James Stewart has concluded the 2006 racing season in perfect style by beating AMA champion Ricky Carmichael on both nights at the Las Vegas based US Open.
The Kawasaki rider took a relatively simple Friday night victory after Carmichael fell at the first turn and had to fight his way through the field to second, in front of Kevin Windham.
However, Saturday night saw the two icons of Supercross locked together at the front - with Stewart slowly edging away in the closing stages, until he stalled his four-stroke and was hit by Carmichael! RC, who recently announced the start of a new NASCAR career alongside his part-time race duties in 2007, was slower to recover and crossed the line second to Stewart with David Vuillemin third.
"James stalled his bike and I had nowhere to go," confirmed Carmichael. "But I surprised myself this weekend. I didn't expect to do this after hurting my shoulder (in the AMA Motocross season finale). I can't complain, I've been very fortunate and this race gives me a lot of confidence going into the World Supercross rounds."
The 2006/2007 World Supercross GP season will start in Toronto Canada in December.
US Open overall results - Supercross class:
1: James Stewart (Kawasaki)
2: Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki)
3: Kevin Windham (Honda)
4: David Vuillemin (Honda)
5: Tim Ferry (Kawasaki
6: Michael Byrne, Kawasaki)
7: Ivan Tedesco (Suzuki)
8: Chad Johnson (Suzuki)
9: Cole Siebler (Honda)
10: Josh Demuth (Honda)
Supercross Lites class:
1: Josh Grant (Honda)
2: Jake Weimer (Honda)
3: Chris Gosselaar (Kawasaki)
4: Justin Brayton (Yamaha)
5: Steve Boniface (Honda)
6: Ben Townley (Kawasaki)
7: Troy Adams (Suzuki)
8: Kelly Smith (Suzuki)
9: Thomas Hahn (Honda)
10: Sean Collier (Yamaha)
