Monday, April 22

Carmichael Wins His Ninth

Pacesupercross.com

Ricky Carmichael, who rides for Honda, cruised to his ninth 250cc victory this season at Texas Stadium in front of 43,789 fans. Honda-backed Travis Preston won his second 125cc Western Regional Supercross race this season and moved into the series points lead over Kawasaki's James Stewart, with one round of competition remaining.

Bud Light Yamaha's Jeremy McGrath won his fourth $1,500 POWERade Holeshot award in the 250cc class, with Carmichael and David Vuillemin in tow as the field left turn one. Carmichael, the reigning 250cc champion, moved by McGrath on lap four. Vuillemin moved into second, briefly challenging Carmichael. Carmichael held on for the win, Vuillemin was second, and McGrath third.

"I might not have been the fastest guy out there tonight, but I was for 20 laps," said Carmichael. "I think I wore those guys out tonight. I am always thinking out there."

Chase Reed, a privateer from Lone Grove, Okla., shot by the $1,000 POWERade Holeshot winner Chris Gosselaar, who is Preston's teammate, on lap one in 125cc competition. Reed's lead was short-lived, as he went down on the second lap. On the same lap, Stewart, who led the series coming into tonight's event, crashed. Preston, who trailed Stewart by 10-points, moved into the lead on lap three.

Late in the race, Gosselaar, who is Preston's teammate, made a pass on Travis Elliot, who rides for Plano Honda, for second place. Stewart worked his way through the pack and set up a pass for fourth place; however, he tangled with Ivan Tedesco and went down. Preston pulled away for the win, Gosselaar finished second and Elliot was third.

"I know that earlier this season everyone was talking about Stewart (James), but I didn't mind because it let me do my own thing," said Preston. "Now I have the points lead."

Tomorrow's race will air on ABC's Wide World of Sports Sunday April 21 at 3:00 p.m. EST/2:00 CST/Noon PST, marking the fourth race on the network in 2002. Both the 125cc and 250cc main events will be covered, with additional features built within the program.

KTM Junior Supercross Challenge
1. Tyler Heemsbergen, Colleyville, Texas, KTM
2. Conner Olson, Littleton, Colo., KTM
3. Sean Jordan, Vidor, Texas, KTM
4. Ayler Addy-Smith, Coweta, Okla., KTM
5. Corbin Weiland, Montgomery, Texas, KTM
6. Austin Cox, Fort Worth, Texas, KTM
7. Hanna Escoyne, Breaux Bridge, La., KTM
8. Dillon Dufree, Marrero, La., KTM
9. Dylan Cooke, Munday, Texas, KTM
10. Michael Ward, Albuquerque, N.M., KTM
11. Dalton Pipkin, Lubbock, Texas, KTM
12. Jack Humbard III, Mabelvale, Ark., KTM
13. Dylan Disney, Boulder, Colo., KTM
14. Vaughn Campbell, Sabine Pass, Texas, KTM
15. Cole Simon, Hobbs, N.M., KTM

125cc Western Regional Supercross Event Standings
1. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda
2. Christopher Gosselaar, Juniper Hills, Calif., Honda
3. Travis Elliot, Alvin, Texas, Honda
4. Matt Walker, McRae, Ga., Kawasaki
5. Eric Sorby, France, Kawasaki
6. Ivan Tedesco, Albuquerque, N.M., Yamaha
7. Josh Demuth, Fort Worth, Texas, Yamaha
8. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., Suzuki
9. David Pingree, Temecula, Calif., KTM
10. Keith Johnson, Albuquerque, N.M., Yamaha

125cc Western Regional Supercross Season Standings
1. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 130 pts
2. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 120 pts
3. Ivan Tedesco, Albuquerque, N.M., Yamaha, 115 pts
4. Christopher Gosselaar, Juniper Hills, Calif., Honda, 114 pts
5. Brock Sellards, Sherrodsville, Ohio, KTM, 91 pts
6. Travis Elliot, Alvin, Texas, Honda, 88 pts
7. Keith Johnson, Albuquerque, N.M., Yamaha, 80 pts
8. David Pingree, Temecula, Calif., KTM, 80 pts
9. Craig Decker, Palm Desert, Calif., Yamaha, 70 pts
10. Rodrig Thain, France, Yamaha, 64 pts

250cc EA SPORTS Supercross Event Standings
1. Ricky Carmichael, Havana, Fla., Honda
2. David Vuillemin, Corona, Calif., Yamaha
3. Jeremy McGrath, Encinitas, Calif., Yamaha
4. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Honda
5. Stephan Roncada, France, Kawasaki
6. Sebastien Tortelli, Dade City, Fla., Honda
7. Timmy Ferry, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha
8. Ernesto Fonseca, Costa Rica, Honda
9. Ezra Lusk, Acworth, Ga., Kawasaki
10. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha

250cc EA SPORTS Supercross Season Points Standings
1. Ricky Carmichael, Havana, Fla., Honda, 306 pts
2. David Vuillemin, Corona, Calif., Yamaha, 279 pts
3. Jeremy McGrath, Encinitas, Calif., Yamaha, 218 pts
4. Ezra Lusk, Acworth Ga., Kawasaki, 208 pts
5. Stephane Roncada, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki, 205 pts
6. Nathan Ramsey, Corona, Calif., Honda, 197 pts
7. Ernesto Fonseca, Costa Rica, Honda, 159 pts
8. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha, 149 pts
9. Heath Voss, Mica, Texas, Honda, 145 pts
10. Damon Huffman, Valencia, Calif., Suzuki, 133 pts