Written by:
Denny Hartwig
Earlier this year, Team San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., put together a seven-race win streak after starting the season in 19th place. It’s been a year of playing catch up for Stewart, who is the 2007 AMA Supercross class champion, and his win at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium brought him within five points of current leader Chad Reed. This Saturday as Monster Energy® Supercross, an FIM World Championship, returns to Seattle’s Qwest Field, he has his sights on his third consecutive win and a shot at closing Reed’s lead to just two points.
At the last AMA Supercross class race, Stewart earned his 10th win of the season at the inaugural Monster Energy® Supercross race at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. The win was pivotal in Stewart’s pursuit of his second AMA Supercross class championship. Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Mike Alessi, of Victorville, Calif., started the AMA Supercross class main event by grabbing the holeshot followed closely by his teammate Reed. Reed moved past Alessi in turn two and secured the lead while Stewart snuck into second place.
Stewart tried to set Reed up in a few different sections but the Australian held his ground. Stewart stalked Reed for 13 long laps before he made a pass on the defending champion. Reed answered back and took over the lead on the same lap. Just one lap later, Stewart re-passed Reed and rode to his second career double-digit win season. Reed finished second and GEICO Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham, of Centerville, Miss. brought home third.
While battling for the lead in Jacksonville, Stewart and Reed collided in the air over the massive triple jump. Following the race, Reed questioned Stewart’s tactic.
"I learned a lot tonight,” said Reed. “I learned how he wants to play the game. When you jump across someone in the air, that is not cool, and I don’t want to play like that. I told him that if he wants to be dangerous and crazy and try and put me in the hospital like he did my teammate, I will do it too. He rode solid, but I don’t appreciate mid-air collisions on triples. I’ve have never given up at any point of my career, and I am going to keep fighting all the way down to Las Vegas.”
