Photo Special – The U. S. Open – 2001

It was October at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas. RC’s first race for Honda. McGrath and Pastrana return to racing. RC swepts.



It was Ricky Carmichael’s first race for Honda. Jeremy McGrath and Travis Pastrana made their return to racing after time away. But Ricky Carmichael swept both nights of action.



Carmichael was dominant in Friday night’s main, taking the victory. Tim Ferry looked good on the big YZ four-stroke, and finshed second. Mike LaRocco was his usual hard charging self for third. Jeremy McGrath was fast, but had a bobble in the main event that dropped him back, he finished fourth. Kevin Windham won his heat, got fifth in the main.



Carmichael was again dominant Saturday night on his Honda. Two motos – two wins – overall champ. He won this event last year too. McGrath was equally as impressive – he crashed in the first corner, restarted last, and came all the way back to second. Kevin Windham finished third. Kelly Smith had a nice ride on his KTM for fourth, and Mike LaRocco rounded out the top five. Travis Pastrana didn’t seem to be suffering any effects from previous injuries. He finished ninth both nights.

Photos by Scott Cox



function OpenWindow(url, width, height) { window.open(url, ‘img’, ‘resizable, width=’+width+’,height=’+height+”); }

fKevin Windham waiting to be introduced to the Las Vegas crowd	Kevin Windham practicing starts	Kevin Windham thru the outside corner
United States Marine Co.	Start!	All the KTM Juniors!
Grant Langston & David Pingree	Jeremy McGrath – nice helmet huh?	KTM Motocross Team Manager Ron Heben
Travis Pastrana waiting to be introduced	Travis P. practicing starts	Elvis, Elvis, Elvis, Elvis …. AKA The KTM Juniors!
Selvaraj parties with Elvis, Elvis, and Elvis!	Eric P. He helped turn the idea of a US Open into reality.	Travis Pastrana
Jeremy McGrath returned to racing. He finished second overall.	Jeremy McGrath	Mike LaRocco
Mike LaRocco	Steve Lamson	Kelly Smith
John Dowd – check out that helmet!	Tim Ferry	Ricky Carmichael. First race on Honda. He won.
Kelly Smith – Team KTM	Tim Ferry – waiting to be introduced.	Johnny Dowd – he’s a freak! Still going strong at 80 … 90 … however old he is!!!
RC (Ricky Carmichael)	Mike Brown – 125 National Champ	Mike Brown v.2
Brock Sellards	Arenacross Champ Buddy Antunez