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Carmichael and Fonseca take wins in Round 4 of AMA Supercross Series
Phoenix, Ariz. - Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's Ricky Carmichael rode in
dominate fashion to take home his second 250cc win at Round 4 of the 2001 season of EA SPORTS Supercross Presented by Speed Stick at Phoenix's Bank One Ballpark.
Team Yamaha of Troy/Fox rider Ernesto Fonseca won his third 125cc Western Regional Supercross.
Team Honda/Universal Studio's Ezra Lusk (Bainbridge, Ga.) blasted off to a great start and earned the $1,000 SFX Holeshot Award in the 250cc Main Event. The lead didn't last long as Carmichael (Havana, Fla.) made the pass on Lusk after the whoops. Back in the pack, Team Mazda Yamaha's Jeremy McGrath struggled to shift his way out of a ninth-place start position. It was apparent that Carmichael's domination parade would only get stronger as he pulled a four-second lead on the field by lap three and extended it to nine seconds on lap 15. McGrath made due with his lackluster start and worked his way into second place with only five laps left of the 20-lap event. Carmichael couldn't have ridden a more perfect race as he earned the victory. McGrath took home second and Team Amsoil/Dr. Martens/Competition Accessories/Honda's Mike LaRocco was third.
The official 250cc points standings are: McGrath and Carmichael 92 points (tied for first), LaRocco 78 points, and Lusk 67 points.
The official 125cc Western Regional Supercross standings are: Fonseca 83 points, Buckelew 77 points, and Smith 70 points.
"I got by Yogi (Ezra Lusk) and checked out," said Carmichael. "I felt good all night on this track. The track called for a good start and that is what I did. I don't really like the series being this close, so I will do what I have to spread out the lead."
"Obviously you can't start in ninth place and let Ricky (Carmichael) get away," said McGrath. "I made some mistakes out there and fell asleep at the gate."
The start to the 125cc Main Event not only ended Team Yamaha of Troy Fox rider Justin Buckelew's three race holeshot string to an end; it destroyed all hopes of winning the main event as the Albuquerque, N.M. native crashed hard and started in last. With the $500 SFX Holeshot Award and early lead going to privateer Jason McCormick, Ernesto Fonseca took advantage of Buckelew's misfortune. On lap six, Fonseca moved into the lead. Red Bull/KTM's Grant Langston, who is the 125cc world champion, pressured Fonseca but to no avail. Fonseca captured his third win on the season and moved into the points lead. Second place went to Langston and third to Danny Smith of Team Suzuki's 125cc support team.
"Justin (Buckelew) came into that first turn a little too hot," said
Fonseca. "I'm glad I came out on top of all of that. This is a great feeling being back on top, but the season isn't over."
250 Main results:
1) Ricky Carmichael
2) Jeremy McGrath
3) Mike LaRocco
4) Ezra Lusk
5) David Vuillemin
6) Stephane Roncada
7) Kevin Windham
8) Nick Wey
9) Heath Voss
10) Sebastien Tortelli
11) Nathan Ramsey
12) Robbie Reynard
13) Kyle Lewis
14) Mike Craig
15) Mike Brown
16) Isaiah Johnson
17) Michael Byrne
18) J-S Roy
19) Steve Lamson
20) Kelly Smith
250 Series Points after 4 rounds:
1) Jeremy McGrath 92 pts
1) Ricky Carmichael 92 pts
2) Mike LaRocco 78 pts
3) Ezra Lusk 67 pts
4) Kevin Windham 63 pts
5) David Vuillemin 61 pts
6) Stephane Roncada 49 pts
7) Nick Wey 48 pts
8) Nathan Ramsey 47 pts
9) Timmy Ferry 30 pts
10) Michael Byrne 27 pts
125 Main results:
1) Ernesto Fonseca YAM
2) Grant Langston KTM
3) Danny Smith SUZ
4) Ivan Tedesco HON
5) Jiri Dostal HON
6) Jason McCormick SUZ
7) Ryan Clark YAM
8) Rodrig Thain SUZ
9) David Pingree KTM
10) Travis Preston HUS
11) Justin Buckelew YAM
12) Kevin Johnson YAM
13) Bryan McGavran HUS
14) Stephan Demartis YAM
15) Johnny Marley HON
16) Jeremy Chaussee HON
17) Tyler Evans HON
18) Casey Lytle KAW
19) Levi Reid YAM
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