Carmichael Wins In Vegas

AMA / EA Sports Supercross Series Round 16: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Saturday, May 4, 2002

Honda-supported Kyle Lewis aboard his CRF450R grabbed the holeshot in the
250cc main, and was quickly passed by Honda Racing's Ricky Carmichael. Once
in the lead, Carmichael would pull away from the rest of the competition to
claim his eleventh 250cc Supercross win of the year. Carmichael the
2001/2002 EA Sports 250cc Supercross champion, clinched the title last week
at Salt Lake City.


"I wanted to win tonight," said Carmichael. "Many people were thinking that
now that I have the title that I would just want to cruise, but that's not
me. I get paid to win. It has been a rewarding year for me and for Honda."


Honda Racing's Nathan Ramsey rode a fantastic race on his CRF450R to claim
fourth for the night. Ramsey battled with fellow teammate Ernesto Fonseca
for a few laps and then once around Fonseca, began to close the gap on
third place David Vuillemin.


"I could see David," said Ramsey. "I made a few mistakes which cost me to
lose some time on him, but I never lost visual contact with him. I really
wanted that podium position."


Honda Racing's Ernesto Fonseca finished 6th in the 250cc main event just
behind Jeremy McGrath in 6th.


Honda Racing's Sebastien Tortelli crashed out of the 250cc main event but
was uninjured.


"I kept thinking about the outdoor motocross championship out there, said
Tortelli. "I'm not in the hunt for Supercross, and I just didn't want to
jeopardize my chances of taking home the outdoor title. That is my focus at
this point."


Amsoil / Dr. Marten / Journeys / Honda Racing's Mike LaRocco was on hand to
spectate the final round of Supercross and is gearing up for the outdoor
motocross championship. The hard charging Indiana native, was injured
earlier in the year and is looking forward to the outdoor season.





In the 125 class, it was the annual Dave Coombs Sr. 125 East/West
Shoot-out. No points for the series, just bragging rights. It combined
riders from both East and West series for the only time during 2002 EA
Sports Supercross season.


Amsoil / Dr. Marten / Journeys / Honda Racing's Chris Gosselaar rode a
great race finishing a hard fought third place while teammate, 125cc West
Coast Supercross champion Travis Preston, finished in sixth place for the
night. James Stewart took the overall win.





   AMA/EA Sports Supercross, 125 East/West Coast Shootout:


   1. James Stewart - Kawasaki


   2. Chad Reed - Yamaha


   3. Chris Gosselaar - Honda


   6. Travis Preston - Honda





   AMA/EA Sports Supercross, 250-class Overall Finishers:


   1. Ricky Carmichael - Honda


   2. Ezra Lusk - Kawasaki


   3. David Vuillemin - Yamaha


   4. Nathan Ramsey - Honda


   5. Jeremy McGrath - Yamaha


   6. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda





   AMA/EA Sports Supercross, 250-class Point Standings:


   1. Ricky Carmichael - Honda - 356


   2. David Vuillemin - Yamaha - 321


   3. Jeremy McGrath - Yamaha - 250


   4. Ezra Lusk - Kawasaki - 245


   5. Stephane Roncada - Kawasaki - 232


   6. Nathan Ramsey - Honda - 229


   7. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda -192


   10. Heath Voss - Honda - 148


   16. Sebastien Tortelli - Honda - 107





   AMA/Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship


   Round 1: San Bernardino, CA, Sunday, May 11