Carmichael celebrates fifth Supercross crown.

Ricky Carmichael earned his fifth - and perhaps final - Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series championship by earning a runner-up finish in the series finale at a sold-out Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 6.

Carmichael came into the finale tied with Yamaha's Chad Reed, with red-hot Kawasaki ace James Stewart only five-points back. In the race, Stewart once again disappeared out front, while Carmichael was able to hold off Reed to take the title by just two-points.

With Stewart and Reed left tied on points for second in the standings, the 2006 championship was the closest three-way title battle in the history of the series. However, Stewart's superior number of wins gave him the runner-up position behind Carmichael and he also comfortably won the World Supercross GP title.

"All week I was thinking about this race," said Ricky. "I wasn't feeling super confident coming into Vegas, but I talked myself into this one. Chad's always done well here and I just went out and rode as hard as I could. I tried to set my sights on James and not concentrate on where Chad was."

"It's hard to beat that first one against Jeremy (McGrath)," Carmichael added, when asked how this championship compared to the other four he's won. "This one is really special though since I'm going part time next year. This is a great way to go out. I can't say enough for Suzuki and my entire team.

"I've been in a slump, but everyone came together and was really behind me. I'm pumped about the way this championship went down. Chad and James are great competitors and it's awesome to come out on top in such a tight battle for the championship against these guys."

The latest triumph marks the 14th AMA national title for Carmichael who, in addition to his five AMA Supercross Series titles, has also won the AMA Motocross Championship six times and the AMA Motocross Lites (formerly 125) title three times. He also earned a regional title, the AMA Supercross Lites East in 1998.

This year Carmichael took six AMA Supercross wins, which pushed his career AMA Supercross wins total to 46. He is second only to Jeremy McGrath on the series all-time series wins list.

Suzuki has already announced that Carmichael will remain with the team for three more years - but will only race in select events after this season. Carmichael however, did not rule out another run at the AMA Supercross Series in 2007.

"If I come out and do well in the early rounds next year there's nothing to say I won't go for the championship," Carmichael said. "I have that option."

After a brief break Carmichael is set to defend his AMA Motocross Championship title as the 2006 series begins on May 20-21 at the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, California.