"So far this season has been the one that Supercross fans have been waiting for," Carmichael said. "James [Stewart] has the speed, Chad [Reed] has been consistent, while I’ve been plugging away and getting victories where I can. It’s a long season and a lot of things can happen. I look forward to another good battle in San Diego."
Stewart has been the fastest rider at most races this season, but that speed has come at a cost. The Kawasaki factory rider crashed three times on a slick, hard-packed Anaheim Supercross track last weekend and fell to third in the standings, 14 points behind Carmichael, after a season worst eighth-place.
The youngest of the "Big Three" will be looking to get back on track this weekend in his first San Diego appearance in the premier Supercross class.
Another rider to watch for in San Diego is Carmichael’s Suzuki team-mate Ivan Tedesco. The two-time AMA Supercross Lites West champ is starting to find his speed on the bigger bikes. He scored his first AMA Supercross podium finish last weekend and hopes to build on that success.
"Tonight was a great night for me and for Suzuki," said Tedesco after the Anaheim race. "It’s been a goal of mine all year to get on the box and I finally put it all together tonight and was able to put in 20 consistent laps on my Makita Suzuki RM-Z450. I’m not used to running up front yet but I’m getting more comfortable with it. I’m looking forward to taking this to San Diego next weekend."
Former San Diego Supercross winners David Vuillemin and Jeremy McGrath are also expected to be in the field Saturday.
Saturday will be the last AMA Supercross Lites West round before a two-month break while the series moves back east.
The Lites West Series is one of the best in years with the top four riders running within seven points in the standings after five rounds. Monster Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Grant Langston holds a one-point lead over Honda’s Andrew Short after Langston earned his second win of the season last weekend in Anaheim.
