-Carmichael wins third straight SX title
-Reed wins his sixth straight supercross main event
-Stewart crashes out with a concussion and injured shoulder
-Short wins the 125 East/West Shootout
It may have been Chad Reed’s night under the lights in Las Vegasduring the series finale at Sam Boyd Stadium, but the season still belonged toHonda’s Ricky Carmichael. Carmichael rode calm and collected to take his thirdstraight supercross title. Despite winning the last six events, it was toolittle too late for Reed to take the title. If not for a few early series jittersand 250 supercross rookie mistakes, the series could very well have belonged toYamaha and Reed. "I wanted to do the best I could out there tonight, and Iknew I could not control what was happening behind me," said Reed. "Imade some rookie mistakes this season, and Carmichael won the championship. Iwant to dedicate this win to James Stewart."
With all eyes on the talents of Stewart aboard his number one Kawasaki, his biggest nightmare occurred. Stewart was by far the fastest rider slated to ride the 125 East/West Shootout but that wasn’tenough to overcome a mistake that cost him the race and possibly the 125outdoor championship. During the main event, Stewart bobbled while leading andwas forced to regroup after losing several positions. During his charge to the front, he over jumped a double and landed at the base of a third jump. As soon as he hit the jump the rear kicked him over the bike and the result was a nasty crash face first into the ground near the mechanics pit board area. Stewart was carted off to the Asterisk mobile medical facility for observation while the race wore on. Suzuki’s Andrew Short rode an awesome race to win the shootout.125 East Coast champion Brandon Jesseman was not able to race the shootout dueto an injured thumb during a slow speed practice crash before the event.
Carmichael won the championship but couldthis have been his last? Reed stepped up and did what few thought was possible,defeat Ricky. In the minds of the fans and the possibly Carmichael himself,Reed proved that no matter how dominate you are at one point there is always another rider gunning to do whatever it takes to meet and or beat that opposition.
The ’03 supercross season has officiallyclosed its doors and now it is off to the outdoor nationals where Carmichaelwill again have to face his adversaries.
125cc Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout Results 1. Andrew Short 2. Ivan Tedesco 3. Michael Byrne 4. Josh Hansen 5. Christopher Gosselaar 6. Mike Brown 7. Steve Mertens 8. Brock Sellards 9. Billy Laninovich 10.Kevin Johnson Las Vegas Results 1. Chad Reed 2. Ricky Carmichael 3. Ernesto Fonseca 4. Tim Ferry 5. Nick Wey 6. Josh Demuth 7. Larry Ward 8. Heath Voss 9. Keith Johnson 10.Clark Stiles 250cc AMA Supercross Series Final Season Standings 1. Ricky Carmichael 367 2. Chad Reed 360 3. Ernesto Fonseca 225 4. Nick Wey, Dewitt 203 5. Tim Ferry 195 6. Heath Voss 179 7. David Vuillemin 169 8. Larry Ward 163 9. Ezra Lusk 149 10. Keith Johnson 149 250cc THQ World Supercross GP Final Season Standings 1. Chad Reed 401 2. Heath Voss 261 3. Tim Ferry 258 4. Keith Johnson 251 5. David Vuillemin 238 6. Ryan Clark 223 7. Mike LaRocco 136 8. Damon Huffman 124 9. Sebastien Tortelli 121 10.Brian Mason 98
