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AMAIChevy Trucks U.S. National MX Championships Round 7: Kenworthy's Motocross Park CARMICHAEL'S ONGOING TROUNCING OF THE 250cc CLASS IS ANYTHING BUT BORING. By DAVE DERINGER PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN TROY, OH, JCJLY 14 ftourteen for 14. That was Ricky ) Carmichael's current moto winning streak as he left the jump-filled Kenworthy's circuit on Sunday. Sometimes, when one person is so dominant in a certain sport, that sport becomes boring or less fun for the fans. In the case of motocross at this time, however, that is simply not true. Carmichael's dominance of the 250cc class thus far is now opening eyes, and people who were booing the focused Floridian earlier in the year are now cheering him on, as he is well on his way to a perfect season. Can he do it? That is the question right now, and although mistakes seem inevitable in the unpredictable world of outdoor motocross, Carmichael just does not seem to be making any. Instead, he pulls holeshot after holeshot and pulls away to huge win after huge win. "I concentrate on my starts because they are so important," Carmichael said. "The Dunlops hook up great, and I get those holeshots. I'm having a lot of success right now, and the bike is working awesome. It's been a while since Honda has won, and they're all giving it 28 JULY 24, 2002' cue I ... 100-percent effort. Now it's coming easy to me." Carmichael had solid leads before the end of the first lap each time out, and in the second moto he was some 30-plus seconds ahead of second place at the finish. The Floridian is flawless after seven rounds, but next week could prove to be his biggest challenge. "Unadilla is not my favorite track on the circuit, and I've been beat there before," he said. "I'm really going to have to work there because there are some other guys that go good there, too, and it won't be easy." Carmichael, who had already eclipsed Bob Hannah's 1978 record of 12-straight 250cc moto wins, tied Mark Barnett's 1981 outright record of 14-straight moto wins (Barnett's were in the 125cc class), and he also led every lap at Troy for a total now of 204 consecutive laps led. "I'm not real concerned about records," Carmichael added. "I just want to win races and the championship." He also has a perfect score of 350 points. Second overall at Troy was Carmichael's teammate, Sebastien Tortelli. The Frenchman, who is the center of team-change rumors of late, rode to two second-place finishes, n .. vw • battling with the likes of Mike LaRocco, Ezra Lusk and Tim Ferry. Tortelli started in ninth both times out and worked forward and caught everybody but the champ each time out. It marked his third podium of the year, and he sits fourth in the points. "He [Tortelli] put in a strong ride today and was happy to be on the podium," said Honda team manager Erik Kehoe. "He has overcome some injuries and is giving us some good effort. It was a good day for our team today, and he was a big part of it." Finishing a solid third was Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's Ezra Lusk. The Georgian rode to a fourth in the first moto and finished third the second time out. It was Lusk's fourth podium finish of the season and his second in a row. After starting the first outing in 11 th, Lusk moved up steadily until he made his way into fourth. A better fifth-place start in the second moto had Lusk up front early, but he went down midway through the moto and was passed by Tortelli. He got up quickly, remounted and rode unchallenged for the remainder of the moto, but gained a position when Ferry fell late in the race. "I'm glad to keep my podium streak going," Lusk said. "I laid it down in that second moto and gave Sweet 16: Guy Cooper (5401, here taking the holeshot in the 250cc National at Troy, finished 16th In both motos for 16th overall. everybody another head start. I want to finish the season safely and on the podium. I've been putting in the time, and it's not just luck - it's hard work." Mike LaRocco was fourth overall. The Amsoil/Dr. Martens/Journeys Honda rider was third in the first moto after battling with fellow Honda riders Nathan Ramsey and Tortelli. An 11 th-place start the second time out made LaRocco work a bit harder, and his tender wrist took a beating on the rough circuit. When that joint gets back to 100 percent, LaRocco is going to be a threat for a win. "RC is just showing us how to ride," LaRocco said. "I've still got some work to do, and the wrist is still sore after the races, but the endurance is my biggest battle." LaRocco won at Unadilla several years ago, and the long, rough circuit next week may be just what he is looking for. Planet Honda's Robbie Reynard was a solid fifth overall with a fifth and a sixth in the motos. Reynard shows flashes of brilliance, and he was on at Troy. Two midpack starts