Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael, of Tallahassee, Fla., continued his blitz on the record books in capturing the 100th AMA Motocross win of his career today at the Monster Energy Budds Creek National, round four of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF. Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, picked up his first series win of the season in AMA Motocross Lites.
Carmichael’s milestone victory was hotly contested by his archrival, Kawasaki’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla. After Stewart walked away with a narrow first moto victory, the stage was set for Carmichael to have to earn the overall victory. Needing a second moto win to secure the overall victory, Carmichael found himself in second place, trailing Stewart in the early stages of moto two.
Carmichael would track Stewart’s rear tire for the opening 11 laps, missing on every attempt to overtake the lead. But on lap 12, Carmichael made a high speed pass at the top of one of Budds Creeks’ hills and gained sole possession of the lead. Once out front, Carmichael never looked back and wound up cruising to the win, the 148th of his career.
“I told you guys from the beginning that it was going to be hard for me to win this weekend, ” said Carmichael. “He got me both starts today. I was just riding behind him trying to make a move. On this track it was hard for me to do anything on him. The section I finally passed him, James had a great line on the inside the entire race. The lap I passed him I was finally able to get by him and kept it clean from there. “
With the win, Villopoto, who is the reigning AMA Motocross Lites champion, extended his points lead to 14 points over Kawasaki teammate Ben Townley, of Tallahassee, Fla. Villopoto was completely dominant on this day, winning both motos with double digit margins of victory. Townley turned in 2-2 moto finishes for second overall, while Yamaha’s Jason Lawrence, of Carlsbad, Calif., was third overall (3-3).
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