Carmichael Wins Night One

| October 14, 2000

Chevy Trucks/Kawasaki rider Ricky Carmichael was untouchable in tonight’s main event at the THQ U.S. Open, coming out of the first turn first despite a bad jump and then walking away from the field. At first it looked like new Team Suzuki rider Kevin Windham might give Carmichael a challenge, but Windham had trouble breathing in the tight confines of the arena and started to pump up. Workhorse Mike LaRocco capitalized, moving by on the 17th of 25 laps and taking the runner-up spot on his Dr. Martens/Journeys/Factory Connection/Amsoil Honda

Windham managed to hold on for third, while teammate (for one race) Damon Huffman faded from a near-holeshot to fourth. Heath Voss put in an impressive ride for top privateer and fifth place, with Motoworld Yamaha’s Greg Schnell next and Bill’s Pipes/Axo Suzuki’s Buddy Antunez in seventh. Larry Ward took eighth in one of his final rides for Chevy Trucks/Kawasaki, one position aheaed of Australian Michael Byrne, representing Cycle News for an impressive seventh on our test bike. Ryan Hughes was running strong near the beginning, but crashed and finished out in the 10th position.

250 MAIN RESULTS: 1. Ricky Carmichael (Kaw); 2. Mike LaRocco (Hon); 3. Kevin Windham (Suz); 4. Damon Huffman (Suz); 5. Heath Voss (Hon); 6. Greg Schnell (Yam); 7. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 8. Larry Ward (Kaw); 9. Michael Byrne (Hon); 10. Ryan Hughes (Hon); 11. John Dowd (Kaw); 12. Steve Lamson (Hon); 13. Phil Lawrence (Yam).

By Freelance