Archive for April 2009
James Takes Win Number 11 In SLC!
The AMA Supercross series made its return to Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday night after a five-year hiatus, and James celebrated by taking home his 11th win of the series! Leading up to the main, James once again laid down the fastest qualifying lap times of the day on the rough, challenging Rice-Eccles Stadium circuit, and then proceeded to take a convincing heat race win en route to the night’s main event.
Despite chilly temperatures that dipped into the low 40s, all eyes of the enthusiastic Utah crowd were on the battle for the lead, as things quickly heated between James and series rival Chad Reed. With Reed capturing the holeshot to kick off the race, James wasted no time as he moved into the second spot and went to work on Reed’s lines. Despite making passes on laps four and eight that didn’t stick, James remained patient, stalking Reed for a few more laps before eventually taking over the lead for good on lap 12. Motoring on to another impressive victory, James extended his points lead to six with just one more round of action to go!
“That was a fun race for me,” James told us at the end of the night. “Chad and I passed each other several times, which always makes things exciting. He was on it tonight, and I almost crashed a few times, so it was a challenge. We have one more race to go next weekend in Las Vegas, so I’ll continue working hard all week to try to bring home that number one plate.”
Check out James on ESPN’s E:60-4/28, 7p.m. ET
Don’t forget to set your TiVo for James Stewart’s first-ever profile on ESPN’s award-winning primetime newsmagazine, E:60. The piece will profile Stewart in an episode airing Tuesday, April 28, at 7 p.m. ET. E:60, which launched in October 2007, combines investigative reporting, in-depth profiles of intriguing sports personalities and features on emerging star athletes. The following is from ESPN’s press release:
“Stewart is often called the “Tiger Woods” of his sport and is arguably the most dominant athlete in competition today. The first African-American in history to win a major motorsports title, Stewart has not only broken numerous records, he has broken racial barriers as well. He now earns more than $10 million annually and is on the verge of winning his second AMA Supercross championship.
But Stewart’s rise to the top was not easy. His father collected cans to help pay for his son’s racing. And James had to come to terms with being different, both in the all-black neighborhood where he grew up and on the all-white racetracks where he competed. Now one of the most popular riders in Supercross, Stewart for the first time talks openly with E:60′s Michael Smith about the racism he has endured at the racetrack. On the track, he wins with a style all his own, and off the track, he hasn’t forgotten where he came from.”
Show your support for James by tuning in!
