Carmichael, who is racing a limited six-race schedule this season as he makes the transition into four-wheel stock car racing, and archrival James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., renewed their rivalry and turned in another two-man battle for the overall win.

After Stewart narrowly won the first moto, Carmichael showed the determination that has made him the sport’s all-time winner, walking away with the second moto win and the overall victory and his seventh overall at Hangtown.

“I do feel like this sport is in (their) hands,” said Carmichael, referring to his exit as the sport’s top rider. “I’m glad that I’m here for the first five races to provide the fans with some good racing. Now that I’m a fan, it’s not fun to come watch a race when there’s no one racing out there. ”

Stewart took home second (1-4) ahead of his Kawasaki teammate Timmy Ferry, of Largo, Fla., who was third with a 3-3 moto finish. Townley made a strong return in his opening race after spending a majority of last season on the injured list.

A former world champion, Townley out dueled his fellow Kawasaki teammate and reigning AMA Motocross Lites Champion Ryan Villopoto to earn his first overall win in the U.S. His 2-1 moto finish bettered the 1-2 finishes of Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash. Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., was third with a 3-3. Townley and Villopoto are tied atop the standings with 47 points apiece. Dungey is third with 40 points.

“I really didn’t know what to expect today” commented Townley. “My season has started well and I got a lot of momentum going after the Supercross although I got caught up in the first moto and didn’t ride how I should have. I was frustrated and went back and assessed the race with the guys and we changed a few settings on the bike. The hole-shot helped a lot. I got the lead and rode really consistent, put my laps down and picked some good lines. Once I got into my own rhythm I rode like I know how and it was a whole different Ben Townley out there.”  

Round two of the 12-race AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, takes place in Mt. Morris, Pa., on May 26-27, for the Kawasaki/Monster Energy High Point National, presented by Centra Bank.

AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF Honda Hangtown Classic, presented by MDK Motorsports Hangtown Motocross Park – Sacramento, Calif. Round 1 of 12 Motocross (Moto Finish) Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 2-1 James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 1-4 Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Honda, 3-3 Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 5-2 Grant Langston, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha, 6-5 Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 4-9 Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 8-6 Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 7-8 Michael Byrne, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki, 9-10 David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 15-7

Motocross Class Point Standings Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 47 James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 43 Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Honda, 40 Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 38 Grant Langston, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha, 31 Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 30 Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 28 Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 27 Michael Byrne, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki, 23 David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 20

Motocross Lites (Moto Finish) Ben Townley, Tallahassee, Fla., Kawasaki, 2-1 Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 1-2 Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 3-3 Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 4-6 Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 7-4 Jason Lawrence, Murrieta, Ga., Suzuki, 5-5 Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 6-8 Broc Tickle, Cary, N.C., Yamaha, 8-7 Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha, 12-10 Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 15-9

Motocross Lites Point Standings Ben Townley, Tallahassee, Fla., Kawasaki, 47 Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 47 Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 40 Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 33 Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 32 Jason Lawrence, Murrieta, Ga., Suzuki, 32 Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 28 Broc Tickle, Cary, N.C., Yamaha, 27 Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha, 20 Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 18