AMA: LaRocco finishes on podium at Anaheim
17 January 2000
2000 AMA/EA Sports Supercross Series, Round 2: Edison International Field Anaheim, California, January 15, 2000 Round two of the 2000 AMA/EA Sports Supercross Series looked almost like a replay of round one. It took place again at Edison International Field in Anaheim, California (albeit on a very different track layout); it played before another sell-out crowd of 45,050; and last year's winner, Honda rider Ezra Lusk, was again absent from the start line due to injuries suffered last week. Behind winner Jeremy McGrath and Frenchman David Vuillemin, Honda-supported Mike LaRocco took a hard-fought third place, thus maintaining second in series points. Defending World Supercross Champion Vuillemin got the holeshot in the 20-lap main to collect the $1000 bonus from Yahoosports.com and held McGrath off for three laps. Once McGrath went by, the American champ seemed to tow Vuillemin along as they steadily moved away from the rest of the field. Honda Red Rider Kevin Windham injured his wrist in practice, but it was strong enough for him to dominate his six-lap heat race. In the main, Windham completed the first lap in fourth place while LaRocco circulated in seventh. "I did exactly what I didn't need to do," LaRocco said. "I fought through traffic that whole race, except for the last two laps. I've just got to get those starts down." LaRocco dueled with Jimmy Button until Button stalled his bike. That put "LaRocket" within striking distance of Windham, who was feeling the effects of his injured wrist. Unlike in the shorter heat race, Windham couldn't hold LaRocco at bay, and he eventually finished eighth. Teammate Sebastien Tortelli finished ninth following an amazing comeback after going down in the first turn and completing the first lap in 19th place. After LaRocco eased past Windham for sixth on lap nine, he needed only a lap to get around Timmy Ferry, but fourth place wasn't good enough for LaRocco, especially after his second place podium finish the week before. However, it took quite a bit longer for LaRocco to close the gap, then find a way around Carmichael, who clung stubbornly onto third place. Finally, on lap 16, LaRocco found a way around Carmichael to secure his second podium placing in as many weeks. McGrath and Vuillemin, however, had too much of a head start for LaRocco to catch up, and he had to settle for third place and a solid second in series points. Anaheim Supercross 250 Main, top-5 finishers 1. Jeremy McGrath-Yamaha 2. David Vuillemin-Yamaha 3. Mike LaRocco-Honda 4. Ricky Carmichael-Kawasaki 5. Timmy Ferry-Yamaha Supercross 250-class point standings, top-5 riders 1. Jeremy McGrath-Yamaha-50 points 2. Mike LaRocco-Honda-42 points 3. David Vuillemin-Yamaha-38 points 4. Kevin Windham-Honda-33 points 5. Ricky Carmichael-Kawasaki-31 points Upcoming rounds: Round 3-Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California, January 22 Round 4-Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix, Arizona, January 29 Round 5-Houston Astrodome, Houston, Texas, February 5
