The Week in Kawasaki History: Indy 2001
Thursday, March 10, 2011 | 6:50 PM
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Back in 2001, a turf war had broken out in AMA Supercross. Long-standing SX King Jeremy McGrath held the number-one plate, but 21-year-old Kawi man Ricky Carmichael was mounting the biggest threat yet to MC’s reign. They went back and forth a few times out in California, but many theorized that RC would hold the advantage once the series moved east. Carmichael, of course, is an eastern kid.
Indianapolis served as the first eastern race of the year. Carmichael had just won the Anaheim round the week earlier by running down McGrath for the lead—an unheard of feat. If McGrath failed to up end Carmichael and extract some revenge in Indy, the series could be over.
As soon as the gate dropped in the old RCA Dome, it was. Carmichael snagged the holeshot on his KX250 and took off. Tim Ferry and McGrath gave chase, but to no avail. Carmichael won handily, and just kept on winning, winning and winning some more. He ended the season on a ridiculous 13-race win streak, tying McGrath’s all-time win streak mark.
Indy was just another check along the way.
Indianapolis served as the first eastern race of the year. Carmichael had just won the Anaheim round the week earlier by running down McGrath for the lead—an unheard of feat. If McGrath failed to up end Carmichael and extract some revenge in Indy, the series could be over.
As soon as the gate dropped in the old RCA Dome, it was. Carmichael snagged the holeshot on his KX250 and took off. Tim Ferry and McGrath gave chase, but to no avail. Carmichael won handily, and just kept on winning, winning and winning some more. He ended the season on a ridiculous 13-race win streak, tying McGrath’s all-time win streak mark.
Indy was just another check along the way.
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Holeshot? Sheesh! I gotta get a life.........
I guess this makes me the Mike Alessi of the poster-nerd world....
Yes. You are just another Internet douche.
HAHAHAHA GOOD ONE! Oh wait I am here too
I am just addicted to anything moto, much like all of us i guess :) It's crazy to think how long RC has been retired already..Thanks for the flashback Jason W.......
It was pretty obvious by this race that MC had nothing for Carmichael. I still think that Ricky let MC by at Anaheim II after (unintentionally) running into him, and not really giving chase. After MC's terrible year in '02 and him switching to KTM, I knew that he was done. I think that Ricky had a SX title or two still in him, but he chose to retire. Gotta respect that. And Stewart NEVER beat RC straight up in a title fight, eventhough he had plenty of time to do it. It's not like RC retired a year after James moved up. Ricky could ride on the edge FAR more comfortably and with more success than Bubbles....
Nice observation Monster, I guess you missed the Legends of Supercross special on CBS two weeks ago, had you watch it you would have clearly heard RC say he let him go because that was the last time...
Forgive me if im wrong... BUT didnt James (Sorry Bubbles as you put it) BEAT RC straight up for the World Supercross Championship in 2006? Yeah, he NEVER BEat RC straight up for a title... EVER!!! Think before you speak or dont SPEAK at all!!!! hahahahaha
monster- you need therapy.
and all monster can do is talk about riding on the edge because if he could he would BE the news not post LAME COMMENTS talking about it...
Yup the world title, The SX could have gone either way that year also ( 2 points in the end). RC crashed more that year in SX than any year but his first because he had to push very hard that year.
I remember the Indy race well, RC was gone quickly. but lets not forget the MC was 29 years old and really on his way out. But RC was the man several years after that. And lets not forget that sorry WORLD supercross titles the Stewie lovers wont let go of. The Daytona round didnt even count against the "world title " points or RC wins that anyway. So what kind of title doesnt even count Daytona? Not much of one in everybodies opinion except the Stewie dies hards. It is the only thing they can hang on to. So in 99% of the fans opinions, Stewie NEVER beat RC for a title, not a real one. (dont forget, Reed was tied with Stewie in points that season after Vegas,366 points each, Stewie got the edge because of wins)
Yeah, I was at Indy '01 and was really pulling for Jeremy. By that round I think most fans knew that this was Stanton/McGrath all over again. RC took it to another level that year and Jeremy was to old/scared to go there. That 13 in a row by RC was bad for us Showtime fans. Remember McGrath ditching Pro Circuit for FMF in Vegas...it was like come on dude, really? I disliked RC earlier in his career, but as he matured I had newfound respect for him. After the Honda shunning I was actually pulling for the guy.
A collection of Races put together in which POINTS are collected for your overal race results is a Title. They both raced in the same events, and collected points based on there results in those EVENTS. So in that particular competition that they both thought was good enough to enter into, James Beat Ricky. So get your head out of RC's bum for 2 minutes and understand that although this TITLE wasn't the AMA Supercross title, it was still a TITLE none the less. They both thought it was REAL enough to enter into it whether it included Daytona or not. Some people are really negative sat there behind there computer screens *****ing all day about something they can only DREAM of ever doing. Give Stewart credit where its Due!!!
The shock of seeing RC just blow by MC that year (2001) was something it took McGrath fans years of therapy to recover from. I was a dyed~!in~the~wool Showtime fan, about the only thing I held against him was the Supercross~only thing (think, the famed Doug Henry sky~shot at Red Bud would never have occurred if Jeremy hadn't been there to contest the outcome of the race). When that arrogant little fat kid passed Supermac with seeming ease all season, you knew the mojo was over...a new era had begun. RC4 is the GOAT, no question.
If RC hadn't beat McGrath in 2001 I wonder what would have happened. Take Ricky out of that series and McGrath probably breaks his own record for wins in a season.
Sorry, since I didn't see the "Legends of Supercross", yet I surmised on my own that RC let MC go at Anaheim II. And yes, Bubbles beat RC for a World Title, which consisted of two rounds in Canada that RC didn't race at. BFD!!! I'm talking REAL legitimate titles here, people. So, the rest of you yahoos need to pull your head out. Some people on here are such pussies, they wont even put a name or contact info down. Sad....
Nope. I don't like Stewart, so I am not giving him credit against RC. And I am not a die hard RC fan either. The facts are these: Bubbles had 3 or 4 years to beat RC in an AMA SUPERCROSS OR AMA MOTOCROSS title, and never did. Stewart is the 21st century Ezra Lusk. Blazing fast, but crashes WAY too much. You don't win titles that way.
Monster,, comparing JS to Ezra is not a very good analogy. I dont remeber Ezra winning near as much as JS has,, do you ?
I don't know why I even respond to posts like this but I just can't understand how some people just don't know anything about the sport yet post here. James isn't even close to the rider that Carmichael was. Not even close. Not in race wins, not in championships, and definitely not in personality. The only reason people think Bubba is the "fastest man on the planet" is because the ignorant masses out there believe him when he says it! Especially when we compare the riders outdoors. It's not even close.
tomktm,, Lets remember that RC is RETIRED, so he doesnt count anymore.. Also, if you dont think JS is the fastest, lets make a bet on any race you want if he wins ?? You would be stupid not to pick JS.
There is no dought that JS cashes alot. BUT, you have to admit he is the fastest.. He made those guys looks like C riders at Daytona.
I know RC is retired so why do people keep bringing him up? I'll tell you why - because he was the best and that is what Bubba fans think Bubba is so they compare the two and lie about James beat Ricky here or beat Ricky there... Of course James beat Ricky more than once but it was an anomoly if anything back then. Bubba hasn't even had the most wins in this early SX season. He hasn't won outdoors since 08' and was embarrassed at Unadilla last year when he tried to compete. So why do people still call him the fastest man on the planet? That bugs me. The only thing James has done worth any God like status was his perfect outdoor season in 08'. I give him major props for that. Back then he should have been saying he was the fastest man on the planet, not now.
He is the fastest,,, just not the most consistant. I have never compared him to RC.. The fact is RC even said it himself that JS is faster than he was.. JS just doesnt use his head like RC did. Like I said, you would b stupid not to bet on JS at any SX or MX race.
Monster RC did race the Canada Rounds so unless you have some FACTS to add stop now because YOU look DUMB!!
TOMKTM you say >Of course James beat Ricky more than once but it was an anomoly if anything back then< Are you crazy?? JS rand down RC many times and passed him for the win. I am Not saying JS is as good or better then RC by no means.... but what you said is dumb!!
BD200 talk about not letting go!!! Like someone else said >A collection of Races put together in which POINTS are collected for your overal race results is a Title. They both raced in the same events, and collected points based on there results in those EVENTS. So in that particular competition that they both thought was good enough to enter into, James Beat Ricky< So deal with it, You might not think it means anything but RC thought it ment enough to do it sooooo
This RC vs JS argument is one for the ages. People compared Hannah to DeCoster (same situation, RD was nearing the end of his career), Bradshaw to Johnson (again, same thing) and so on. With the levels of competition being equal (which they aren't / weren't), Ricky did more over his career (never beaten for an outdoor title / title defense). My "old" measuring stick was Hannah / Johnson / Ward / Glover / Stanton with their 6 or 7 titles(each) to their credit(s). Ricky C. is the new standard. JS has had / will have a fine career but, the GOAT he is not (by going SX only, how could he even be considered?).
Also, it might be easier for me to see (a little more) objectively because I don't have a horse in that race. I root for the underdog(s), always have......except when team U.S.A. lines up on the gate.
world sx title ??? whats that??? oh ya, we all forgot about it the next day because it was so damm stupid!!
Cole Seely top 5 this weekend ? could be interesting
This is a fairly long comment, that wastes considerable bandwidth.. Please! do NOT read it, if long, well-researched, articles offend you.
"So in 99% of the fans opinions, Stewie NEVER beat RC for a title, not a real one. (dont forget, Reed was tied with Stewie in points that season after Vegas,366 points each, Stewie got the edge because of wins) "
Toronto: Honda’s Nick Wey grabbed the $1,500 Progressive Direct Holeshot Award with Suzuki’s carmichael and Reed in tow. Stewart started in 10th place. Throughout the first lap Reed and Carmichael traded positions, but the start of lap two, Carmichael hit a tuff block and crashed. Stewart moved into second place and put the charge on Reed.Reed and Stewart swapped positions several times before they came together before the finish line jump on lap 17. Stewart went off the track and upon re-entering Honda’s Travis Preston collided with Stewart, causing both of them to crash. Reed went on to pick up the win. Carmichael battled back to finish second and Stewart finished third.
Vancouver BC : Stewart led all 20 laps en route to his second-career Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP race. Carmichael was second while Reed was third.
“It was not the start I wanted,” said Carmichael. “If you want to put yourself in a better position, you can’t start the race like that. Only bad things can happen when you get a start like that.”
“It was a great race tonight, and I love racing here in Canada,” said Stewart. “My parents really helped me keep on track this week and come into the weekend really prepared. I do not feel 100% confident yet because I still have a lot of work ahead of me.”
series points after 2 rounds:
James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 50
Ricky Carmichael, Havana, Fla., Suzuki, 44
So.........stewart gains a 6 point advantage, in canada.
daytona 2006: "stewart grabbed the main event holeshot and even managed to make it through the first turn. With half the battle already won, it looked as though Number 7 had it going on. He posted the fastest lap time of the night and it was almost a full second faster than Carmichael. But, Lucky wasn't so lucky tonight as the call of his native soil was too strong to resist. Stewart enjoyed a nice reunion with the Dirt Wurx-built track on Lap 2, allowing Reed, who had been in second place, Carmichael and the entire field weave their way around him. Ricky got by Reed on the same lap and was in first for the remainder of the evening."
So........ Stewart finished 6th, and dropped 10 points to ricky, at daytona 2006
Final Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP Season Standings
1. James Stewart, Tallahassee, Fla., Kawasaki, 380
2. Ricky Carmichael, Havana, Fla., Suzuki, 365
Even if you were to add 'Daytona 2006', to the 'World Supercross GP' series, it will only give Carmichael, 10 points more on stewart, leaving him still 5 points behind ! So..... is stewart's 2006 "world gp title" really worth any less than carmichaels ama sx title ? ? ?
Final Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series Season Standings
1. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 338
2. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 336
here an asterisk *. sorry, but even the GOAT has a few...
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS3TOIfy85s
at 4:25 we have carmichael, cutting the track in detroit. His teammate Ivan Tedesco was penalized earlier in the day, for doing the same thing. Their was also that little 'fuel' issue, as well...
These are the facts. If you think that you know something, and you want to prove it to somebody else, the BEST way to do it, is to present a case.
No disrespect to anyone. peace.
Here is a really COOL website, which chronicles the entire 2006 supercross season:
://www.amsoil.com/supercross/2006/schedules/supercross.aspx
I would n e v e r put my name or contact info down, with a 'monster' like you running around out there. Get a real life dood.
Just so everyone that would care to bash me knows, your opinion of me means nothing. Really. Especially pussies that hide behind their computers. I do respect the opinions of SOME folks on here, like TomKTM, Bill C, BD200, but the rest of you can kiss my ass for all I care, lol. Having said that BillC, okay lets let Bubbles have his worthless "World" title against RC. Heath Voss won the World title one year, and I dont remember him ever even getting a podium in SX!!!! LIke I said, legitimate titles, buddy. RC was the best, and Bubbles doesn't compare. When JS is on, then he is without a doubt one of the best, but he crashes way too much. And Ezra Lusk won the first 3 out of 5 rounds in '99, and more races beyond that, but couldnt win the title. Why? Crashed too much.
And to answer your question Trick: YES, that useless "World" title is worth far less than the AMA SX title. If it wasn't, the factories wouldn't have kept a lot of their riders from racing those 2 rounds in order to not get hurt for the real series: The AMA Supercross Series. Again, Heath Voss won it one year, and he was an average rider at best. No disrespect to Heath meant in any way.
yes monster, i fully understand that the world gp title, is not held in the same high regard as the ama supercross title. In the former years, it held much less importance (back when heath voss won it), but eventually, the big 3 were using it as a warm up for A1. ricky and reed were both there.
the 'world gp' series, was just the 'ama supercross series', with two extra rounds added onto it. So.... stewart won the longer (world gp) version of supercross competition. Even if we were to count Daytona's points into it, stewart still ends up with a five point lead at the end, doesn't he?
So, the world gp title doesn't mean crap, as you can clearly see here.
......... after all, we dont give the lite's regionals any respect around here, being that it is a 'shorter' series, compared to the 'premier' class.
So.... stewart wins a longer, tougher series, but it is still universally held, in much less regard.
who makes up these stupid rules anyway.....?
stewie is fast but IMO rv has been holdind back a little since he crashed twice oakland. Rv can mach his speed. But comparing him to the goat is just supid. Lost alota resect for bubba when he went supercross only. Plus he always makes exuses. "I would have won if i didnt crash and went faster" No shit. Nobody racing now is as good as RC. just my opion
awful quiet on here.
was it something i said ?
Trick, Facts will ALWAYS shut people up. Like BD200 puts Daytona out there saying that did not even count, SO WHAT even if it counted JS STILL wins. LOL.