Ricky Carmichael has clinched his final AMA Supercross/Motocross championship, by wrapping up the 2006 Motocross crown with victory at Binghamton on Sunday.
Carmichael took the title with two races remaining and pushed his career total to a record 10 consecutive titles dating back to his rookie year in 1997.
The Suzuki star's already comfortable task was made easier when series runner-up Chad Reed announced that he would sit out the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury, meaning RC started the event needing only to finish 17th in the first moto to clinch the crown.
But in typical Carmichael fashion, the Floridian went out and won the first moto, then followed that up with a come-from-behind victory over Kawasaki's James Stewart in the second moto, to take his eighth overall win of the season and a record 143rd of his career.
"I feel really fortunate; it's been a great career," said Carmichael, who announced earlier this season that 2006 was going to be his last full season of AMA Supercross/Motocross. "The way I look at it; if I keep racing I'm going to get beat. You have to know when your time is and I'm happy with what I've accomplished in my career. I have some other opportunities and look forward to seeing what they have in store for me. I'm glad I could go out on top."
Stewart finished second on the day with a 2-2 moto finishes, while Honda's Kevin Windham was third with 3-3 results.
In the Motocross Lites class, Suzuki's Broc Hepler won the first moto and then followed that up with a strong third in the second outing to take his second overall win of the season.
Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto finished second on the day with a 4-1 moto finish and took charge of the championship standings after KTM's Mike Alessi finished 12th overall (38-4). Yamaha rookie Josh Hill was third with 2-5 results.
The Toyota AMA Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, takes a one-week layoff before heading to Delmont on September 3 for the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Steel City National.
