Ricky Carmichael injured in San Bernardino

Stewart Captures AMA Motocross Championship Season Finale at Glen Helen

It is not yet know if Carmichael will be fit for the Motocross of Nations at Matterley Basin. © Suzuki Racing. On a day that was supposed to celebrate the final full season of competition for newly-crowned AMA Motocross Champion Ricky Carmichael, it was Kawasaki's James Stewart that stole the thunder as he took advantage of an injury to Carmichael to capture the Toyota AMA Motocross Championship season finale at Giant RV Glen Helen National. Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto was the AMA Motocross Lites winner and clinched the season championship.

Bubba Stewart settled in behind Carmichael in the first moto when the 10-time AMA Motocross champ went down on lap six, which handed the victory to Stewart, who also cruised to the second moto win and the 1-1 moto sweep.

In the crash, Carmichael suffered a contusion to his left shoulder and was forced to sit out the second moto. Ricky was flown back to Florida after crashing and it is not yet know if he will be fit for the Motocross of Nations at Matterley Basin in Winchester, England on September 24th.

Carmichael's Makita Suzuki Team Manager, Roger DeCoster told the Team Suzuki Press Office: “Ricky was in the lead and had just passed Stewart and seemed to lose the front end. He has hurt his shoulder and is already on the plane back to Florida. He is in big pain but we will not know the extent of his injuries until tomorrow morning after he has seen his doctor.”

Honda's Davi Millsaps put in a strong 3-2 moto finish to earn second place overall, while Honda teammate Travis Preston, earned his first podium of the season with a third place finish (4-3).

James Stewart: “I felt good in practice yesterday and today and it really helped in the motos. I was pretty close to Carmichael where I could see him when he went down. He caught an edge and just went right over. It was pretty bad. I hope he's alright.”

Villopoto put in another solid ride en route to his sixth win of the season. He entered Glen Helen with a 29-point advantage over KTM's Mike Alessi but easily won the AMA Motocross Lites championship by a comfortable 35-point advantage. Alessi posted a 2-2 moto finish for second overall, with Kawasaki's Ben Townley, a New Zealander who resides in Tallahassee, Fla., during the season, finishing in third place (3-3).
(AMA Pro Racing)