rpm.espn.com: Carmichael wins third straight

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Sunday, February 11
Carmichael wins third straight
By B.J. Smith
Motoworld.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- Judging by how Ricky Carmichael has ridden the past few weeks, he wants to get one thing straight: this championship is his. For the third week in a row, Carmichael took the field by storm, this time winning the 250cc main event at the RCA Dome by 12 seconds over championship rival and defending champion, Jeremy McGrath.

RC made an even bolder statement in Indy by setting two records in an era that has seen every record obliterated by seven-time Supercross champ, McGrath. Carmichael became the first rider to win three SX races in a row since McGrath joined the series in 1993. The Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki rider became the first Kawasaki rider ever to win three races in a row.

Carmichael took the holeshot and quickly pulled a lead over Yamaha riders Tim Ferry and McGrath and Honda-mounted Ezra Lusk. RC has proved how dangerous he can be when he gets the start and when McGrath struggled to get around Ferry the race the fans came to see clearly was not going to happen.

"This year, when I get a good start, I feel more comfortable," Carmichael said. "I've learned how to ride the pace and stay in control for the entire race."

And stay in control was all Carmichael had to do to win this race. By the time McGrath passed Ferry, Carmichael had an eight-second lead and was still pulling. With Carmichael checked out and McGrath a comfortable four seconds ahead of Ferry, the real racing was for third. Lusk took over third on Lap 12 and Sebastien Tortelli came from off the pace to put the pressure on his Honda teammate for the final podium spot. Ferry dropped off the pace and Tortelli stayed glued to the back tire of Lusk, trying everything possible to net his best finish of the year, but Lusk held off the fast French for third.

"The start is really important right now," McGrath said. "There was nowhere to pass Ferry and I got stuck riding his race for a while. I was doing everything I could to get around him and when I did, I couldn't even see RC. Six points isn't a whole lot. I'll get back in there."

"Like MC said, I got a good start and the track was really hard to pass on," said an excited Carmichael. "When you get a good start it's a lot easier to win races. Jeremy (McGrath) and I have been running 1-2 each week and it's still going to be a long season. But, once I had a good lead, it was a fun race."

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