450 Motocross Champion James Stewart, Jr. powers into a turn on his way to a third place finish in a qualifying round on Jan. 9.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Two-time series champion James Stewart of Suzuki crashed in the opening laps after contact with Dungey to bring out a red flag. Dungey went down soon after the restart, but quickly got back into the race.

“I got off to a good start on the restart, but crashed,” Dungey said. “I am glad to have rebounded and to have a solid finish.”

Eli Tomac, left, who took first in the heat, and Dean Wilson soar over a jump on his way to taking first place in the 450SX heat 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

Eli Tomac, left, who took first in the heat, and Dean Wilson soar over a jump on his way to taking first place in the 450SX heat 1 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Stewart finished 22nd.

Yamaha’s Cooper Webb won the Western Regional 250SK Class race, taking the lead from KTM’s Jessy Nelson with five laps left. Webb won the Western Regional season title last year.

Riders in the 450SX heat 2 crash on the first turn during the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

Riders in the 450SX heat 2 crash on the first turn during the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Angel Stadium on Jan. 9.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“It’s awesome to start the season like this,” Webb said. “I don’t like to lose, so this really makes tonight great. I was patient and pulled it off. I’m look forward to next weekend in San Diego.”

Husqvarna’s Zach Osborne was third.

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