Carmichael, Stewart set records at Southwick.

Ricky Carmichael set a new Southwick record of five 250cc wins on Sunday as the reigning AMA Motocross champion dominated both motos at the deep sandy circuit.

The victory was Carmichael's 99th in AMA competition and, having won all three events in the 2004 outdoor season, the Floridian is now expected to reach a landmark 100 next time out at Budds Creek.

"I'm having a great time so far this year," said Ricky, who missed the Supercross season to have knee reconstruction. "If I'm able to win my 100th race next week it will be pretty special."

The Honda rider broke clear of Yamaha's Chad Reed early in both motos, but the Australian still claimed his best ever result at the circuit and has now moved ahead of Kevin Windham to hold the runner-up position in the current championship standings. Windham was third overall with 3-3 finishes.

In the 125cc class, James 'Bubba' Stewart matched Carmichael's 1-1 dominance, but was made to work a lot harder after two poor starts. The Kawasaki's stars victory means the #259 has now won at every venue in the championship. Southwick had been the only track of the 12 circuits where he hadn't won, having missed last year's race with an injury and being left sixth in 2002 after mechanical problems.

"My starts were really bad like they've been all year," Stewart admitted. "The first couple of laps were tough because they watered the track a lot and it was muddy in spots and it sort of turned into a one-line track. In the second moto I accidentally took all the tear-offs off my goggles and had a little problem seeing, but once out front everything was good."

Former AMA champ Mike Brown finished second to Stewart and moved into second in the point standings. Honda's Nathan Ramsey was third for his first podium of the season, moving 'Nate Dog' from fifth to third in the standings.