Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael Crowned King Of Amp’d Mobile AMA SX Series

May 9, 2006, 6:37am

With the points tied and the title on the line, the Greatest of All
Time comes through big and beats rival Chad Reed hands down for the title

CARLSBAD, Calif., (May 8, 2006) – Monster Energy’s Ricky
Carmichael (Suzuki) saved one of his most consistent performances of the 2006 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series season for Vegas, taming a high speed and slick Sam Boyd Stadium track to capture the overall AMA Supercross title with a 2nd place finish in the season’s final race.

Tied at 316-316 with rival Chad Reed heading into the last round,
Carmichael absolutely had to ride a hyper fast, mistake-free race in
the finals – and did just that to take the overall series win.

“Wooo! I can’t believe it!,” exclaimed Carmichael as he wiped
the Vegas dirt away from his face with a Monster Energy towel – live
all around the world on the Speed Channel. “This was a total team
effort tonight. We went through a lot of adversity this year and
tonight we were able to overcome it. From my mechanic, Mike
Gosselaar, to my parents and everybody else associated with the team – we did it!”

One couldn’t imagine the pressure Carmichael was under during the
week leading up to the race. The now five-time Supercross champion had all but wrapped up the title in previous years leading up to Vegas, so for the points chase come down to the first-ever tie going into the last race in the sport’s 34-year history made this one
extra special.

“This week I spent some time with my mom (Jeannie) and I more or
less just talked myself into winning this race mentally,” said
Carmichael. “Supercross has always been really, really hard for me
– so I take a lot of pride in this championship.”

For the record, Carmichael now has 14 national championships.

Carmichael’s Monster Energy-backed teammate Ivan Tedesco also had an excellent season. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native was back at home in the desert conditions and overcame a spectacular heat race crash to finish a solid 7th place overall in the main. Tedesco, consistent all season long, wound up finishing 4th overall in the standings.

Both RC and Ivan have the next couple weeks off before returning to
action May 21st for the opening round of the 2006 Toyota AMA
Motocross Championship series at Hangtown (Sacramento). Carmichael’s especially excited to square off against his home state (Florida) rival, James Stewart.

“James will be on a 450, so I’m pumped,” said Carmichael.
“It’s going to be an exciting summer of racing for sure.”