Buchanan, MI - July 06, 2004
By Steve Cox

Team Honda’s Ricky Carmichael had perhaps his most dominant performance of the year on the Fourth of July in Buchanan, Michigan, topping both motos by massive margins on his way to his 101st AMA National win.

“I knew that the starts would be important today, but with the rain and all, I thought it would be a one-lined track,” Carmichael said. “But it turned out to be good. The Richies did a good job. They made it harder, rougher, and there were some good jumps, and I think we were all happy to finally see an outdoor with some good jumps. It was a good day and a good weekend for me.”

Carmichael grabbed the holeshot at the start of the first moto with his Honda teammate Ernesto Fonseca in tow. Not even halfway through the first lap, Yamaha’s Chad Reed took over the second spot, but the two had already lost touch with the fleeting Carmichael. Carmichael ended up taking the checkered flag over 42 seconds in front of Reed, while Amsoil/Chaparral Honda’s Kevin Windham finished third after starting around 30th.

“The day went pretty well, especially considering my start in the first moto,” Windham said. “I started like 30th, so I was really excited to get up to third.”

Moto two started much like the first, except this time Carmichael led Reed and Windham. Still, Carmichael pulled away slowly at first, and then quicker as the laps wore down.

“They’re trying to pick up the pace, and so am I,” Carmichael said. “I look at areas where I think they’re better than I am, and that’s where I try to capitalize.”

Windham went to work on Reed, and he made the pass stick early in the race.

“ I think it was in the whoops,” Reed said of where Windham made the pass. “I was just really struggling in the whoops, and I don’t know why. I couldn’t get a good rhythm, and every lap I would just try to get through there and try to be consistent. They were tough. I really like this track. It’s my favorite track. It rained, and it was still a great track. You know, I had a lot of fun this weekend, and like I said, the second moto I felt really good but I wasn’t able to get up there again.

“The second moto, I felt a lot better and got third, so that’s kind of weird. But I’m just trying to work and keep doing what I’m doing and try to get up there."

Windham’s second-moto second-place secured that position for him overall as well.

“ The second moto was really cool when Chad and I were battling, and fortunately I was able to get second,” Windham said. “But it’s a lot the same as what he said. We’re not worried about each other at the moment, we’re just focused on getting better and picking up the pace and hanging with Ricky. We’ve got to work on that and be quick out of the gate.”

But no one could halt the Ricky Carmichael freight train.

“Over the last two weeks, I just did my thing like these guys,” Carmichael said. “They’re trying to pick up the pace, and so am I. I look at areas where I think they’re better than I am, and that’s where I try to capitalize. I’m always trying to improve.”

AMA/Chevrolet Red Bud 250cc National Overall Results:
1. Ricky Carmichael, 1-1
2. Kevin Windham, 3-2
3. Chad Reed, 2-3
4. David Vuillemin, 5-4
5. Ernesto Fonseca, 10-5
6. Mike LaRocco, 9-6
7. Nick Wey, 7-8
8. Timmy Ferry, 6-9
9. Sebastien Tortelli, 4-15
10. Joaquim Rodrigues, 8-11

AMA/Chevrolet 250cc National Points Standings (After 5 of 12 rounds):
1. Ricky Carmichael (250/5 wins)
2. Chad Reed (210)
3. Kevin Windham (200)
4. David Vuillemin (165)
5. Michael Byrne (127)
6. Heath Voss (110)
7. Ernesto Fonseca (105)
8. Nick Wey (103)
9. Timmy Ferry (101)
10. Sean Hamblin (92)