PICKERINGTON, Ohio (February 1, 2006) – Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart have one win apiece at Angel Stadium so far in this year’s Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series. On Saturday, Feb. 4, the two riders will have an opportunity to settle the score as to who is the 2006 King of Anaheim, as the three-act drama in front of an expected 40,000-plus fans at Angel Stadium comes to a close.
Kawasaki’s Stewart took the first win at Anaheim I on Jan. 7, to open the 2006 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series. Defending champ Carmichael then rode his factory Makita Suzuki to victory in Anaheim II on Jan. 21. Only two points separate series leader Carmichael from Stewart. Whoever manages to win at Angel Stadium will have a slight edge as the series moves on to San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium on Feb. 11. Of course, Yamaha’s Chad Reed is hoping to have his breakthrough win this weekend as are a host of other top riders including Ivan Tedesco, Mike LaRocco and Michael Byrne.
Stewart closed the gap on Carmichael with a victory in the rain drenched San Francisco Supercross last Saturday. Stewart and Carmichael battled for the lead much of the race in spite of the treacherous conditions. It was Stewart coming out victorious to earn his second win of the season in the AMA series. Reed, who was second in the series standings going into San Francisco, dropped to third with a fifth-place result last week. The Australian will have some work to do this weekend to close the points margin on the two series leaders.
“I think Ricky and I have been on the same pace at almost every race this year,