Three in a Row for Suzuki’s Carmichael. Laninovich Takes Home First Win in San Francisco

Reed earned the $1,500 Butterfinger Crisp Holeshot Award with Mike LaRocco, of Corona, Calif., and Carmichael in tow. Carmichael settled into second place on lap 2 and followed Reed until lap 8 where he passed the reigning THQ AMA Supercross Series champion. Once in the lead, Carmichael pulled away from Reed, who finished second and LaRocco, who finished third.

“This is what the fans wanted to see,” said Carmichael. “I had to chase Chad (Reed) and earn the win tonight, and I am very happy with my performance. It’s a long series, so I can’t get too excited. I need to keep my head on and finish the season strong.”

Yamaha’s Danny Smith, of Middleton, Idaho, earned the $1,000 Butterfinger Holeshot Award but Laninovich moved into the lead. Season points leader Ivan Tedesco started near the back of the pack and was able to move into third place late in the race. Honda’s Andrew Short, of Colorado Springs, Colo., moved his Honda into second place but was unable to pass Laninovich.

“This is the first win of my career, so I can’t even explain how happy I am,” said Laninovich. “I hope this is the first of many. I had a little battle with Danny Smith on lap 1, but I was able to move into the lead and ride smart.”

In the eighth-annual Suzuki Crossover Challenge mountain biker Brian Lopes, who came into the race as an odds-on favorite, led the first three laps with jet skier Victor Sheldon on his back wheel. Mid-way through the whoop section Lopes lost control and crashed, allowing Sheldon to move into the lead and get the win.

Racing returns to Angel Stadium of Anaheim next Saturday, February 5. Tonight’s race airs on ESPN2 tomorrow, Sunday, January 30 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

THQ World Supercross GP Season Standings

1.      Ricky Carmichael, Havana, Fla., Suzuki, 147
2.      Mike LaRocco, Corona, Calif., Honda, 121
3.      Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Honda, 116
4.      Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Yamaha, 103
5.      Tyler Evans, Corona, Calif., Suzuki, 80
6.      Sebastien Tortelli, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki, 75
7.      Damon Huffman, Valencia, Calif., Honda, 74
8.      Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Yamaha, 54
9.      Jason Thomas, Melrose, Fla., Honda, 53
10.     Jeff Gibson, Westerville, Ohio, 53

250cc THQ AMA Supercross Series Event Results

1.      Ricky Carmichael, Havana, Fla., Suzuki
2.      Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha
3.      Mike LaRocco, Corona, Calif., Honda
4.      David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
5.      Ernesto Fonseca, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
6.      Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Honda
7.      Heath Voss, Mico Texas, Yamaha
8.      Michael Byrne, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
9.      Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda
10.     Tyler Evans, Corona, Calif., Suzuki

250cc THQ AMA Supercross Series Season Standings

1.      Ricky Carmichael, Havana, Fla., Suzuki, 95
2.      Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda, 79
3.      Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha, 69
4.      Mike LaRocco, Corona, Calif., Honda, 66
5.      Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Honda, 59
6.      Ernesto Fonseca, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 58
7.      Sebastien Tortelli, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki, 57
8.      Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Yamaha, 51
9.      David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 49
10.     Michael Byrne, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 44

125cc Western Regional THQ AMA Supercross Series Event Results

1.      Billy Laninovich, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda
2.      Andrew Short, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
3.      Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
4.      Ryan Morais, Canyon Lake, Calif., Suzuki
5.      Bret Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
6.      Bryan Johnson, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha
7.      Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ken., Suzuki
8.      Danny Smith, Middleton, Idaho, Yamaha
9.      Jay Marmont, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
10.     Christopher Gosselaar, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki

125cc Western Regional THQ AMA Supercross Series Season Standings

1.      Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 80
2.      Ryan Sipes, Nine Grove, Kan., Suzuki, 67
3.      Danny Smith, Middleton, Idaho, Yamaha, 58
4.      Andrew Short, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 56
5.      Thomas Hahn, Belpre, Kan., Honda, 49
6.      Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., KTM, 46
7.      Billy Laninovich, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 42
8.      Bret Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 41
9.      Jay Marmont, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 39
10.     Jesse Casillas, Jamul, Calif., Honda, 35

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