Team Honda's Ricky Carmichael keeps it perfect at Red Bud, and Josh Grant takes his first podium in the 125 championship.

Honda Red Rider Weekend Report
July 4, 2004
AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship
Round 5: Red Bud Track n Trail, Buchanan, MI

Team Honda's Ricky Carmichael keeps it perfect at Red Bud, and Josh Grant
takes his first podium in the 125 championship

Round five of the AMA motocross championship kicked off the Nation's
birthday at Red Bud's Track 'n' Trail in Buchanan, Michigan. Under cloudy
skies, with the humid air feeling like a warm heavy blanket, Team Honda's
Ricky Carmichael once again re-wrote the history books by becoming the
first rider in Red Bud history to consecutively win four straight 250
events.

In the first 250 race of the weekend, Carmichael took his CRF450R machine
into the first turn to claim the holeshot, and smoothly chiseled his way
through one of the toughest courses on the circuit. "The track is really,
really rough," said Carmichael. But not rough enough to disrupt his perfect
season; Carmichael took the moto with a 39.883 second margin over second
place Chad Reed. Amsoil/Chaparral Honda teammates Mike LaRocco and Kevin
Windham tangled handlebars off the line, leaving both riders with less than
stellar starts. K-Dub was able to charge through the field for an inspired
third place despite the bad start. "It's frustrating because Ricky is
checking out of these races," said Windham. "He's getting away early and we
just can't run him down. I'm going to have to work on coming ready to race
off the gate to have a chance to run with him."

Team Honda's Ernesto Fonseca followed Carmichael off the line, but was
unable to hold the position and would end up taking a tenth place in the
first moto. LaRocco, making his debut in the AMA Outdoor Nationals, worked
his way up to a ninth place finish after the rough start. "I'd have to say
this is about as least prepared as I've ever been for a national," admitted
LaRocco. "I wasn't expecting great results and I'm just happy to get out of
here in one piece."

In the second moto, Carmichael again grabbed the holeshot and set the pace
for the field.  On lap four, Windham took over second from Chad Reed and
was able to maintain the position for second overall for the day. Fonseca
and LaRocco both got good starts and rode steady races; Fonseca would
finish fifth in the second moto for fifth overall, and LaRocco took sixth
in moto two for sixth overall.

After winning his second moto of the day and tenth for the year, RC became
the only rider in Red Bud history to win four consecutive 250 nationals.
"Kevin and Chad we're running really well at the beginning of the race,"
said Carmichael. "I was working for it. I just tried to keep that pace
alive the whole time. I'm just happy to be up here after the time off. I
love what I do, and the CRF450R is really, really good. It makes riding
fun; you don't have to push it so much. I just have a good routine going,
and these guys keep me motivated."

In 125 action, two Amsoil/Chaparral rookies made their mark; Ryan Mills and
Josh Grant battled for the lead in the second moto until Mike Brown got
past for the win. Grant held his composure and took his CRF250R to his
first professional podium, taking second in the moto and third overall for
the day. "My bike was running good," said Grant. "My second moto start was
a lot better, and made it easier to stay in the front."

AMA 250 Overall Results
1. Ricky Carmichael-Honda (1,1)
2. Kevin Windham-Honda (3,2)
3. Chad Reed-Yamaha (2,3)
4. David Vuillemin-Yamaha (5,4)
5. Ernesto Fonseca-Honda (10,5)
6. Mike LaRocco-Honda (9,6)

AMA 250 Points
1. Ricky Carmichael-Honda-250
2. Chad Reed-Yamaha-210
3. Kevin Windham-Honda-200
4. David Vuillemin-Yamaha-165
5. Michael Byrne-Kawasaki-127
6. Ernesto Fonseca-Honda-105

AMA 125 Overall Results
1. Mike Brown-Yamaha (2,1)
2. Dave Millsaps-Suzuki (4,4)
3. Josh Grant-Honda (8,2)
4. Nathan Ramsey-Honda (5,5)
5. Broc Hepler-Suzuki (12,3)

AMA 125 Points
1. James Stewart-Kawasaki-225
2. Mike Brown-Yamaha-194
3. Broc Hepler-Suzuki-162
4. Nathan Ramsey-Honda-132
5. Ivan Tedesco-Kawaski-112
7.  Josh Grant-Honda-102