Carmichael and Stewart Win Red Bud Nationals - And the beat goes on… After making several mistakes in the opening moto at Red Bud Track ‘N Trail National and finishing a close second to James Stewart, Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael, after starting outside the top 10 in the second moto, executed a sensational, masterful charge to the front of the field, catching Stewart in the waning moments of the moto ands forcing the Kawasaki rider — who has yet to beat Carmichael for an overall victory in the Motocross class in 2007 — into a mistake that saw Stewart hit the ground in a slow speed turn. The win, the 149th of Carmichael’s otherworldly career, sees him undefeated in the first five Nationals of the season. Interestingly, Carmichael will now sit out the next five rounds, before making the last AMA Pro Racing appearance of his career at Spring Creek Motocross Park on Sunday, August 12.

“I didn’t get the best start in either moto,” said Carmichael following the second moto. “And in the second moto, I had to pass a lot of riders on the first lap, which put me in position for the rest of the race. I put my head down and got behind James but I was unable to do anything. Unfortunately, James had some bad luck and fell down. That allowed me to move into the lead.” Third overall at the Red Bud Track “N Trail National in Buchanan, Michigan went to Mike Alessi, who pulled both holeshots aboard his powerful KTM, then set about keeping both Stewart and Carmichael at times, placing third in both motos. Fourth overall fell to Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry, while Andrew Short (Honda) and Kevin Windham (team Sobe/No Fear/Samsung/Honda) finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

In the 250F-based AMA National Motocross Lites Championship fight, Ryan Villopoto won his second consecutive National, and like he did at Budds Creek, the teenager used a double moto sweep to get the job done. Second in both motos was Villopoto’s Kawasaki/Pro Circuit teammate, Ben Townely. The class of the division, Villopoto and Townley have taken control of the title fight, Villopoto now leading the points chase with 238 points to Townley’s 214.

“I have won the last four motos,” said Villopoto. “We (Townley and Villopoto) are both going to be battling for the win next weekend in Unadilla.”

Third at Red Bud was SoBe/No Fear/Samsung/Honda rider Josh Grant. Grant’s 4-3 moto scores now move him to third in the AMA Lites Championship. Yamaha of Troy’s Jason Lawrence finished fourth overall at Red Bud, while Jake Weimer had a great afternoon to place a promising fifth overall.

The 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Series will now move eastward for round six that will take place at the legendary Unadilla, New York circuit on Sunday, July 15, 2007.