The Yoshimura Suzuki rider returned from a string of injuries and the birth of his son, to finish 15th.
By Hayden Gregory
It was a long time coming for James Stewart, but the American rider finally completed a full round of National competition. It has been a horrendous year both on and off the track for James and round eight of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship should be used as a huge stepping stone.
Stewart burst into qualifying, clocking his Suzuki RM-Z450 in the eighth fastest time of 81 riders. The one time champ then recorded a tenth place finish in the first moto before falling off the pace in the second to end in 35th.
“I got an OK start and then got passed by a few guys,” Stewart said. “I kind of settled-in and passed a few more guys and some of them went down and I got 10th. It was pretty solid. With all the stuff going on in my personal life I haven’t been able to ride as much. The second moto I was trying, but almost hit the deck a few times. It got to the point where I pulled out and I was bummed out about that.”
Stewart was just happy to be back racing again and is set on improving each week for the rest of the championship.
“I’m happy to be back out here racing,” he stated. “I know what I need to do and that’s get more seat-time to be able to race. The track was tough all day, especially in that second moto. I want to thank the team. I’m going to keep pushing here and building-up and I think Washougal should be better for sure.”
Round nine of the Lucas Oil Motocross season will head to Washougal this Saturday July 23rd.
