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AMA: Ward Wins Seattle, Larocco Leaps Forward

3 February 1999

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- American Suzuki rider Larry Ward cinched the Seattle round of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) U.S. Supercross Series, but a second-place finish propelled Team Factory Connection/Jack in the Box Honda rider Mike LaRocco into the series lead. LaRocco took his fourth podium finish of the season in Seattle, taking the series lead from Team Mazda Chapparal Yamaha s Jeremy McGrath.

LaRocco now holds 82 championship points and leads McGrath by a 3-point margin entering the Feb. 6 Supercross at Edison International Field in Anaheim, Calif.

Ward, whose most recent win prior to Seattle was at the 1998 Tampa Supercross, is currently sixth in the points. Factory Yamaha rider John Dowd took third-place last weekend in Seattle, and is ranked fifth in season points.

LaRocco -- the 1993 AMA 500cc Motocross Champion and 1994 AMA 250cc motocross title holder -- seems to have found a new rhythm of consistency over the past nine months. He completed last summers AMA 250cc Mazda Truck Motocross Nationals ranked in series third-place, the result of seven overall top-fives and two overall podium finishes. This season, hes landed on the podium at every 1999 Supercross race to date.

In the AMA Western Region 125cc Supercross series, Pro Circuit/Splitfire Kawasaki rider Nathan Ramsey took his second win in a row in Seattle. Yamaha of Troys Casey Johnson, already holding two wins and another podium finish, took second-place, maintaining his series lead with 94 points. Primal Impulse Suzuki rider Michael Brandes landed on the podium for the second week in a row, and is currently ranked third in season points.

For tickets to the Feb. 6, AMA U.S. Supercross series race at Edison International Field in Anaheim, Calif., call (213) 480-3232. The Feb 6.

Anaheim race will be broadcast at noon (eastern time) Feb 13 on ESPN2. Check local listings, as broadcast times may vary.