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  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The first month of the five-month AMA EA Sports Supercross Series presented by Speed Stick is completed and at least one thing is decided -- Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath are the class of the field. Coming into this Saturday's race, Feb. 2, at Edison International Field in Anaheim, Calif., Carmichael and McGrath each have two victories and are tied in the series standings. This weekend's race will not decide the 2001 championship, but it just might determine the King of the West. McGrath won the opening race in Anaheim on Jan. 6, and came back two weeks later to take Anaheim II. Meanwhile Carmichael took wins at round two in San Diego and last weekend in Phoenix aboard his Chevy Trucks Kawasaki KX250. Anaheim III will serve as a tiebreaker between Carmichael and McGrath as the series completes its West Coast swing. While the third and final Supercross event this year in Anaheim is yet another round in the battle between Carmichael and McGrath, it looms critical for other competitors in the series. If any rider hopes to step up to join the leading duo as a true title contender, a victory this weekend is crucial. After just four of 16 races, Carmichael and McGrath have clearly gapped the rest of the competitors with 92 points each. Mike LaRocco's two podium finishes and 78 points puts the Amsoil Honda rider in good position should either McGrath or Carmichael make a mistake. As for the rest of the series riders, the picture is not quite as encouraging. Factory Honda rider Ezra Lusk is making a solid comeback after sitting out last year's series with injury. Lusk is fourth in the standings, but with 67 points the Georgian is already a full race win (25 points) behind the leaders. Suzuki's Kevin Windham and Yamaha rider David Vuillemin -- fifth and sixth in the standings with 63 and 61 points, respectively -- have both shown the ability to run up front, but not on a consistent basis. Windham is working to get accustomed to his factory Suzuki after riding for Honda last year; and Vuillemin, who was the pre-season favorite to give McGrath a run for his money, is riding with sore ribs. If the Frenchman manages to get back to full strength expect to see him working hard to get back in the title hunt. The 125cc Western Region Supercross Series is already halfway complete and the pattern is set. 1999 AMA Rookie of the Year Ernesto Fonseca and his factory Yamaha YZ250F four-stroke is the combo to beat as long as he keeps the bike running. He's had trouble restarting the little thumper several times and that has already cost him one race. Fonseca's Yamaha of Troy 19-year-old teammate Justin Buckelew, made a costly mistake in Phoenix last Saturday, crashing in the first turn on the opening lap. That mistake cost Buckelew the series lead and may loom even larger if the series battle goes to the wire. For immediate post-race results, rider information, AMA Pro Racing notes and news, log on to www.amaproracing.com. ® AMA Pro Racing NASCAR Winston Cup Series NASCAR Busch Series NASCAR Goody's Dash Series NASCAR All Pro Series NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series NASCAR Weekly Racing Series ASA-ACDELCO Racin' Florida Style
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