 |
|
Budds was #100 for The GOAT |
|
photo: Steve Bruhn | | |
With all the coverage this past weekend’s
Budds Creek National had, there’s really not much I can say that you don’t already know. But I did have one of the best seats in the house, as I sat with the AMA Timing & Scoring crew at the finish line, where we had a great view of the track and a live feed of the Speed TV broadcast. Here are a few observations.
The AMA Motocross class was definitely a little more exciting due to the fact that RC could hit the century mark in total national wins. Each moto, James Stewart rode exceptionally well, but in the second moto it was inevitable what was going to happen.
 |
|
Villopoto logged a very dominant 1-1 win |
|
photo: Jackie Mims | | |
The first moto, RC had a “goggle malfunction.” In the press conference, Steve Bruhn asked what type of malfunction it was, and Carmichael said a rock came off of Stewart’s rear tire and caught him right in the goggles, popping part of the lens out of the frame. He soldiered on for a few laps before he could not see any more, so he tossed the goggles near the mechanics’ area. He said it was fine riding like that until they encountered some lappers, so he decided to back off and settle for second. He also had a few close calls throughout the moto, almost throwing it away over a tabletop and over a small mound at the base of Henry’s Hill. Speaking of Henry’s Hill, Stewart also had a very scary moment when he launched a little too far off of of it, almost landing on
Jason Thomas. If you watched it on TV, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.
 |
|
Jon Mitcheff (RV's mechanic) was glad to get back to the winner's circle |
|
photo: Jackie Mims | | |
The second moto was almost identical to the first. In fact, RC and James even wore identical gear. It took RC nearly 25 minutes before he found a safe way around Stewart, and James didn’t retaliate. James also said in the press conference that he got sick in between the motos and couldn’t hold anything down.
As for the final podium position, San Manuel Racing’s Chad Reed was able to nail that down with 3-4 scores. In the first moto, Reed started third, but the leaders slowly pulled away. In the second moto, Reed had to come from way back to take fourth, but Team Honda’s Andrew Short put in a very solid ride for third that moto.
Carmichael now has a 16-point lead over Stewart, who holds a 49-point advantage over both Grant Langston and Andrew Short, who are tied for third. Tim Ferry sits in fifth, two points behind Short and Langston.
In the Lites class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto made a statement, pulling both holeshots and pulling away in both motos for convincing wins. It was his first overall of the season, and he extends his points lead over his teammate Ben Townley to 14.
 |
|
Chad Reed returned to MX and took third overall |
|
photo: Jackie Mims | | |
Some of the best action of the day came in the Lites class, as the trio of
Josh Grant,
Ryan Dungey, and
Jason Lawrence battled for the final spot on the podium. They went back and forth, and their second-moto battle lasted a good part of the race, with Lawrence getting the nod.
Josh Grant also had a gear malfunction as his Leatt-Brace came loose and he had to throw it off mid-moto. And credit to
Bobby Kiniry for two solid motos for tenth overall.
Motocross (Moto Finish)
1. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 2-1
2. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 1-2
3. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 3-4
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 5-3
5. Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 4-8
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 8-5
7. Grant Langston, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha, 7-7
8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 6-9
9. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 12-6
10. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 11-10
 |
|
James went 1-2 for second overall |
|
photo: Jackie Mims | | |
Motocross Lites (Moto Finish)
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 1-1
2. Ben Townley, Tallahassee, Fla., Kawasaki, 2-2
3. Jason Lawrence, Murrieta, Ga., Yamaha, 3-3
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 5-4
5. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 4-5
6. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 9-6
7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Id., Honda, 6-13
8. Broc Tickle, Cary, N.C., Yamaha, 11-9
9. Steve Boniface, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 13-8
10. Robert Kiniry, La Fayette, N.Y., Kawasaki, 10-12
