James Stewart Pre-U.S. Open Interview
At this stage of the season, it’s crunch time for all of the teams and riders as they prepare their new machinery for battle. Luckily, James was cool enough to invite us to tag along with him today while he and the San Manuel team utilized the Yamaha test track in Corona, California to do a few last-minute setup changes to the 2010 Yamaha that James will race on this weekend at the U.S. Open. Yes, that’s right, James will indeed compete in his first-ever race aboard the all-new YZ450F in Vegas Friday night. Come back to JS7.com tomorrow for a photo gallery from the testing session, but for now, sit back and enjoy this one-on-one interview with the Champ!
Alright James, no racing for five months, but in a couple of days you’ll be back on the gate with a completely new bike. Describe your feelings in this week leading up to the U.S. Open…
I feel good. I’ve been back on the bike for a little over a month and a half now, so I definitely don’t feel like I’m rusty… Just trying to stay sharp. But I am really excited for this weekend, because you’re right. It has been a while since I’ve actually raced, plus the new bike adds some excitement, too. I’m not really that nervous, though; it’s not A1, so I’m okay.
Some of the top riders choose to skip pre-season races like the U.S. Open, but you’ve always seemed to enjoy these races. What keeps you coming back, is it just a good warm-up for you?
Well, a lot of times I end up going but I don’t end up racing, so… (laughs). But no, especially this year, with me not racing outdoors, it’s just a good chance to get a race in and see where I’m at… But I feel like if I went to A1 now, I’d be fine. I’ve been pretty good about coming off a long break and not feeling too rusty. But hopefully this weekend will be fun; I just want to go have a good time out there, not only for me and the team, but also for the fans. It’s been a long time since they’ve seen JS out there racing, and I’m going to drop the number one plate on ‘em this weekend, so it should be good!
Do you have plans on doing other pre-season races, or just the U.S. Open?
Yeah, I’m definitely going to do Bercy, but I’m also going to do Italy and Australia. So I have four races between now and A1; it should be pretty good. I’m excited to see where we’re at with everything. There will be some strong competition out there this weekend, should be good racing.
So the big question: How is the all-new 2010 Yamaha YZ450F? It’s obviously a completely different bike, and by now you’ve had some time on it. What are your thoughts so far?
For me, it’s unbelievable. There’s a night-and-day difference from last year’s, but it’s also a night-and-day difference from anything I’ve ever ridden, period. We’re just out here riding today, not that far into testing, and I already feel like I’m on the best motorcycle I’ve ever ridden in my life. It’s a great motorcycle, but rather than sit here and talk about every little strength, I’d rather let the results speak for themselves, and the people that have rode it already know… You won’t know until you buy one, but put it this way; I expect that this thing is going to do a lot of damage this year!
New bike, new number… What else is changing in the program next year?
Well, my hair is longer (laughs); about three inches so far compared to last year. Ha ha, no, that’s about it. New bike, new number, but still the same JS.
What about the new French addition to the pits? Eric Sorby is now helping you out, right?
I’ve been friends with Eric since the first year he came through, and he’s been a great friend to me for my whole career. It’s nice to have people like him around, you know, and he’s around the same age as me, so it’s always just nice to have another rider’s input. People like Johnny O’, Rick Johnson, Larry Brooks… It’s nice to have people who have actually been out there and done it on your side, giving you advice at the races and adding their input. So not only is Eric a good friend, but he’s also an asset to the team.
A few weeks ago you officially announced “Bubba’s World,” a new reality show on Fuel TV. What should fans expect from it?
You know, I don’t know what you should expect with that (laughs). I can say that it was definitely fun to make, and it actually went pretty quick. We did a lot of filming, and I went and did a lot of things I have never done. I expect that you’ll at least get a good behind-the-scenes view into my world, but it should be pretty funny, too.
Most reality shows either stear towards heavy drama or big laughs and comedy. Which is yours?
I don’t know; I’d say it’s actually a little bit of both. There is definitely some comedy, but some good action and drama mixed in there, too… There is some alligator wrestling, a little bit of everything… (laughs) No, but seriously, it’s my family, you know, and it’s just who we are. We have a good time, there’s stuff that goes on that you just wouldn’t believe. It’s awesome, man, it’s been really fun. I think people are going to like it.
Obviously you’re the star of the show, but will all of the members of your family each have their own part, as well?
Yeah, everybody has their own part; my mom, my dad, my brother, Eric, Todd Potter was in one episode… Basically, all of the people around me are included. So, it’s cool; even if you don’t like me, there may be someone you do like, like my mom or something, that keeps you coming back. So its cool, kinda’ like “Entourage” or something, where people fall in love with their favorite character and watch it because of that person. I mean, I hope it’s me, but you never know… (laughs) It should be fun.
Did it ever get to the point where you were sick of having a camera in your face at all times?
No, I actually enjoyed it. When you go out, and you have cameras all around you and everything, it’s cool. You go to a nightclub or a mall or whatever, and all these cameras are following you, people are checking you out, wondering what you’re up to and everything. It was honestly just fun for me, and believe it or not I actually kind of miss it. But that’s okay, hopefully we’ll start filming for the second season pretty soon, which will be exciting.
Okay, back to racing. If things go your way in Vegas this weekend, what are you going to do with all that loot? What’s the next toy to add to your fleet?
You know, I think I’m retiring from that: No more toys. (long pause) No, I’m just playing! (laughs) But really, at this point I’m not even thinking of that, I just want to go win. I’ve never won that Trifecta, and things are a little different this year, so now I have to rely on my mechanics. The pressure is on them. But it’ll be good, there will be some stiff competition there so there should be some good racing. If I do win it, I’m gonna’ buy everyone a smoothie, how’s that? (laughs)
When you go to a race like that, do you start thinking of the money possibilities and how much you could feasibly win before you even get there, or do you just wait and see what happens at the end of the weekend?
Of course it crosses my mind, but not much, really. If I was only going for the money, I’d have pulled a Chad Reed and cleaned everybody out in the first corner, so… (laughs). Last year, I knew my starts weren’t that good, so I wasn’t going to go in there and risk the whole race for the money. I think I may be the only guy to ever pull close to two hundred grand out of that place twice now, though, and that’s always nice, don’t get me wrong. You’re all excited from winning the race, then they bring down this big $200,000 check to you, and that’s nice too! (Laughs)
So say you do take it; what do you do the next morning when you wake up in Vegas with that check sitting next to you? Go crazy and put $50,000 on the roulette table?
Nah, I’m all talk when it comes to that stuff. After the Supercross finale in Vegas, I walked out of there with 50 grand cash, and I thought cool, I’m going to go blow this! But when it came down to it, I just couldn’t throw it away like that. I’m not a big spender; I get pissed when I lose five bucks! I’m the type of person that needs to have something to show for it if I’m going to spend a bunch of money. I don’t mind spending money on a car or something because I can see it; but I don’t want to give it to the casinos to pay their electric bill!
