Stewart
aiming for AMA milestone
(AMA Pro Racing Release)
The 2007 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series is shaping up to be a
breakthrough campaign for Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart. Early
this season Stewart is leapfrogging from one major accomplishment to the
next in the series. Last week the top-ranked Stewart became the first
rider in history to sweep the trio of Anaheim Supercross races. Fresh off
of that achievement Stewart comes to this Saturday’s (Feb. 10) Houston
Supercross in Reliant Stadium with the opportunity to move into the
top-10 on the all-time AMA Supercross wins list.
Stewart’s victory last Saturday in Anaheim was the 15th in his career. If
he earns the win this weekend Stewart will tie Hall of Famer Jean-Michel
Bayle for 10th on the all-time AMA Supercross wins list.
Stewart’s run to the record books is a major accomplishment considering
this is only his third year in the series. It’s even more impressive when
you factor in that Stewart missed most of his rookie year in the main AMA
Supercross class due to injury.
Last week Stewart pulled off what even Supercross King Jeremy McGrath
never was able to do and that’s win all three rounds at Angel Stadium.
“It feels good to be the first to win all three,” Stewart said in the
Anaheim III post-race press conference. “Especially when you consider all
the great riders who have ridden here. It’s a tremendous accomplishment
for me.”
Stewart comes into Reliant Stadium with good memories of the Houston
Supercross. He’s won the race the previous two seasons. Houston is a
historic race, which dates back to the earliest days of AMA Supercross in
1974, when the race was first held in the Astrodome.
While Stewart is favored to become only the fourth rider in history to
win the Houston Supercross three years in a row, he is facing increasing
pressure from Chad Reed of L&M San Manuel Yamaha. Last week the leading
duo had a great race for the lead in Anaheim. Reed, the 2004 AMA
Supercross Champion from Australia, has made nearly a complete recovery
from a pre-season testing crash that broke his shoulder. Reed has healed
while riding and has kept himself in the championship hunt. He trails
Stewart by 18-points coming into Houston. A race win is worth 25 points.
“I’ve worked hard to get back to the point where I can fight for wins,”
said Reed, a two-time Houston Supercross winner. “My bike is coming
around and is getting to the point where it’s fun to race. I’m looking
forward to the rest of the season.”
Tim Ferry came through to earn a podium finish last weekend on his
Monster Energy Kawasaki. Ferry said he is hoping to remain consistent and
healthy for the rest of the season.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto continued his
dominance of the AMA Supercross Lites West Series by winning his fourth
in five starts last weekend. The youngster from Poulsbo, Wash., took the
win in Anaheim despite suffering a bad cold. “I was feeling under the
weather, but once the race started I didn’t feel the sickness at all,”
Villopoto said.
Villopoto comes into Houston with a solid 31-point lead over Boost Mobile
Yamaha’s Jason Lawrence with just three rounds remaining. Sobe/No
Fear/Samsung Honda’s Jake Weimer is a distant third.
The Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series round from Houston will air on
CBS, Sunday, Feb. 11, at noon eastern.
Tickets for the Houston Supercross at Reliant are TM Foley's, Fiesta and
Wherehouse Music all Ticketmaster outlets, select participating Yamaha
Dealers, or charge by phone at 713-629-3700.
Doors open at 12:30 pm for fans to watch practice and qualifying. A
special Family Section is also available for non-alcoholic family fun.
When ordering tickets through Ticketmaster, request Family Section for an
alcohol-free family atmosphere.
