AMAIChevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship Series
ports Center
ANOTHER PERFECT DAV FOR R.C.
Steele of Carmichael's first start,
shaking his head and dropping his
microphone to the ground.
Believe it. Ricky Carmichael's for
real, and next week, at the SoBe
National at Steel City Raceway in
Delmont, Pennsylvania, he will
attempt to pulJ off one of the most
amazing feats not only in motocross
history, but in all of motorsports - a
perfect season.
Is Carmichael nervous about keeping the stei'!k going? You bet he is.
But he's been doing a great job all
year, taking the press questions in
stride, being humble, sometimes
humorous, and always excited about
the sport he was bred to dominate.
By PATRICK SMITH
PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN
BINGHAMTON, NY, AUG. 25
t was one of those visions that will
remain with anybody that was
watching the start of the 250cc motos
at Binghamton's Broome-Tioga
Sports Center. It was just amazing.
Honda's Ricky Carmichael wheelied
damned near the entire start straight,
taking time to look back at the rest of
the field at the three-quarter mark
before diving in and railing the first
turn - twice - en route to victories
number 21 and 22 of the season.
"I can't believe what I just saw,"
said ESPN announcer Cameron
O
8
SEPTEMBER 4, 2002'
cue
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"I look at it like this," Carmichael
said. "Yeah, I want to sweep the
entire season, win all the motos. I've
come this far, and sure, I would be
disappointed if I didn't. But I also
have to put it into perspective in that
I've had an incredible year. I set out
to win the overall title for Honda and
did just that. If something happens at
Steel City and I don't sweep, I'll be
bummed, for sure. But I won't dwell
on it. This is the best season I've ever
had racing, and I'm looking forward
to next Sunday at Steel City."
While the fans that came to see
Carmichael were transfixed on his
number-4 CR250 and customary
orange-and-black Fox riding gear,
(Above) Thia waa about aa close aa
anyone got to Ricky Carmichael (4) all
day. The Team Honda rider took the
holeshot In both outinga and ran off
with moto wlna number 21 and 22.
Here, Carmichael leada John Dowel
(16), Mike laRocco (5), Kyle Lewla
(23), Sean Hamblin (99) the res1 of the
pack out of Broome-Tioga'a first tum.
there were plenty more fans in attendance for the racing. And there was
actually some great individual and
pack battles going on throughout the
afternoon.
Joining Carmichael on the podium
were Amsoil/Dr. Martens/Journeys/
Honda's Mike LaRocco (2-2) and
