Budds Creek, MD - June 21, 2004
By Steve Cox

Ricky Carmichael is already the first and only AMA Motocross rider ever to hit the double digits in career National Championships, scoring his 10th at the conclusion of the 2003 AMA/Chevy Trucks 250cc National Motocross Championship. After sitting out his 2004 AMA Supercross title defense with a healing knee, his return to his bread and butter – the AMA National Motocross Championships – has returned him to the top of the sport. At Budds Creek, he achieved yet another amazing milestone, becoming the first rider ever to break into the triple digits in career National wins (including 125cc Nationals, 250cc Nationals and 250cc Supercross), scoring his 100th win in a dominating two-moto sweep of the 250cc National field.

“The wins are something that just happens,” Carmichael said of his impressive tally. “I really don’t worry about it that much, but I drive back to the airport every weekend just like, ‘Damn.’ I just can’t believe it. I just have to sit back and chuckle at it because it’s almost unbelievable to be up there with guys like Jeremy and guys like that. I’ve got to try to keep winning so Bubba doesn’t close in too close. As long as I’m winning, we’re staying the same. If anybody’s going to beat it, he’s going to be the guy, and this is a lot of races. I was thinking about it while I was out there, just like, ‘Damn, 100 races not even counting my 125 supercrosses, that’s a lot of laps, a lot of sweat, a lot of pissed-off moments, a lot of times with my family where things weren’t good, but things have worked out great.’ The track was awesome today. It’s hard for me to elaborate on it other than it’s just amazing. It’s hard for me to fathom what I’ve done because I’m just out there doing what I love to do.”

His day wasn’t entirely perfect, though. After starting fourth in the first moto behind three YZ450Fs (Heath Voss, David Vuillemin and Chad Reed), he quickly went to work, putting Vuillemin back to fourth right off, then Voss to third later in the first lap. RC chased Reed for a couple laps before putting the move on him for the lead and pulling a few seconds on the game Aussie. A couple of laps later, Carmichael fell, and it took him nine kicks to get his big thumper running again. He re-entered the race behind Reed again, but before that same lap was out, he passed Reed back and took off again, eventually winning the moto by about six seconds over Reed, who had a much bigger gap over Vuillemin in third. Kevin Windham came through from a poor start for fourth by virtue of a late-race pass on current World Supercross Champion Heath Voss.

“Ricky’s riding great, riding strong and riding fast,” Reed said of his rival. “I know I have some work to do, but I’m just trying to chip away. I’m working hard during the week to try and get some speed to be up there. The Yamaha guys are doing a great job and they’re giving me a bike I can be comfortable on. It seems like every week, I’m getting closer, making small changes, so I’m having fun out there, and that’s the main thing.”

Carmichael had one moto to go before securing his incredible 100th win. “I want to win this outdoor title, if I win every moto I do, if I don’t, we want to win the title, and that’s the main thing,” Carmichael said.

Moto two was all Carmichael, as he grabbed a big holeshot to start the race and pulled out to a comfortable lead right away. Reed started third behind Vuillemin, and he made quick work of his teammate.

“I don’t think I had the speed to follow them,” Vuillemin said. “That’s why I kind of moved out of the way with Chad the second moto, because I knew I could stay in front of him for a couple laps, but it would just mess him up, so I just rode for third. I’m happy to be on the podium. It’s kind of tough for me because I’m not an MX rider, so it’s good.”

Reed chased Carmichael valiantly, and he kept the champ honest throughout the moto, eventually finishing just about eight seconds behind Carmichael.

“I want to keep chipping away, and Ricky rides outdoors great, and supercross, so I need to build a better base, be stronger, and work on my speed,” Reed said. “I feel great. I feel better than I ever have outdoors, it’s just my speed. I need to get my corners down and my lines and just be really consistent and fast like Ricky is. I look forward to the challenge, and that’s what Ricky makes us all do is work hard to challenge him. It’s fun. I enjoy that.”

Carmichael had done the unthinkable, though, at only 24 years of age, he has won 100 career AMA National races – more than any other rider in AMA competition, not just in motocross. But he’s not resting on his laurels any time soon.

“I have a big goal next year, and that’s 250 Supercross,” Carmichael said. “I didn’t get to defend my title this year, and that’s the first time that has ever happened for me. It’s a personal goal for me. I’m not setting out to try to destroy anyone, I want to do it for myself. I don’t want to prove that I can beat Bubba or I can beat Chad, I want to prove to myself that I can come back and do it. I know what it takes, and I know it’s going to be a long season. I look forward to it. It’s going to be a very special year in the sport with Bubba and Chad and myself. It’s the most hype, and hopefully we all can race the first race. I know sometimes when there’s a lot of hype like that, something happens and the ball gets dropped and there’s a mishap somewhere. Hopefully it’ll be good, and that’s what motivates me.”

It’s 100, and counting.

AMA/Chevrolet Budds Creek 250cc National Overall Results:
1. Ricky Carmichael, 1-1
2. Chad Reed, 2-2
3. David Vuillemin, 3-3
4. Kevin Windham, 4-5
5. Michael Byrne, 7-6
6. Ernesto Fonseca, 6-7
7. Heath Voss, 5-9
8. Timmy Ferry, 14-4
9. James Povolny, 9-11
10. Johnny Aubert, 8-13