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Emig Hoping to Find a Spark at Daytona SupercrossWESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Kawasaki's superstar rider Jeff Emig is having what by his standards is a sub-par season so far in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Supercross Series. Coming into this Saturday's Daytona Supercross Emig, the 27-year-old defending champ, has no wins in eight races and is ranked sixth in the series standings. The Supercross racing fraternity have watched with amazement the incredible resurrection of "Super Mac", four-time AMA Supercross champ Jeremy McGrath. Emig took full advantage of the off season suffered by McGrath last year and won five races, including Daytona, en route to the his first AMA Supercross title. But now the tables have turned and Emig is going to have to start winning early and often if he is to have any chance of working his way back into contention to defend his title. Winning Daytona is a goal all Supercross riders share and even though McGrath looks to be the odds-on favorite this Saturday, a number of riders have shown the speed and endurance that it takes to win one of the most grueling races in the series, among them is Emig. In Emig's six appearances at the Daytona Supercross he has never finished outside the top ten and has finished in the top five three times. Greg Albertyn was runner-up to Emig at Daytona last year. The South African seems to enjoy the long Daytona Supercross layout. Albertyn's Suzuki teammate Larry Ward has momentum on his side. Ward came through with a victory last weekend in Tampa. It was the South Carolina veteran's first Supercross victory in eight years. Ward is an 11-year veteran of AMA Supercross, making him one of the most experienced riders on the circuit. Another veteran looking for his first Daytona victory is Mike LaRocco. The 27-year-old Hoosier is having one of his best Supercross seasons in years and is ranked fifth coming into the weekend's event. Yamaha riders Jimmy Button and Kevin Windham, along with Honda's Ezra Lusk, are the current up and coming young guns in the series and could also be factors at Daytona. Windham comes into Daytona ranked second to McGrath. Button won the 125cc race at Daytona in 1994. The 125cc Eastern Region Supercross Series can be summed up in two words: Ricky Carmichael. The 18-year-old former AMA Rookie of the Year from Havana, Fla., has dominated the 125cc class in the east with three wins in three races. Carmichael should feel right at home racing his Kawasaki on the sand-filled dirt of the Daytona Supercross track since he grew up racing on the sandy motocross tracks of Florida. Carmichael's toughest competition should come from Oklahoma rider Robbie Reynard who stands second in the 125cc standings.
PAST WINNERS - DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
Date Winner, Hometown Machine March 8, 1997 Jeff Emig, Riverside, CA Kawasaki March 9, 1996 Jeremy McGrath, Menifee, CA Honda March 11, 1995 Mike Kiedrowski, Canyon Country, CA Kawasaki March 12, 1994 Mike Kiedrowski, Canyon Country, CA Kawasaki March 6, 1993 Mike Kiedrowski, Canyon Country, CA Kawasaki March 7, 1992 Jeff Stanton, Sherwood, MI Honda March 9, 1991 Jeff Stanton, Sherwood, MI Honda March 10, 1990 Jeff Stanton, Sherwood, MI Honda March 11, 1989 Jeff Stanton, Sherwood, MI Honda March 5, 1988 Rick Johnson, El Cajon, CA Honda March 7, 1987 Rick Ryan, Felton, CA Honda March 8, 1986 Rick Johnson, El Cajon, CA Honda March 9, 1985 Bob Hannah, Carson City, NV Honda March 10 (a), 1984 David Bailey, Axton, VA Honda March 12, 1983 Bob Hannah, Carson City, NV Honda March 6, 1982 Darrell Shultz, Trinidad, CA Honda March 7, 1981 Darrell Shultz, Trinidad, CA Suzuki March 8, 1980 Rex Staten, Fontana, CA Yamaha March 10, 1979 Jim Weinert, Laguna Beach, CA Kawasaki March 11, 1978 Marty Tripes, Santee, CA Honda March 12, 1977 Bob Hannah, Whittier, CA Yamaha March 6, 1976 Tony DiStefano, Morrisville, PA Suzuki March 8 (b), 1975 Steve Stackable, Austin, TX Maico March 8, 1975 Jim Ellis, Cobalt, CT Can-Am March 9, 1974 Pierre Karsmakers, Holland Yamaha March 10 (b), 1973 Pierre Karsmakers, Holland Yamaha March 10 (d), 1973 Bob Grossi, Santa Cruz, CA Husqvarna March 11(d), 1972 Jim Weinert, Middletown, NY Yamaha March 11(b), 1972 Mark Blackwell, Mission Viejo, CA Husqvarna March 9 (b), 1974 Roger DeCoster, Belgium Suzuki
a = non points-paying events
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