CARMICHAEL MAKES HISTORY IN VEGAS–MAY 7

Ricky Carmichael had to fight off a hard-charging Jeremy McGrath to do it, but the new supercross champ tied McGrath’s consecutive-win record at the Sam Boyd Silver Bowl in Las Vegas. McGrath served notice that he wasn’t going to roll over for RC, as he turned in the fastest heat-race time of the night. RC had to fight past the holeshotting Heath Voss, who was a factory rider for the evening aboard Honda’s new CRF450R. Voss also holeshot the main but would later crash and retire with a shoulder injury. McGrath flew past Voss and Stephane Roncada to take control of the race, while Carmichael had to work up from fifth. Carmichael latched onto McGrath and started hounding the seven-time champ mercilessly in hopes of forcing a mistake. The two twisted harder and harder until McGrath slewed sideways and Carmichael made the pass. McGrath then became the pursuer and chased Carmichael all the way to the checkers. Carmichael held on to tie McGrath’s record of 13 consecutive wins and 14 wins in a season.

In the Dave Coombs East-West 125 shootout, Yamaha of Troy YZ250F pilot Nathan Ramsey avenged his loss to new 125-East champ Travis Pastrana. The two battled in the 125-East heat race, with Pastrana giving two-stroke fans bragging rights going into the main. Grant Langston won the West-coast heat race but would crash out of the main on lap five. Ramsey took control of the main while both 125cc champs had to work through the pack in early laps. Pastrana moved into second ahead of Brock Sellards, making it an all-East podium, but Ramsey had pulled a comfortable lead and crossed the finish line seven seconds of Travis.

Final 250cc Points/Wins:
1. Ricky Carmichael/Kaw…392/14
2. Jeremy McGrath/Yam…328/2
3. Mike LaRocco/Hon…285
4. Kevin Windham/Suz…260
5. Ezra Lusk/Hon…254
6. Tim Ferry/Yam…221
7. Stephane Roncada/Kaw…165
8. David Vuillemin/Yam…154
9. Michael Byrne/Kaw…143
10. Sebastian Tortelli/Hon…139