WASHOUGAL, Wash. (July 30, 2006) – Kawasaki’s James Stewart took advantage of a late-race crash by Ricky Carmichael in the second moto today to win before a crowd of 27,442 at the Unbound Energy National at Washougal Motocross Park, round eight of the 12-race Toyota AMA Motocross Championship, presented by FMF. Honda’s Andrew Short was the AMA Motocross Lites winner.

Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., who is currently battling injuries sustained earlier in the season, took home the overall win with a 2-1 moto finish and returned to the top of the podium, earning his second overall win of the season. Suzuki’s Carmichael, of Tallahassee, Fla., wound up second overall with a 1-2 finish and saw his six-race win streak come to an end. Yamaha’s Chad Reed, of Tampa, Fla., was third (3-3).

After seeing Carmichael come from behind to win the first moto, Stewart again saw an early lead slip away when Carmichael made a pass late in moto two. However, with two laps to go, Carmichael made an uncharacteristic mistake and crashed, handing the lead and the overall win to Stewart.

“It feels good to be back … it was a hard road to get here,” said Stewart, who has missed five motos due to crashes and injuries. “I think the last three months I’ve ridden three weeks (due to injuries) and I told myself that I’m (going out there) for the team and for the fans. Once he got by me I was trying to keep him close. With a couple laps to go, fortunately I was able to take advantage.”

Short, of Murrieta, Calif., picked up his second win of the season with a 1-1 sweep of the motos. Honda’s Josh Grant, of Riverside, Calif., was second overall with a 2-3. KTM’s Mike Alessi, of Victorville, Calif., finished third (3-4) and took over the top spot in the AMA Motocross Lites point standings. Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, who is a local favorite from Poulsbo, Wash., relinquished his series lead after a bike failure in the first moto left him with a 40-2, good for sixth overall.

After three consecutive weekends of racing, the Toyota AMA Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, takes a much deserved week off before heading to Millville, Minn., on July 30, for the Honda Spring Creek National.

AMA Toyota Motocross Championships, presented by FMF

The Unbound Energy Washougal National

Washougal Motocross Park – Washougal, Wash.

Round 8 of 12 – July 30, 2006

Motocross (Moto Finish)

James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 2-1
Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 1-2
Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 3-3
Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 4-6
Tim Ferry, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha, 7-4
Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 6-5
Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 5-7
David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 8-9
Daniel Sani, Clovis, Calif., Honda, 10-10
Michael Byrne, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki, 6-8


Motocross Class Point Standings

Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 389
Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 313
Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 269
Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 261
Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 226
James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 211
David Vuillemin, Frisco, Tex., Yamaha, 206
Nicholas Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Honda, 202
Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Honda, 178
Joshua Summey, Stanley, N.C., Honda, 129


Motocross Lites (Moto Finish)

Andrew Short, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 2-33
Joshua Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 19-4
Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 3-3
Troy Adams, Brooksville, Fla., Kawasaki, 6-5
Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Yamaha, 5-14
Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 40-2
Nathan Ramsey, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 14-6
Danny Smith, Middleton, Id., Honda, 10-10
Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 15-7
Christopher Gosselaar, Victorville, Calif., Kawasaki, 7-15


Motocross Lites Point Standings

Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 315
Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 312
Andrew Short, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 280
Joshua Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 261
Andrew McFarlane, Newport Beach, Calif., 229
Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 226
Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., KTM, 168
Troy Adams, Brooksville, Fla., Kawasaki, 143
Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Yamaha, 136
Broc Hepler, Kittanning, Pa., Suzuki, 133