Carmichael Wins U.S. Open Championship, Collects $100,000

Carmichael earned the holeshot for the second night in a row in the AMA Supercross class, followed by Honda’s Kevin Windham, of Centerville, Miss., and Honda’s Ernesto Fonseca, of Murrieta, Calif. Carmichael led all 25 laps en route to victory and his third career U.S. Open championship. The win wraps up a grand slam season for Carmichael, winning the following championships: World Supercross GP, AMA Supercross, AMA Motocross, Motocross des Nations and the U.S. Open. Windham finished second and Kawasaki’s Michael Byrne, of Temecula, Calif., finished third. Fonseca crashed late in the race and was unable to finish.

“It has been an unbelievable year for me,” said Carmichael. “I am really excited for Suzuki, and this is a big night for them. They gave me an opportunity, and we all worked together on this great season. It was unfortunate that Chad (Reed) and James (Stewart) could not race tonight. I sacrificed a lot to have such a great season, and it was well worth it.”

Honda’s Billy Laninovich, of Lake Elsinore, Calif., earned the holeshot in the AMA Supercross Lites main event, followed by Short and Metcalfe. On lap 3 Short passed Laninovich for the lead and held on for the win. After Laninovich bobbled while trying to re-pass Short, Metcalfe moved into second place and stayed there for the remainder of the race.

“We have had two good nights of racing, and I look forward to racing in Anaheim,” said Short. “This course calls for close racing, and that’s what makes it exciting. I am learning and getting better every day.”

“I am so happy now, and I worked really hard for it,” said Metcalfe. “I rode smart and finished the race where I needed to. I really enjoy racing on the tight courses; it reminds me of racing back home in Australia.”

Suzuki’s Eli Tomac, of Cortez, Colo., finished second overall (1-4-7-3 finishes in the four-moto race) and Honda’s Shawn Rife Jr., of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, finished third overall (4-1-10-2). Suzuki’s Tyler Sjoberg, of Castaic, Calif., won the third moto, while Honda’s Justin Barcia, of Monroe, N.Y., won the fourth moto.

Overall AMA Supercross : 1. Ricky Carmichael ; 2.Michael Byrne ; 3.Kevin Windham ; 4.Mike Larocco ; 5.Jason Thomas ; 6.Nick Wey ; 7.Ernesto Fonseca ; 8.Kyle Lewis ; 9.Jeff Gibson ; 10.Rodig Thain …

Overall AMA Supercross Lites : 1.Brett Metcalfe ; 2.Josh Hansen ; 3. Robert Kiniry ; 4.Billy Laninovich ; 5.Andrew Short ; 6.Jake Weimer ; 7.Mike Brown ; 8.Dylan Lord ; 9.Kyle Mace ; 10.Logan Darien …

Friday

AMA Supercross : 1.Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki); ; 2.Michael Byrne (Kawasaki); ; 3.Ernesto Fonseca (Honda); ; 4.Mile LaRocco (Honda); ; 5.Kevin Windham (Honda); ; 6.Nick Wey (Honda); ; 7.Jason Thomas (Honda); ; 8.Kyle Lewis (Honda); ; 9.Jeff Gibson (Honda); ; 10. Tiger Lacy (Honda)

AMA Supercross Lites : 1.Brett Metcalfe (Yamaha) ; 2.Josh Hansen (KTM); ; 3.Billy Laninovich (Honda); ; 4.Robert Kiniry (Honda); ; 5.Mike Brown (Suzuki); ; 6.Dylan Lord (Honda); ; 7.Jake Weimer (Honda); ; 8.Logan Darien (Honda); ; 9.Kyle Mace (Honda); ; 10. Brad Ripple (Suzuki)

Saturday

AMA Supercross :  1.Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki); 2.Kevin Windham (Honda ); 3.Michael Byrne (Kawasaki); 4.Mike LaRocco (Honda); 5.Jason Thomas (Honda); 6.Nick Wey (Honda); 7.Rodrig Thain (Honda); 8.Kyle Lewis (Honda); 9.Jeff Gibson (Honda); 10.Tom Hofmaster (Honda)

AMA Supercross Lites : 1.Andrew Short (Honda); 2.Bret Metcalfe (Yamaha); 3.Jake Weimer (Honda); 4.Robert Kiniry (Honda); 5.Billy Laninovich (Honda); 6.Josh Hansen (KTM); 7.Mike Brown (Suzuki); 8.Dylan Lord (Honda); 9.Kyle Mace (Honda); 10.Logan Darien (Honda)

Photo (C) TFS