Ricky Carmichael took his fourth consecutive AMA Supercross win in Saturday night's third and final visit to Angel Stadium, Anaheim, making the Floridian the only Suzuki rider in history to achieve such a feat.
Kawasaki's Michael Byrne earned the $1,500 Butterfinger Crisp Holeshot Award but kept the lead for only a short time before Carmichael grabbed the position from him.
Meanwhile, reigning AMA champion Chad Reed became caught up in some first turn mayhem – but would eventually fight his way back to second. Fellow Australian Byrne finished third to complete the podium.
"It was a pretty steady main event for me once Chad got hung up in the first turn," said Carmichael, who is now 29-points ahead of Reed in the AMA battle and 29-points clear of Mike LaRocco in the World SX GP standings. "Sometimes it's about who the smartest guy is, we're all running pretty close. It's just about being smart."
In the 125cc West class, Kawasaki's reigning champion Ivan Tedesco won his second race of the year after leading from the end of lap one to the chequered flag. Honda's Billy Laninovich claimed second while KTM's Nathan Ramsey took third.
"This race was a lot more technical. The track was a little tougher, but I seem to do better on the more technical tracks," said Tedesco.
Tedesco, already the points leader coming into the event, has now widened the gap between himself and nearest rival Danny Smith to 29 points.
Racing moves on to Indianapolis' RCA Dome next Saturday, February 12 for the first 125cc East round.
Results - 250cc AMA Supercross/World SX GP:
1. Ricky Carmichael - Suzuki
2. Chad Reed - Yamaha
3. Michael Byrne - Kawasaki
4. David Vuillemin - Yamaha
5. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda
6. Mike LaRocco - Honda
7. Nick Wey - Honda
8. Travis Preston - Honda
9. Tyler Evans - Suzuki
10. Ryan Clark - Yamaha
250cc AMA Supercross standings:
1. Ricky Carmichael - Suzuki, 120
2. Chad Reed - Yamaha, 91
3. Mike LaRocco - Honda, 81
4. Kevin Windham - Honda, 80
5. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda, 74
6. Nick Wey - Honda, 73
7. David Vuillemin - Yamaha, 67
8. Sebastien Tortelli - Suzuki, 65
9. Michael Byrne - Kawasaki, 64
10. Heath Voss - Yamaha, 55
