AMA: McGrath Leads Pack to Indy Supercross Event
10 February 1998
WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- "McGrath is back!" This phrase was repeated countless times last weekend as Jeremy McGrath took another win and established a lead that puts him squarely in front of the AMA Supercross Series points battle. All eyes will be on McGrath again next weekend, at the Feb. 14 round of the Thor/Parts Unlimited American Motorcyclist Association Supercross Series at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Ind. Tickets for the Indianapolis Supercross are available at (317) 239-5151. Having led the Supercross Series points race since round three in Tempe, Ariz., McGrath and the Chapparal Yamaha team have only gained momentum as the season has progressed. McGrath, of Menifee, Calif., won round four in Seattle, then ran away from the pack last weekend for another win in San Diego, Calf. McGrath's Chapparal teammate, Jimmy Button, of Scottsdale, Ariz., joined McGrath on the podium with a second-place finish in San Diego. Four-time Supercross Champion (1993-1996) McGrath has established a 27-point lead over his nearest competitor, Honda's Ezra Lusk of Bainbridge, Ga. The lead is all the sweeter for the former champion after his disappointing season last year, when he switched teams just before the series start. Fans are convinced that this year, Mr. Nac Nac is on top of his game, and the results back that up. With five of 16 season rounds complete, a win at round six in Indianapolis would go a long way toward strengthening McGrath's bid for the 1998 title. While last year's Indianapolis round was won by 1997 Supercross Champion Jeff Emig, McGrath won at the RCA Dome the prior four years in a row. Emig, of Riverside Calif., is currently ranked third in season points and trails series second-place Ezra Lusk by seven points. The first race of the 1998 AMA 125cc Eastern Region Supercross Series will provide Indianapolis fans additional excitement as 1997 125cc Eastern Region Champion Tim Ferry starts his title defense. Ferry, of Largo, Fla., may have his hands full with 1997 125cc National Motocross Champion Ricky Carmichael. Carmichael, of Havana Fla., was ranked third in the 1997 125cc Eastern Region Supercross Series and will be gunning for his first 125cc Supercross championship. PAST WINNERS RCA DOME Indianapolis, IN 250cc Supercross Date Winner, Hometown Machine February 15, 1997 Jeff Emig, Riverside, CA Kawasaki March 30, 1996 Jeremy McGrath, Menifee, CA Honda March 18, 1995 Jeremy McGrath, Murietta, CA Honda March 19, 1994 Jeremy McGrath, Murietta, CA Honda April 24, 1993 Jeremy McGrath, Murietta, CA Honda March 21, 1992 Jeff Stanton, Sherwood, MI Honda 125cc Supercross Date Winner, Hometown Machine February 15, 1997 John Dowd, Chicopee, MA Yamaha March 30, 1996 Mickael Pichon, France Kawasaki March 18, 1995 Mickael Pichon, France Kawasaki March 19, 1994 Ezra Lusk, Bainbridge, GA Suzuki April 24, 1993 Doug Henry, Oxford, CT Honda March 21, 1992 Jimmy Button, Corning, NY Yamaha -30-