Carmichael Finishes 2nd In Spectacular AMA Race

AMA / EA Sports Supercross Series Round 6: RCA Dome, Indianapolis, IN,
Saturday, February 9, 2002

Honda Racing's Ricky Carmichael, in some of this years most exciting
racing, fought hard to finish in 2nd place behind Indianapolis 250cc winner
David Vuillemin.

Carmichael jetted out of the gate and was just inside the top five as the
front of the pack roared through the first turn. Carmichael began working
on the field and by the half way point of the 20-lap race, found himself in
1st place. Vuillemin had also clawed his way up through the pack and began
chasing after Carmichael. As the white flag came out, indicating one lap
remaining, Vuillemin cut inside RC and made a spectacular pass to claim the
win. Round 6 marks Carmichael's third consecutive podium finish.

"Vuillemin rode a great race tonight," said Carmichael. "He's a real clean
rider and I feel comfortable racing with him. He was on my rear fender for
most of the 20-laps and I thought I could hold him off for the win. I'll
just have to put the hammer down next week in Minneapolis!"

Honda Racing's Nathan Ramsey put in a solid performance aboard his factory
CRF450R. "N8-Dawg" worked his way from a mid pack start to finish just
ahead of Mike LaRocco for a 4th place position.

"I am getting close," said Ramsey. "I want to get on that podium soon and
tonight was one step closer. I know I have the speed and my CRF450R is
working awesome out there on the track. I want that podium bad."

Amsoil / Dr. Marten / Journeys / Honda Racing's Mike LaRocco finished
strong with a 5th place position for the night. "Rock" is a home town hero
from nearby South Bend, Indiana, and had a huge crowd of LaRocco fans
cheering him on throughout the night's program.

Honda Racing's Ernesto Fonseca had a tough night in Indy. The popular Costa
Rican native crashed in his heat race and in the main event but was unhurt
and will be ready for Round 7 in Minneapolis next week.

"Tonight just wasn't my night," said Fonseca. "At times I felt really solid
out there on the track, and some laps I just felt a little off rhythm. In
the main event I was right up front with the leaders and felt like I could
put on a charge, but then made a small error after the rhythm section and
crashed. I'll regroup and focus on Minneapolis next week."

Amsoil / Dr. Marten / Journeys / Honda Racing's Michael Byrne competed in
Round 1 of the EA Sports 125cc East Coast Supercross Series tonight. In the
main event Byrne was one of the fastest riders on the track until he came
up short over a triple jump and crashed hard. Byrne was taken to the
hospital for further observation. No additional information is available at
this time.

Honda Racing's Sebastien Tortelli continues to mend his shoulder and should
return to race action sometime this month.


AMA/EA Sports Supercross, Round 6, 125-class, Top 5 Overall Finishers

1. Chad Reed - Yamaha
2. Mike Brown - Kawasaki
3. Buddy Antunez - Suzuki
4. Larry Ward - Yamaha
5. John Dowd - KTM

AMA/EA Sports Supercross, 125-class Point Standings, Top 5 Riders

1. Chad Reed - Yamaha - 25
2. Mike Brown - Kawasaki -22
3. Buddy Antunez - Suzuki -20
4. Larry Ward - Yamaha - 18
5. John Dowd - KTM -16

AMA/EA Sports Supercross, Round 6, 250-class, Top 5 Overall Finishers

1. David Vuillemin - Yamaha
2. Ricky Carmichael - Honda
3. Stephane Roncada - Kawasaki
4. Nathan Ramsey - Honda
5. Mike LaRocco - Honda
8. Heath Voss
18. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda

AMA/EA Sports Supercross, 250-class Point Standings, Top 5 Riders

1. David Vuillemin - Yamaha - 137
2. Mike LaRocco - Honda - 119
3. Ricky Carmichael - Honda - 109
4. Travis Pastrana - Suzuki - 93
5. Nathan Ramsey - Honda - 83, tie Ezra Lusk - Kawasaki - 83
13. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda - 49


Upcoming Rounds:

February 15, Minneapolis, MN
February 22, Atlanta, GA