Suzuki's Ricky Carmichael has won his sixth AMA Supercross race of the year after recovering from a fall to defeat reigning champion Chad Reed in a thrilling main event fight witnessed by 62,764 fans, on Saturday night at Atlanta's Georgia Dome.
Reed, winner last time out at San Diego, claimed the $1,500 Butterfinger Holeshot award with Carmichael in tow for the first six laps. On lap 6, Carmichael moved into the lead, but crashed a lap later, falling to third place behind Reed and Hondas Kevin Windham.
But that was far from the end: Carmichael charged back, catching and passing Reed for the lead on lap 16 before the Australian moved back ahead. It would be lap 18 that Carmichael eventually re-passed Reed for good - and rode off to his sixth career 250cc Atlanta Supercross win in the process. Reed was second and Windham third.
"It was a fight out there all night," said Carmichael. "When I crashed, I didn't think I had the time to catch back up and give Chad a run. This place has been really good to me over the years. From here on out, it's all about keeping the momentum going."
In the 125cc East event, new Kawasaki rider Grant Langston won his first Supercross race since Dallas 2001. After winning the Butterfinger Holeshot Award, Langston was passed by team-mate Matt Walker, who controlled the race until lap 8 when he made a mistake, allowing Langston back past.
The South African would go on to take victory ahead of Walker with Honda's Steve Boniface third.
"It was a great race with Matt (Walker) and I tonight," said Langston. "It's great to race up there with your team-mate in front of a big crowd. Matt made a mistake on lap 8, and I was able to capitalise on it."
Racing moves to St. Louis ' Edward Jones Dome next Saturday, March 5.
Results - 250cc AMA Supercross/World SX GP:
1. Ricky Carmichael - Suzuki
2. Chad Reed - Yamaha
3. Kevin Windham - Honda
4. Sebastien Tortelli - Suzuki
5. Mike LaRocco - Honda
6. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda
7. Heath Voss - Yamaha
8. David Vuillemin - Yamaha
9. Jeremy McGrath - Honda
10. Tyler Evans - Suzuki
250cc AMA Supercross standings:
1. Ricky Carmichael - Suzuki, 192
2. Chad Reed - Yamaha, 160
3. Kevin Windham - Honda, 136
4. Mike LaRocco - Honda, 135
5. David Vuillemin - Yamaha, 114
6. Sebastien Tortelli - Suzuki, 112
7. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda, 108
8. Heath Voss - Yamaha, 95
9. Michael Byrne - Kawasaki, 90
10. Nick Wey - Honda, 73
