AMA Supercross Class Laps Led:
James Stewart 131
Ricky Carmichael 40
Chad Reed 39
Kevin Windham 5
Nick Wey 2
Eric Sorby 3
AMA Supercross Lites Class Laps Led:
Ryan Villopoto 84
Christophe Pourcel 17
Ryan Dungey 14
Jason Lawrence 3
Steve Boniface 1
Ben Towley 15
Darcy Lange 1
Progressive Direct Holeshot Award (AMA Supercross)
Nick Wey (Toronto): $1,500
James Stewart (Vancouver): $1,500
Chad Reed (Anaheim 1): $1,500
Jeff Dement (Phoenix): $1,500
Nick Wey (Anaheim 2): $1,500
Chad Reed (San Francisco): $1,500
Nick Wey (Anaheim 3): $1,500
Tim Ferry (Houston): $1,500
Ivan Tedesco (San Diego): $1,500
Chad Reed (Atlanta): $1,500
Chad Reed (St. Louis): $1,500
Progressive Direct Holeshot Award (AMA Supercross Lites)
Christophe Pourcel (Anaheim 1): $1,000
Martin Davalos (Phoenix): $1,000
Steve Boniface (Anaheim 2): $1,000
Chris Gosselaar (San Francisco): $1,000
Ryan Villopoto (Anaheim 3): $1,000
Ryan Villopoto (Houston): $1,000
Christopher Gosselaar (San Diego): $1,000
Mike Alessi (Atlanta): $1,000
Ben Townley (St. Louis): $1,000
MMI Top Tech Award
Jeremy Albrecht (Anaheim 1): $500.00
Mike Gosselaar (Phoenix): $500.00
Jason Thomas (Anaheim 2): $500.00
John Mitcheff (San Francisco): $500.00
Willie Manning (Anaheim 3): $500.00
Manual Rivas (Houston): $500.00
John Mitcheff (San Diego): $500.00
Jason Thomas (Atlanta): $500.00
Craig Behl (St. Louis): $500.00
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Pro Privateer Challenge
1. David Vuillemin 144 Points
2. Heath Voss 137 Points
3. Travis Preston 122 Points
Asterisk Medic Card
Charles Castloo (Anaheim 1)
Michael Willard (Phoenix)
Charles Castloo (Anaheim 2)
Logan Darien (San Francisco)
Tyler Keefe (Anaheim 3)
Adam Chatfield (Houston)
Adam Chatfield (San Diego)
Cory Green (Atlanta)
Zach Ames (St. Louis)
Racer X Gas Card
Nathan Ramsey (Anaheim 1)
Eric Sorby (Phoenix)
Bryan Johnson (Anaheim 2)
Manuel Rivas (San Francisco)
Jason Thomas (Anaheim 3)
Erick Vallejo (Houston)
Doug DeHaan (San Diego)
Erick Vallejo (Atlanta)
Tyler Evans (St. Louis)
Toyota Tundra Fan Challenge
Jeff Gibson (Anaheim 1)
Nick Wey (Phoenix)
Nick Wey (Anaheim 2)
Jeff Gibson (San Francisco)
Nick Wey (Anaheim 3)
David Vuillemin (Houston)
Paul Carpenter (San Diego)
Bryan Johnson (Atlanta)
Cole Seibler (St. Louis)
Race Recap:
ST. LOUIS (March 3, 2007) – Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael made a victorious return to the Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series with an impressive win before a crowd of 58,131 at the Edwards Jones Dome. Kawasaki’s Ben Townley picked up the first-ever AMA Supercross Lites victory.
KTM Junior Supercross Challenge
- Grayson Graham, Bainbridge, Ga., KTM
- Tristan Lewis, Locust Grove, Ga., KTM
- Chase Haley, Dickson, Tenn., KTM
- Daniel Ross, Candler, N.C., KTM
- Blaze Turner, Gillsville, Ga., KTM
- Ridge Penn, Brandon, Miss., KTM
- Jonathan Royster, Jefferson City, Tenn., KTM
- Devin Milkovich, Ballwin, Mo., KTM
- Cory Carsten, Bayville, N.J., KTM
- Cameron Kothman, Adkins, Tex., KTM
- Ryan Herling, Belleville, Ill., KTM
- Justin Covarrubias, Canyon Country, Calif., KTM
- Weston Overturf, Brighton, Mo., KTM
- Logan Rich, Festus, Mo., KTM
- Benjamin Cousins, Killeen, Tex., KTM
Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP Season Standings
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 254
- Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 236
- Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 186
- Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 163
- David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 144
- Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda, 137
- Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 127
- Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 122
- Paul Carpenter, Ithaca, N.Y., Kawasaki, 119
- Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 112
Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series Event Results, St. Louis
- Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki
- Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
- Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
- Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha
- David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda
- Paul Carpenter, Ithaca, N.Y., Kawasaki
- Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda
- Eric Sorby, Lake Elsinore, Kawasaki
- Cole Siebler, Emmett, Id., Honda
Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series Season Standings
- James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 210
- Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 191
- Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 149
- Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 137
- Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 116
- Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 114
- Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda, 107
- Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 103
- David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 101
- Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 97
Amp’d Mobile Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Event Results, St. Louis
- Ben Townley, Tallahassee, Fla., Kawasaki
- Ryan Morais, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha
- Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Yamaha
- Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM
- Broc Tickle, Cary, N.C., Yamaha
- Darcy Lange, Hemet, Calif., Kawasaki
- Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM
- Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ken., Honda
- Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., KTM
- Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha
Amp’d Mobile Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Season Standings
- Ryan Morais, Temecula, Calif., Suzuki, 40
- Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Yamaha, 40
- Darcy Lange, Hemet, Calif., Kawasaki, 37
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 28
- Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha, 26
- Zach Osborne, Abingdon, Va., KTM, 26
- Ben Townley, Tallahassee, Fla., Kawasaki, 25
- Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ken., Honda, 25
- Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 22
- Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 18
Amp’d Mobile Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Season Standings
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 172
- Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 135
- Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 103
- Christopher Gosselaar, Victorville, Calif., Kawasaki, 97
- Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 92
- Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 88
- Josh Hansen, Lake Elsinore, Calif., KTM, 87
- Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Yamaha, 86
- Troy Adams, Homosassa, Fla., Suzuki, 71
- Kyle Cunningham, Springtown, Texas, Yamaha, 66
Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP Rider Finishes
Chad Reed
Toronto: 1
Vancouver 3
Anaheim 1: 3
Phoenix: 3
Anaheim 2: 2
San Francisco: 3
Anaheim 3: 2
Houston: 2
San Diego: 1
Atlanta: 3
St. Louis: 3
Ricky Carmichael
Toronto: 2
Vancouver 1
Anaheim 1: 2
Phoenix: 2
Anaheim 2: N/A
San Francisco: 1
Anaheim 3: N/A
Houston: N/A
San Diego: N/A
Atlanta: 2
St. Louis: 1
James Stewart
Toronto: 3
Vancouver 2
Anaheim 1: 1
Phoenix: 1
Anaheim 2: 1
San Francisco: 2
Anaheim 3: 1
Houston: 1
San Diego: 5
Atlanta: 1
St. Louis: 2
Tim Ferry
Toronto: 4
Vancouver 5
Anaheim 1: 5
Phoenix: 5
Anaheim 2: 4
San Francisco: 4
Anaheim 3: 3
Houston: 3
San Diego: 2
Atlanta: 6
St. Louis: 17
David Vuillemin
Toronto: 5
Vancouver 4
Anaheim 1: 6
Phoenix: 20
Anaheim 2: 11
San Francisco: 6
Anaheim 3: 12
Houston: 10
San Diego: 9
Atlanta: 8
St. Louis: 6
Nick Wey
Toronto: 6
Vancouver 9
Anaheim 1: 7
Phoenix: 9
Anaheim 2: 3
San Francisco: 5
Anaheim 3: 4
Houston: N/A
San Diego: N/A
Atlanta: N/A
St. Louis: N/A
Ryan Clark
Toronto: 7
Vancouver: 14
Anaheim 1: 17
Phoenix: N/A
Anaheim 2: N/A
San Francisco: N/A
Anaheim 3: 17
Houston: 16
San Diego: 14
Atlanta: N/A
St. Louis: 18
Paul Carpenter
Toronto: 8
Vancouver: 12
Anaheim 1: 11
Phoenix: 19
Anaheim 2: 7
San Francisco: 15
Anaheim 3: 9
Houston: 9
San Diego: 8
Atlanta: 20
St. Louis: 7
Heath Voss
Toronto: 9
Vancouver: 11
Anaheim 1: 8
Phoenix: 10
Anaheim 2: 13
San Francisco: 12
Anaheim 3: 8
Houston: 7
San Diego: 7
Atlanta: 9
St. Louis: 8
Jeff Gibson
Toronto: 10
Vancouver 8
Anaheim 1: 15
Phoenix: 15
Anaheim 2: 12
San Francisco: 9
Anaheim 3: 13
Houston: 17
San Diego: 13
Atlanta: 10
St. Louis: 12
Nathan Ramsey
Toronto: 21
Vancouver: 6
Anaheim 1: DNF
Phoenix: 11
Anaheim 2: 10
San Francisco: 13
Anaheim 3: 6
Houston: 19
San Diego: N/A
Atlanta: 16
St. Louis: 5
Travis Preston
Toronto: 16
Vancouver: 7
Anaheim 1: 4
Phoenix: 4
Anaheim 2: N/A
San Francisco: 7
Anaheim 3: 11
Houston: 5
San Diego: 10
Atlanta: 12
St. Louis: 21
Jason Thomas
Toronto: 14
Vancouver: 10
Anaheim 1: 21
Phoenix: 14
Anaheim 2: 16
San Francisco: N/A
Anaheim 3: N/A
Houston: N/A
San Diego: 19
Atlanta: 13
St. Louis: N/A
Kevin Windham
Toronto: N/A
Vancouver: N/A
Anaheim 1: 9
Phoenix: 8
Anaheim 2: 6
San Francisco: 10
Anaheim 3: 7
Houston: 4
San Diego: 3
Atlanta: 5
St. Louis: 4
Michael Byrne
Toronto: 15
Vancouver: 19
Anaheim 1: 10
Phoenix: 6
Anaheim 2: 5
San Francisco: 8
Anaheim 3: 5
Houston: 6
San Diego: 6
Atlanta: 14
St. Louis: 15
Ivan Tedesco
Toronto: N/A
Vancouver: N/A
Anaheim 1: 14
Phoenix: 7
Anaheim 2: 8
San Francisco: 14
Anaheim 3: 10
Houston: 8
San Diego: 4
Atlanta: 4
St. Louis: 9
Joshua Summey
Toronto: 19
Vancouver: 16
Anaheim 1: N/A
Phoenix: N/A
Anaheim 2: 9
San Francisco: 11
Anaheim 3: 19
Houston: N/A
San Diego: 12
Atlanta: N/A
St. Louis: 20
Bryan Johnson
Toronto: 20
Vancouver: 20
Anaheim 1: N/A
Phoenix: N/A
Anaheim 2: N/A
San Francisco: 20
Anaheim 3: 18
Houston: 14
San Diego: 16
Atlanta: 7
St. Louis: N/A
Eric Sorby
Toronto: N/A
Vancouver: N/A
Anaheim 1: 16
Phoenix: N/A
Anaheim 2: 15
San Francisco: 19
Anaheim 3: 20
Houston: 20
San Diego: 11
Atlanta: 19
St. Louis: 9
Cole Siebler
Toronto: 12
Vancouver: 18
Anaheim 1: N/A
Phoenix: 21
Anaheim 2: 14
San Francisco: N/A
Anaheim 3: 16
Houston: 11
San Diego: N/A
Atlanta: N/A
St. Louis: 10
Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross East Lites Class Rider Finishes
Ryan Dungey
Atlanta: 1
St. Louis: 18
Darcy Lange
Atlanta: 2
St. Louis: 6
Matthew Goerke
Atlanta: 3
St. Louis: 3
Ryan Morais
Atlanta: 4
St. Louis: 2
Branden Jesseman
Atlanta: 5
St. Louis: N/A
Justin Brayton
Atlanta: 6
St. Louis: 10
Zach Osborne
Atlanta: 7
St. Louis: 9
Matt Boni
Atlanta: 8
St. Louis: 19
Ryan Sipes
Atlanta: 9
St. Louis: 8
Kelly Smith
Atlanta: 10
St. Louis: N/A
Ben Townley
Atlanta: 22
St. Louis: 1
Mike Alessi
Atlanta: 21
St. Louis: 4
Broc Oneal Tickle
Atlanta: N/A
St. Louis: 5
Jeff Alessi
Atlanta: 13
St. Louis: 7
AMP’D MOBILE AMA SUPERCROSS
2007 ST. LOUIS POST-RACE PODIUMS AND INTERVIEWS – 3/3/07
JASON WEIGANDT: We got Ryan Morais? Ryan Morais, finally! Welcome to the podium!
RYAN MORAIS: Yeah, finally. Been working my butt off over here and I’m so happy it’s paying off.
JASON WEIGANDT: It’s been a long road for you. I know the injuries have piled up over the years, but you don’t stop believing!
RYAN MORAIS: Yeah, injuries have been definitely a big part of my career, unfortunately.
JIM HOLLEY: Hey, Ryan, this is Jim Holley. Do you know you’re actually leading the points? You’re tied with your teammate right now, with 40, going into Daytona next week.
RYAN MORAIS: I did not know that.
JASON WEIGANDT: Points lead, buddy.
JIM HOLLEY: You’re tied.
RYAN MORAIS: That’s really good to know. Actually, I don’t know if that’s good to know. Makes me a little more nervous now.
JASON WEIGANDT: Somebody would have told you – Don’t worry.
JIM HOLLEY: How tough is that sand section on the start when you come out of that first turn to do that double and you’re right into it?
RYAN MORAIS: It’s difficult. That was definitely the hardest spot of the whole track. I thought the track was really easy tonight and the sand was definitely the technical part.
JASON WEIGANDT: Well, Ryan, man, congratulations. Great job on the podium. And you got the points lead. Did you expect to be doing this strong this early?
RYAN MORAIS: Yeah, I’m ready for Daytona. Got a little confidence now; I’m ready to come in. I just want to give a shout out to all my friends at home, all my roommates, and thanks for all the support.
JASON WEIGANDT: Good job, Ryan. Alright, Ryan Morais, taking second place tonight. He is of course now tied for the points lead with his teammate, Matt Goerke. We got Matt? Matt, you there?
JIM HOLLEY: Hey, Matt, how you doing?
MATT GOERKE: I’m doing good.
JIM HOLLEY: Hey, I gotta ask you. After that practice crash in turn #5 – where you went through the whoops there – you landed on the concrete. After that, they put an Alpine Star tuff block in the turn there. That had to make you feel a little bit better.
MATT GOERKE: Yeah, a little bit. I wish they would have had that there at first though, because that hurt when I hit that concrete.
JASON WEIGANDT: Were you shaken up, going into the main event?
MATT GOERKE: Yeah, I was a little worried. I mean, my wrist was hurting, but I talked to Dr. Metzger and my trainer, Jim Delzer, and they just told me to block it out. It’s only about 12, 13 minutes of my life to block it out, and I did.
JIM HOLLEY: How do you block out when you’re coming into that turn #6 there and you see Darcy Lange flipped over and you see all the guys ahead of you that are crashing and you end up with that third place?
MATT GOERKE: I was pumped. I was just following my teammate, Ryan. He was riding awesome; I was right on him. Then I was just taking it nice and smooth, trying to get a good finish where I stay in the points and they ended up crashing, so now me and Ryan are up there. That’s awesome.
JIM HOLLEY: Hey, you mentioned the points. Do you know you’re tied with your teammate right now going into Daytona?
JASON WEIGANDT: For the points lead.
MATT GOERKE: Yeah, that’s what they just said. I’m pumped. Especially after that crash in practice and the next two races are my two hometown races. I can’t wait.
JASON WEIGANDT: Yeah, you’re a Florida boy now. I know this is a completely different year for you. You have turned up big time. What do you credit this to?
MATT GOERKE: Oh, yeah, my bike is just awesome this year. I’m on an awesome team. Also, another person I’d like to thank for helping me out before the main event was Steve Navarro – he was working on my wrist and it held up good.
JIM HOLLEY: Well, go get some more treatment on that wrist and we’re gonna call this next Supercross main event. Thanks for coming on.
MATT GOERKE: Alright, cool. Thanks a lot.
JASON WEIGANDT: That’s Matt Goerke, third place tonight. That worked out beautifully as we transition now into our main event for our Supercross class. We’ll have Ben Townley come up here and join us for it a little bit later on. He’s got a lot of the line here too because, well, Ricky Carmichael. He lives at Carmichael’s house, he trains with Carmichael, he has Eldon Baker, Ricky Carmichael’s trainer, as his trainer. Now, Camp Carmichael hopes they can deliver another one here in the main event in the Supercross class tonight.
[MAIN EVENT]
JASON WEIGANDT: Joined by our Lites winner here, Ben Townley. Ben, that was a wild race, but this one, just as wild right now.
BEN TOWNLEY: Yeah, definitely. My race was out of control at the end there. I’m still running through it in my head. I got the holeshot and I wasn’t setting the world on fire out there. I was just riding pretty consistent and doing good lap times and probably holding the others up a little bit.
JASON WEIGANDT: You made it work.
BEN TOWNLEY: Yeah, I mean, I stayed on.
JIM HOLLEY: Hey, Ben, I gotta ask you. In turn 7, right down here, you made that inside line work for you.
BEN TOWNLEY: Yeah, I did. I just came in there and I knew the rut was pretty deep and I just forced my way through there. And Darcy was riding good. We had a good battle going there at the end. I felt sorry for him. But I just gotta say hi to everyone in New Zealand. There is a lot of people listening in right now and they know that this has been my dream for a long time and it’s just awesome. I can’t explain it.
JIM HOLLEY: Yeah, we actually gave a shout out to your mom. We know she was supposed to come over with your dad, but your sister had an illness and she stayed back. But hey, he did it, Mom!
BEN TOWNLEY: I’ve gotta say, this one’s for you, little sis, and I hope you get better.
JASON WEIGANDT: In just a moment, we’ll have Ricky Carmichael up on the podium. Now you might have heard a spattering of jeers, cheers, the whole nine yards, if they interviewed James Stewart and Chad Reed. But now we’re gonna go down to the podium and hear from Ricky Carmichael.
TERRY BOYD: Even early on today, I could tell you were in the groove; you were in your zone.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: I was in my zone, but I got a gift, and I guess I’ll take it any way I can get it. You guys were awesome. When I went into the lead the crowd was so loud. I don’t know if I could have caught him, spotting him that much with a bad start, but when they fell down and Chad got up right behind me, he had his chance to get me and I kept laying the wood down and putting in some good laps. I felt really, really good. Hate to take it that way, but I will.
TERRY BOYD: What about next week? You go to Daytona. You certainly love that track. It’s gnarly; it’s more of like an outdoor racetrack. It’s gonna be a different set of circumstances.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: Yeah, it is. It’s gonna be a lot different, and I’m looking forward to it. I love that place. I love this place too. I love the crowd here and I love this dirt. I wish we could have all three battled it out, but I don’t know what those guys were doing. I was enjoying it and enjoying you guys so much. Thank you very much. I gotta give it up for Makita Suzuki. Those guys in the shop work so hard and Bridgestone Tires, Fox, Oakley, all my fans, Live Nation, Monster Energy – Thank you very much.
TERRY BOYD: You got the record now for St. Louis – four wins here. You’ve surpassed Jeremy McGrath. You’re the winningest rider in the St. Louis Edward Jones Dome history. Then the following week after Daytona, we go to Orlando – your final race. I know you want to invite these guys to come on down and see you in all your glory.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: Oh, absolutely. I’m loving it. This has just been a phenomenal career and I never thought it would be this good. I wouldn’t be out here without you guys. You guys are what’s sailing this ship. We need the crowd to be here and pack all these things.
TERRY BOYD: I gotta ask you a question. Joe Nemechek is over there. Was that a Nascar style donut that he burned over here? Because I think that’s what you were trying to show ‘em.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: Yeah, you know what? I tried. It’s a little harder on two wheels, and standing up. It’s a great opportunity. If it happens, great. I’m gonna do it all, giving it my all.
TERRY BOYD: Hey, man, great Ricky as always. The greatest of all time. The greatest ambassador. St. Louis, say goodbye to Ricky Carmichael!
JASON WEIGANDT: Well, that’s our winner, Ricky Carmichael. And, like you said, Jim, he had to have a smile on his face. He got a terrible start, but Reed and Stewart knocking each other down on the first lap – and what I was saying was a smattering of tears and jeers for both Reed and Stewart. We’ll figure out exactly what went down when we get to talk to those guys in a second. We’ll have the exclusive interviews with Reed, Stewart, Carmichael, right here on Supercross Live. So stay with us here.
[RADIO SHOW]
JASON WEIGANDT: Who have we got down there?
JIM HOLLEY: James Stewart. James, you’re on, buddy. How you doing?
JAMES STEWART: I’m alright.
JIM HOLLEY: Hey, let’s get physical tonight. That was nice out there.
JAMES STEWART: Yeah, I guess it’s gonna be like that the rest of the season. But, I’m out here racing for a championship. I knew what I had to do when I got back and I felt like I rode good. I had a good pace going tonight, but just a mistake on my part, I guess.
JIM HOLLEY: I noticed when you came out of that sand section, you got hung up with Ryan Clark and then after the race, Ryan Clark came over to you. What was he saying?
JAMES STEWART: Well, we were just talking about it. I didn’t mean to go in and I was just trying to make up some time and I saw him hold the guy up and I thought he would just be up there a little bit, kind of blocking the guy, and he cut down and we tangled up, but no hard feelings. We shook hands and I told him, my bad – I didn’t mean to take him out. He said he’d move over if I asked him to, but I was like it’s kind of hard to ask you on the racetrack.
JIM HOLLEY: Well, here’s the next one that’s gonna be a little bit hard. I’ve been in that position before. When you’re battling, you come after the race, you get the finish line, you give Chad Reed the thumbs up – He comes over to you. What did he say?
JAMES STEWART: Oh, he just started calling me some names and he ended up pushing me. I just told him, dude, there’s no reason for that. We’re both out here racing for one goal and you don’t have to be like that. We had twenty laps to handle it and, oh well. I just gotta expect that but I just gotta give it up for the guys from Kawasaki. We worked really hard tonight.
JASON WEIGANDT: How did it work out, James, that the same corner that you and Reed came together earlier in the main was the same one that you were able to pass him back later? That’s pretty wild how that worked out.
JAMES STEWART: Yeah, I got him. Oh, I just had to make a move. I thought maybe – I didn’t know what he was gonna do; try to jump on me or just run me off the track. I just know what to expect but no hard feelings on my part.
JASON WEIGANDT: Alright, James, we’re proud of that. Did you think at any point you were gonna go after the win or was it all second place tonight?
JAMES STEWART: No, I knew what I had to do. Beating Chad Reed is like a win to me right now. I’m super stoked for Ricky to go out in his last race in St. Louis and win it. I think it actually worked out really good. I have no hard feelings and congratulations to him.
JASON WEIGANDT: Well done, James. Congrats. We’ll see you in Daytona and then in Orlando, right?
JAMES STEWART: Yep, thank you.
JASON WEIGANDT: Alright, that’s James Stewart, our runner up tonight. Some harsh words being exchanged with Chad Reed. We have the binoculars on; I’m not sure what’s going on with Reed right now. Is that him taking the discussion down there, Jim?
JIM HOLLEY: Yeah, he’s actually talking to Allen Brown, Larry Brooks and our man, Dixon, is making his way over to Chad Reed and getting ready to throw that headset on him and we’ll get a question from Chad Reed.
JASON WEIGANDT: Well, we’ve heard the one side of the story from James Stewart. We’ll hear from Chad as well. And it was just a wild race tonight, in both the Lites and in the Supercross class. We saw several crashes determine the race in the Lites division and then crashes determined here in the Supercross class as well, with Reed and Stewart coming together early in the race and opening up the door for Carmichael and whatever’s going on between those two, Carmichael’s not asking any questions.
Let’s go down to Chad Reed. Chad, what’s up?
CHAD REED: What’s up?
JIM HOLLEY: Hey, Chad, that was quite an understatement to say about physical. You and Stewart were getting physical out there tonight.
CHAD REED: A little bit.
JASON WEIGANDT: It was pretty wild. You know, for announcers like us, we enjoy the battles like that. Just take us through what happened in that corner. Is that incidental contact? What happened down there?
CHAD REED: Yeah, every time he passes me, he has to bump me, and I bumped back tonight.
JASON WEIGANDT: Yeah, you certainly did. Now did you stall the engine – did you kill the bike when you guys went down there?
CHAD REED: My bike didn’t stall. It was just kind of upside down and I had to pick it up. It was kind of a little bit bent up. But, it was good. I got going and I was just off the pace tonight and I was struggling. So, I’m super pumped with the podium tonight.
JIM HOLLEY: Yeah, Chad, you mentioned in practice you actually went around that turn #3 and tried that triple triple section in the back there. How difficult was that?
CHAD REED: It was tough. I was so frustrated with that one section that it just kind of snowballed into the rest of the track. But we fought a lot of stuff with the bike this weekend. We went one way, back the other way, and it was just all me. I was chasing something that I don’t think was out there.
JIM HOLLEY: Chad, I gotta go back to one year ago when you actually won here and that started things for you. But you struggled also with the track in St. Louis – I believe it was lap five or six in that main event where you started last year doing that section. I thought for sure in the main event you were gonna do that triple triple again.
CHAD REED: I was planning on it, and then in the main event, the bike was a little bit bent up. So, then I just had to go and fight for positions and get on the podium. I felt like if I had pulled that section off, I could have gone with Ricky. The rest of the track I was fine. It was just that one section and it messed with me and I let it get to me and you learn from your mistakes.
JIM HOLLEY: Chad, for people listening in on XM Radio on the internet and they’re gonna watch Speed tomorrow, how hard is it coming through that lap traffic?
CHAD REED: I mean, it’s hard. There is a lot of guys that are stepping it up, going faster and faster, and then the tracks – they’re getting really, really fast. This one was rutty. So, you just gotta be really careful. I really like this track; I love the dirt. We just didn’t have what it took to go fast tonight.
JASON WEIGANDT: Chad, how difficult is it to get back in your rhythm when something happens early in the main event for you? Does it throw off the entire main event and take you off your rhythm?
CHAD REED: I mean, for sure I wasn’t going in to fall. That’s kind of stupid on both our parts. I just went into a block pass and he just kept it on and we just kind of collided. It happens. I was just being aggressive back and we went down and we’ll do it again next week if that’s what it takes because I’m done. I’m not gonna be just a pushover like I have been.
JIM HOLLEY: Hey, Chad, one last question for you before we let you go. Are you looking forward to Daytona and Orlando?
CHAD REED: Oh, I love those two races. Daytona is definitely a special race. There’s not one guy out there that [doesn’t] want to win that race. I’ve got a few wins there and a real good number one in 2005 over Ricky. I’d love to go there this year and be strong and fight for a win again.
JIM HOLLEY: Hey, one other thing I gotta ask you. I liked the fire in you after the finish line, James puts his thumbs up and you came up and said, man, I don’t think that’s a good job, and you gave him a little shove at the end there. That was nice.
CHAD REED: He was trying to get up in my face and that’s what we’re not gonna put up with anymore.
JASON WEIGANDT: Alright. Hey, Chad, that makes for exciting racing. We appreciate the effort. Good job tonight.
CHAD REED: Thanks, guys. Bye.
JASON WEIGANDT: Alright, that is Chad Reed, our third place finisher. In just a moment, we’ll get the headset down to Ricky Carmichael, our race winner.
JIM HOLLEY: RC, what a win tonight, man.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: It was a spectacular night for me. I felt really good. I was the smoothest guy tonight. I felt really, really good. The bike came alive in the main. I’m super pumped.
JIM HOLLEY: Hey, Ricky, I know that Ben Townley’s been riding with you. You’re probably just as happy for Ben Townley, coming away with that wild win that he had.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: It was a wild night. This is what this sport needs; some wild stuff, and keep ‘em coming back for the next time. He’s had a rough go at this in America; all you guys know he has. The sun’s gotta shine on a dog’s butt some day and it did for him. But he earned it! I’ll tell you. Those guys are in control of their bikes and they know what to do, what they can do and what they can’t do. So, I think Eldon Baker is really happy for us too. I think if we all three could win next week, that would be a trainer’s dream.
JIM HOLLEY: Well, how about Scott Taylor down there? He’s been with you a long time. How important is it to have a guy like Scott Taylor in your corner?
RICKY CARMICHAEL: Scott always tells me I’ll just go out and win, like it’s a piece of cake to do. Go out and win, make the flight home easy but easier said than done. I said, you’ve been saying that to me for ten years. When’s that ever gonna stop? But he’s a good guy and he takes care of a lot for me and he does a lot for the sport. I’m just super pumped to get the win, especially for the team. It’s a rollercoaster for ‘em when I’m not here all the time and this and that and I’m just happy to get one for ‘em.
JIM HOLLEY: Ricky, last weekend I talked to you and you said, I had the skirt on. You ditched the skirt this weekend in that section where the triple triple; I mean, you haired it out and you were the only guy in the main event doing it.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: I felt really good and just super pumped on the way the bike was working. I’m going to celebrate everyone like it’s the last one because you never know. You never know when you’re last one is and that’s one thing I’ve learned with my time and experience.
JASON WEIGANDT: Hey, you definitely never know in Supercross. What runs through your mind when you see James Stewart and Chad Reed laying down on the ground in the first lap?
RICKY CARMICHAEL: It’s just full carnage, man. I think there’s a lot of tension between those two guys. I think Chad is getting frustrated and James is just kind of –doing his thing. He’s in the driver’s seat and I think Chad’s trying everything he can. I’m just so glad not to be a part of all that mess and capitalize on everything that goes on the track that can be good for me.
JIM HOLLEY: Well, something you’re going to be a part of is Daytona next Friday night and then the final, Orlando. That is the last time we’re gonna see you at Supercross.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: Yes, it will be and I can’t thank my fans enough. All you guys listening online; Ursula, I know you’re at home and Terry and everybody listening at home. Dr. Berg, Dr. Snyder – I gotta get you guys some plugs, man, some love. All you guys that I forgot, just thank you very much and it’s gonna be on.
JASON WEIGANDT: And Orlando, too. I can’t imagine. We’re gonna have a huge crowd there. That’s the grand finale.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: Yeah, I’d like to think it’s gonna be a good crowd. And what a way to go out. It’s where all this started, man. In Florida, racing local races on PW tri-zingers.
JASON WEIGANDT: Yeah, the ATC’s. Yeah, that’s right.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: Tri-zingers; the Yamaha Tri-zingers. And now to finish up there, it’s great.
JIM HOLLEY: How big it is? I mean, a good friend of mine – you know him – Willie Simons – He’s actually flying out west, out to Orlando, with me, because you know what? I want to be at Ricky Carmichael’s last Supercross in Orlando.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: Ah, thanks. Yeah, it is going to be my last Supercross and it’s just been a great journey; something that I never expected would happen and time flies so fast. The years go by so fast and it’s hard to grasp it and really hold onto it and reflect on what you’ve accomplished. But I can say this much. This year, I really have been reflecting and racing’s just been very fun the last half a year, especially racing with James. We’ve had some epic battles and really taking the sport to the next level and getting the recognition that it deserves.
JASON WEIGANDT: Hey, you’ve helped us out a ton, man. We appreciate it and congratulations tonight, Ricky.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: Ah, thanks. You guys – everybody on line, thank you very much. I appreciate all the support and we’ll see you on the next go-around.
JIM HOLLEY: Hey, go out there and get buck wild tonight in St. Louis.
RICKY CARMICHAEL: You know I get buck. The plane’s waiting and we’re gonna have a good time.
JASON WEIGANDT: Alright. That’s Ricky Carmichael, our race winner. Thanks, man.
