This Week in Kawasaki SX History: Daytona 2000
Thursday, March 3, 2011 | 1:05 PM
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PrintWith an outdoor motocross style layout, no race on the supercross tour favors the rough track specialists like Daytona. And that’s why the Daytona Supercross has helped bridge the gap for outdoor stars to supercross success.
For example, by 1993, Mike Kiedrowski was already well on his way to a hall-of-fame career in AMA Motocross, logging a pair of 125 National Championships and a 500cc title, and by the end of that season, he would be 250 Motocross Champion as well.
But supercross never came as easily to the MX Kied, and it took four seasons in the 250 class for him to finally collect his first victory. And it happened, of course, at Daytona.
The trend repeated itself seven years later. The world was waiting for Ricky Carmichael to take it to Jeremy McGrath in supercross. After obliterating the amateur ranks as a kid, and dominating 125 supercross and motocross as a pro, it seemed like 250 success was inevitable. But RC’s debut 250 season in 1999 was a disaster. Highlight reel crashes dotted his season, and he never ended up seeing much of McGrath.
RC used Daytona as a launching pad to Supercross success.
Photo: Fran Kuhn
During the 2000 tour, Ricky rode with more consistency, but he was merely a top five or podium threat. He still didn’t show the natural supercross talent needed to topple McGrath for wins or titles.
Then came his breakthrough at Daytona. Carmichael jumped out to the early lead there, and while McGrath climbed into second, he couldn’t catch the then-20-year-old Floridian and on a KX250.
Carmichael’s toughness allowed him to finally beat McGrath, and he quickly gained confidence via fitness. RC has always been fast enough and tough enough to win before, but he would have to bring his training to another level if he wanted to outduel the King.
He wouldn’t win another supercross race that season, but he did land the AMA 250 Motocross Title later that summer. He hooked up with trainer Aldon Baker and got in shape, and by the time 2001 rolled around, he was read to take on—and beat—The King.
But the genesis of it all came in Daytona in 2000, when Carmichael won his first-ever 250 supercross.
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I like what he said at A1 The next year, He more less said he let MC win that won (his 72nd and LAST win) Because I new he was not going to win anymore!! LOL and he never did.
actually MC won again in 2001 at Anaheim 2
MC won rounds 1 & 3 while RC won the rest 13 in a row with fourteen total! Or is my memory failing me?
OK it must have been round 3 were it was MC's last win.
Daytona 2000 is on youtube, RC dominated!
Oh man reading this article gave me chills because I remember watching those early years in the 250 class for RC. He took a beating his first two years in SX and would get right back up. Then when he rattled off 13 wins and was never defeated in outdoors was truley amazing. I can remember all of that as if it were yesterday and taking place. Long live the GOAT I will always remember getting to talk to him and his wife at Washougal before the weekend started two years in a row. Thanks for great memories Ricky!
Even though MC has the record for 14 straight wins I feel RC 13 in a row was more dominant BECAUSE MC was there. He totally got into his head and McGrath was never the same...regrettably.
MC was on his way out also,,, lets not forget that ....
RC was a killer at that race, but MC was and still is the King. When RC beat him for the title, MC was 29. But MC was still beating everyone else on the track. If it wasnt for RC, MC wins the title again. So he wasnt too far on his way out. But I agree he wasnt at his peak either. Would have loved to see a full season of RC at his fastest, and Mcgrath at his fastest. But it is wishful thinking.
The Kings of Daytona were first Hannah, then Stanton, Kiedrowski and last was RC. We have yet to see a new King crowned although, there is a strong argument to be made for Reed. He's got 2 (could've been 3) there but, RV or JS could match that number this Saturday. Very interesting season so far..........
Those Chevy Trucks Kawasakis were soooo nice,,,
AMA please bring back 2 strokes...
BillC.. I do not think he(RC) said it like that.. A2 was the race... RC made an aggressive past... And few corners later he let MC by... He afterwards said.. he did not want to pass MC in such a way.. He wanted to do it clean.. Out of respect. And that was the last time MC ever won...
And RC is the king of Daytona.. No doubt!
And when it comes to sportmanship.. RC was and still is a class act!
He said it on the show last Sunday. He did not say it that day but he new it then he said.