By Staff
Ricky Carmichael took his sixth win of the season in AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship competition Sunday at Red Bud Track 'N Trail in Buchanan.
The victory brings Carmichael halfway to a second-straight undefeated season in the 250 class and extends his lead in the series to 59 points over Kevin Windham.
Carmichael, 23, of Havana, Fla., overcame an early challenge from fellow Honda rider Windham to pull away to convincing wins in both 250 motos. Windham complained of dehydration after the race, which was held in 90-degree heat and high humidity. Australian Chad Reed was third on a Yamaha.
Carmichael tied the record of three straight wins at the Red Bud circuit set by Mike Kiedrowski in the early 1990s. Carmichael also now owns 34 AMA Motocross wins and 93 combined AMA Motocross and Supercross victories. The win also marked Honda's 10th 250 national win at Red Bud.
Another Floridian, James Stewart, of Haines City, won the 125 division on a Kawasaki. The victory moved him from 17th to 12th in the AMA 125 Motocross standings with six rounds remaining. Brock Sellards and Kelly Smith finished second and third respectively on Yamahas.
Stewart trailed in both motos, running seventh on the first lap of the second moto, but charged hard to take the lead on the second lap of moto one and by lap three in the second. He pulled away to big wins in both races.
Sellards earned his best result of the year and moved to within three points of fourth-ranked Eric Sorby.
Smith said he thought his third at Red Bud was his first podium finish since winning the 125 class at Mt. Morris three years ago. He moved up five spots to 15th in the standings with the result.
The series now moves to the supercross-like track in Troy, Ohio next Sunday.