TOUGH BREAKS CONTINUE FOR JAMES IN HOUSTON
Houston’s Reliant Stadium played host to round 13 of the 2012 AMA Supercross Series on Saturday night, and some of the biggest news heading into the weekend was no doubt the return of JS7 to the series. After sitting out of last weekend’s race in Toronto thanks to the lingering effects of his heat race crash in Indianapolis two weeks ago, James and team decided to give it a go in Houston despite a severe lack of seat time prior to the event. “I’ve only been on the bike once since Indy, so I just plan on taking it one lap at a time here in Houston,” James said just before practice. “I’m not gonna lie… I’m pretty sore. But I really wanted to come out here for the team and my fans to give it all I’ve got.”
Rolling to the line for Supercross Heat #2 after a Ryan Villopoto win in the first qualifier, James wasted little time getting back into the racing groove, as he grabbed the holeshot and early lead aboard his JGRMX Yamaha. After an intense back-and-forth battle with Kevin Windham, JS7 slowly began opening up a gap, and eventually crossed the checkers with a satisfying heat race win.
When the gate dropped for the main event, James got a decent jump, but unfortunately got pinched off and shoved back to just outside the top-10 through turn one. After making a few passes early on, disaster struck on lap seven when James went down hard at the end of a tricky rhythm section. Unable to remount and finish the race, JS7 exited the stadium in utter disbelief. Physically banged up and mentally frustrated, James looks forward to a much-needed week off, but hopes to come back strong in New Orleans two weeks from now.
SUPERCROSS RESULTS
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. Davi Millsaps
3. Jake Weimer
4. Mike Alessi
5. Justin Brayton
6. Robert Kiniry
7. Broc Tickle
8. Nico Izzi
9. Weston Peick
10. Josh Grant
