Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael Enjoys Huge Send Off At Anaheim
January 8, 2007, 2:28pm
Wonderful tribute to Carmichael during opening ceremonies highlighted by exciting main event battle with friendly Monster Energy rival James Stewart
CARLSBAD, Calif., (Jan. 8, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed Ricky Carmichael (Makita/Suzuki) was all smiles at the Anaheim (Calif.) opener of the 2007 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series. The Floridian, who was running the FIM’s top number plate colors as the Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP points leader, raced at the popular California supercross site for the final time this season – a partial, semi-retirement farewell tour for a racer known by many at the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).
“The balloon’s gotta land sometime and I didn’t want to get greedy,” said Carmichael to the SoCal supercross fans after the race. “It’s the greatest sport in the world and I’m just glad to be part of it.” Noteworthy: Carmichael is racing part-time this year in order to focus on his new NASCAR racing career.
To start the night Carmichael blazed out of his heat race to make the main, putting almost 8.5 seconds between him and the second-place finisher in his heat race, former World GP champ Grant Langston. In the main Carmichael pulled out of the start in third behind Chad Reed and Stewart. Carmichael quickly disposed of Reed in the sand section, then set his sights on Stewart – who he caught soon there after when Stewart went down near the finish line jump.
By lap six Stewart had caught back up to Carmichael and passed him on a double/triple section along the first base line of Anaheim Stadium. With the entire 45,000 in attendance on its feet, the two battled back and forth for much of the race, before Carmichael went down in a corner – right after he made one of the incredible saves fans of supercross have become accustom to. Carmichael managed to recover and keep his bike going, pass Reed again, but was unable to reel in the speedy Stewart.
“I was trying everything and it just seemed like I wasn’t quite fast enough,” said Carmichael from the podium. “I tried and tried but it just wasn’t to be. I had to ride a little on the edge and you saw what happened.”
Carmichael’s Monster Energy-backed teammate Ivan Tedesco finished 4th in his heat race to make the main event. In the main Tedesco – who’s riding injured – got a descent start (eighth) but went down on the second lap. Tedesco then worked his way back through the pack valiantly, finishing 14th overall to salvage seven points.
Carmichael and Tedesco return to action Jan. 13th for the Round Two of the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series at Phoenix’s Bank One Ballpark For more information on that event link to www.supercross.cc.com.
CARLSBAD, Calif., (Jan. 8, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed Ricky Carmichael (Makita/Suzuki) was all smiles at the Anaheim (Calif.) opener of the 2007 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series. The Floridian, who was running the FIM’s top number plate colors as the Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP points leader, raced at the popular California supercross site for the final time this season – a partial, semi-retirement farewell tour for a racer known by many at the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).
“The balloon’s gotta land sometime and I didn’t want to get greedy,” said Carmichael to the SoCal supercross fans after the race. “It’s the greatest sport in the world and I’m just glad to be part of it.” Noteworthy: Carmichael is racing part-time this year in order to focus on his new NASCAR racing career.
To start the night Carmichael blazed out of his heat race to make the main, putting almost 8.5 seconds between him and the second-place finisher in his heat race, former World GP champ Grant Langston. In the main Carmichael pulled out of the start in third behind Chad Reed and Stewart. Carmichael quickly disposed of Reed in the sand section, then set his sights on Stewart – who he caught soon there after when Stewart went down near the finish line jump.
By lap six Stewart had caught back up to Carmichael and passed him on a double/triple section along the first base line of Anaheim Stadium. With the entire 45,000 in attendance on its feet, the two battled back and forth for much of the race, before Carmichael went down in a corner – right after he made one of the incredible saves fans of supercross have become accustom to. Carmichael managed to recover and keep his bike going, pass Reed again, but was unable to reel in the speedy Stewart.
“I was trying everything and it just seemed like I wasn’t quite fast enough,” said Carmichael from the podium. “I tried and tried but it just wasn’t to be. I had to ride a little on the edge and you saw what happened.”
Carmichael’s Monster Energy-backed teammate Ivan Tedesco finished 4th in his heat race to make the main event. In the main Tedesco – who’s riding injured – got a descent start (eighth) but went down on the second lap. Tedesco then worked his way back through the pack valiantly, finishing 14th overall to salvage seven points.
Carmichael and Tedesco return to action Jan. 13th for the Round Two of the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series at Phoenix’s Bank One Ballpark For more information on that event link to www.supercross.cc.com.
