Millville: Class Act

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Donny Schmit was one of my favorites, a real class act. Millville remembers the American World Champion. Commemorative pic by GuyB.

My Condolences

To all who have recently lost loved ones.

"The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity." ~Seneca

No, really. This IS Jason Lawrence's Ferrari 599

Motocross.com's Kristin Beat spent some time with "Out"Law at the X Games. So this beautiful, 600 horsepower V12 Ferrari actually belongs to Jason, ESPN did not rent it for him or anything of the sort. Check it out:

Surprisingly, Jason drove the car safely and flawlessly. From the parking lot to the pit entrance Jason was nothing but a calm gentleman. Even approaching parking security whom were hesitant to let J-Law pull the car in, Jason was patient and respectful. The pristine vehicle safely returned to the pits where it was parked on display in front of his motor home. J-Law may not have taken home a medal at X-Games, but I’m sure he had fun with his new toy regardless.

Did I say I was a little jealous? Now I'm even jealous of Kristen. How much of a Ferrari-loving wimp am I?

Chad Reed: "Maybe you’ll see me at Steel City"

Eric Johnson, one of the premier writers in motosports, talked with Reed about his new deal and Racer X put it online. Chad Reed has become eminently quotable:

I had an amazing experience and a great time at Yamaha. I definitely worked with some lifelong friends—Keith McCarty and his crew, I have nothing but respect for those guys, but I think it was time for a change. I needed some new motivation and there were just some different things I felt that I needed to do to be a better rider and that was the team I wanted. I put all my eggs in one basket and I’m glad we got it done.

That's the nice quote. Then Reedy dangled a carrot for his American motocross fans:

I would love to have a race before the Motocross des Nations. Maybe Southwick or Steel City. I really enjoy Steel City. The Coombs family puts on a great show there and it’ll be on a Saturday afternoon, so it’ll kind of be like a supercross. I don’t know…. Maybe if I get into shape and get up to speed and get comfortable, maybe you’ll see me at Steel City.

Okay, that would make ME want to go to Steel City, and I live in California!

But what he said about the team and the bike that Carmichael developed and rode to such dominance, well, that's why you should go read
"5 Minutes with... Chad Reed" at Racer X Online.

But before you go, ponder this: in 2009, Chad will be on Ricky's old bike with Roger DeCoster managing the team, while it is "rumored" that James Stewart will be on Chad's old bike with Larry Brooks managing the team. Things that make you go "Hmm..."

New Rockstar: Chad Reed on Suzuki

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And he's taking the number 1 plate with him.

Chad Reed (correction: Two-time Supercross Champion Chad Reed) announced his new deal with Rockstar Makita Suzuki, and it sounds like a one year, supercross-mostly contract, if I'm reading this press release on VitalMX right:

Reed will race the 2009 AMA Supercross series and other selected events in the United States as well as compete in supercross events in his home country of Australia aboard his Suzuki EFI RM-Z450.

Nice looking bike, SuperX. Let's see what you can do on it. GuyB on the case.

X Games: This is Jason Lawrence's Ferrari 599

Well, it's the one he was driving at the X games (shown here outside Jlaw's Monster'd motor home), according to Trip at VitalMX:

X Games does give the bigger names flashy cars for the week they are here. I heard the car was his agents, maybe X Games rented it for him? It had a little Monster sticker in the back window.

Okay... I'll just admit to being a little jealous, sure, but is this just another example of ESPN playing the nation's top motorcycle talent? And the racers don't care because it feels so good to be treated like the moneymakers that they are!

Loretta Lynn's: Historical Style

I confess I don't know who this young man is [update: it's P.J. Larsen, winner of the Motocross A Pro Sport championship and co-winner of the AMA Horizon award]. The shot is from Amateur MX Magazine's Thursday report and it is uncaptioned. But it is so cool.

Loretta Lynn's: Racing Royalty

Eli Tomac won 6 titles this year at the Ranch. For a while, he was known as the son of mountain bike legend, John Tomac. Now he's known for his own multiple national championships. I'd like to see him turn pro on a Suzuki; wonder if Roger's thinking the same way? This great shot is from Impound #22, Chris Hultner's LL and Ponca City wrap up at Amateur MX Magazine, where you can catch even more videos of both amateur nationals.

The Eyes of the Industry

That's the caption for this shot from The Pulse: Loretta Lynn's Edition, Andy's wrap up over at MXSports.com (where you can also catch all five days of MX Sports Center episodes). Holy cow, that was the 27th running of the AMA Air Nautiques Amateur National Championship Finals! Some might have different opinions, but I think LL's has got to be the single most important race for aspiring professional motocross racers in the country, if not the world. If you kick ass at Hurricane Mills, Tennessee against the hot shoes that show up there, you can probably kick ass pretty much anywhere. That's why these guys, representing the top teams, are watching.

Smiles come in threes

Everybody gets this picture. Steve Bruhn shooting the soul of MX.

Actually, there is no "X" in motocross...

... and there is no "I" in team, blah blah blah, so what, right? I just wanted to run this Steve Bruhn/Racetime photo of some off-weekend amateur action straight outta Birmingham, Alabama's Warrior MX. "Amateur action" sounds kinda nasty, doesn't it?

X Games: ESPN giveth and ESPN taketh away

I'm reading an intensely interesting book right now, "The New Media Monopoly" by Ben Bagdikian, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who also happens to be dean emeritus of the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California at Berkeley. In one chapter, Bagdikian describes the power plays implemented by the huge Gannett media conglomerate in the late '70's, when they were attempting to merge with another large media company, the Combined Communications Corporation (catchy name, huh?). Bagdikian wrote, "At the time, it was the biggest media merger in the country."

However, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was reluctant to approve the merger for numerous reasons, not the least of which was the fact that outside groups were complaining about Gannett's record on hiring women and minorities. The author goes on to describe how Gannett went into action, making highly visible (yet still profitable to the company) moves to show the public it was positively responding to the charges. The FCC approved the merger, and one would think all was right with the world. But Bagdikian presents evidence that the merger only served to strengthen Gannett's media monopolies in a growing number of markets in America.

Whew.

This year, ESPN (or EXPN, whatever), for the first time in 14 years, has opened up the X Games to professional female motocross racers. Personally, I find this amazing... amazing that it has taken this long, and amazing that it is happening at all. But the people behind the X Games went even further in this sudden inclusiveness and created an event for physically-challenged motorcycle racers. Yes, the motorcycle portion (called "Moto X" in their lingo) of the X Games now specifically includes women and minorities. Well, a very special, very small minority. The message to the world is very clear: the X Games are good.

Which makes their "Darkmane" ad campaign even more infuriating to me. But I'll get into that later.

Now, I don't mean to imply that the X Games ever intentionally EXCLUDED women and any minorities in any of their previous broadcasts. The fact is, I have no idea how they decided who to invite to their games, or how they decided which sports would be included. It is obvious, though, that ESPN has fully embraced showcasing the dirtbike aspect of X, to the point where they now realistically compete with the traditional supercross and motocross promoters for the top talent in racing. Moto X World Championships, anyone?

And that is the point. Racers have made it no secret that the X Games people treat them like the superstars they truly are (or think they are), as opposed to the treatment they usually get from the promoters of the sports in which they make their livelihood. Maybe it's not obvious to most, but ESPN is definitely making a move on the most important part of professional motocross in America, and I'm not talking about the stadiums or the tracks.

Explain how the AMA can ban Jason Lawrence from professional competition, yet he is welcomed to compete in supercross at the X Games? Explain why Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath, both AMA legends and both permanently retired from AMA competition, choose to risk injury to compete for X Games medals (and cash)?

Did anyone say "live television coverage on a major cable channel and broadcast network?" Well, yeah, that's a major part of it, too.

So, back to the original point, does anyone wonder why ESPN decided to include women and the physically-challenged in the X Games lineup? I would like to believe they did it because it's the right thing to do. But my business sense (and the Gannett story) lead me to think that they did so for other reasons, ones that directly or indirectly affect their bottom line. Let's not be childish about this, we're talking about a company owned by Disney, which is, like Gannett, one of the world's largest media conglomerates.

Still, the X Games has got it going on, just admit it Pdub and stop being a hater, some might say to me. Look, I'm fine with most of what the X Games is about. I really like the skating and BMX portions, I'm over the freestyle stuff, I won't get drawn into the manufactured "step up" dramas, I think they finally have figured out how to do supermoto well, I'm glad they have finally embraced real supercross, and I respect them for experimenting with "Moto X Adaptive" for the physically-challenged riders. But the ad campaign this year rubs me the wrong way.

Admittedly, I may be hyper-sensitive, given the increased focus on racism in America due to this historic Presidential election cycle... all that Pennsylvania Primary stuff was nuts!... so when I see ESPN create a supposedly non-racial (he's wearing a mask!) character called "Dark"-something who "hates" X Games athletes and wants to enlist my help in "destroying" the X Games... it just pisses me off that someone confuses that with "creative" and then uses it to promote something that involves the sport I love, motocross.

Yes, what I want is the X Games to get it right, all the way, all the time, in my eyes. Yes, I may be asking too much, but that's only because I set my standards high. We can have great competition shown live on television, events that treat the athletes with respect and advertising that doesn't subversively manipulate the fans. That is not too much to ask.

Rewind: Budds Creek Badass

I found this almost dream-like shot of James Stewart floating through the late afternoon sunlight in Southern Maryland at the Budds Creek National and thought I should share this wallpaper by GuyB. I'll be running this as a desktop for a bit.

Washougal: This is What You Want

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Oh yeah. I tuned into the Racer X webcast to catch the second motos at Washougal and heard the exciting 250 class go to it's unexpected conclusion. Dungey has definitely been coming on these last two races, and when he set the fastest time in the first practice session, people should have guessed that something might be up. Ryan D. had to wrestle with Trey Canard (get well soon, Trey!) before taking the lead in moto two, but once out front he held off the killer. Who else has done that? Townley, last year? The mind boggles...

So Dungey denied Villopoto a Washougal win, something Villo has never been able to accomplish in his stellar, but short career. This actually sets up a fantastic showdown between RV and James Stewart next year!

Tense photo by GuyB.

Washougal: Dungey gets first National win!

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The drummer got himself some more.

Ryan Dungey had the race of his young life on Sunday in Washington, by showing the entire world that the "other" Ryan, Villopoto, is not invincible after all. And in this perfect GuyB photo, Dungey lets it all out. He is definitely feeling it here!

Oh yeah... get down, Mr. Dungey!

Washougal: 18 in a row

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James Stewart rolled to his 9th race win on the year, his 17th and 18th consecutive moto wins, and he came within a handful of points from outright clinching the title at Washougal. No one else could come close on the picturesque circuit. Countdown photo by GuyB.

Washougal: Jessica stops Ashley!

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Reigning WMA Champion Jessica Patterson came back on Sunday to win the second women's moto, taking the overall win as well, stopping points-leader Ashley Fiolek's win streak along the way. It was Patterson's first win of the year. GuyB got the shot.

Washougal: there she goes...

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Ashley. Winning. Washougal WMA Moto 1. Cool pic by GuyB.

Washougal: The Right Stuff

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This is how Ashley Fiolek is dealing with her fractured wrist. Yes, not only is the WMA championship points leader racing with a fractured wrist, she won today's WMA Moto 1 by almost 10 seconds over Jessica Patterson. Ashley has speed and guts, no doubt about it. Photo by GuyB.

Washougal: Ultra Competitive

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... especially if they keep letting GuyB direct their newly-started wrestling careers!

GuyB gets the goods.

Washougal: How could I resist?

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Two WMA competitors, Tatum Sik (left) and Mariana Balbi. Ah... motocross. Have you seen these women on TV yet? You will...

Washougal: Fox Fashion

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"Here it is... BAM! And you say..." Wow, that's a lot of detail. Fox Racing displayed next year's gear at the Washougal National. GuyB kicking asteroid photo.

Washougal: Saturday Symmetry

Some of you will not be surprised to learn that the number 1 qualifiers in both classes today were Kawasaki-mounted racers James Stewart (450) and Ryan Villopoto (250). What's interesting is that the very slowest riders in each class were also on Kawasakis!

In the big bore class, James set a fastest lap of 2:16.263... compare that with the 3:05.559 set by #712 Don W. Proctor of Auburn, Washington on his Kawasaki KX450F. Of course, Don's probably not riding a works bike.

In the quarter liter class, Ryan clocked a 2:16.868, which would have put him in second place among bikes with twice the displacement of his Pro Circuit special. Factory bikes. Back to the point... in this class, the slowest rider/bike combo was Todd J. Carlson of Mt. Vernon, Washington and his Kawasaki KX250F. Todd kept it outta the 3's, but could only manage a 2:52.142.

To be fair, I do not know the circumstances that may have caused these men to run comparatively slower than the rest, and I'm not making fun of them. Not really. My hat's off to these guys that man up and do what it takes to get an AMA pro racing license and get out there on the track when the fast guys come to town. Racing in an AMA National has to be the most common dream for everyone who has ever fixed a set of meaningful numbers to their bike after joining the AMA at the amateur level.

Maybe Don had a flat and Todd's bike bent a valve?

Carl Stone: Unadilla Art

Carl Stone has posted an extraordinary gallery of photos from the Toyota AMA Motocross National at Unadilla. Catch it before it's gone!

Unadilla: Open Class Power

The other side of the shot, and it looks like number 7 is really hooking up in the muck. GuyB turns and fires.

Unadilla: The Fast End of the Gate

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The start of the second 450cc moto. Look at privateer Cody Cooper (902) in the midst of factory rider "slugger's row". Cody raced to a fifth place finish in moto one, and earned the right to slot his "Suzuki City" RM450F between the works Yamaha of Josh Hill (40), the factory Kawasakis of James Stewart (7) and Tim Ferry (15) and Michael Byrne's (26) works Suzuki. Cody went on to finish second in moto two.

Another "GuyB is Everywhere" photo. No really, how does he do it?

Unadilla: Can the drummer get some?

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Dungey got himself some. The factory Suzuki star led several laps of moto 2, finishing 2-2 on the day. Were those his first lead laps of the season? That's Martin Davalos on the MDK KTM getting low on the left. All the signs in the world photo by GuyB.

Unadilla: Flying Fourstrokes

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Kyle Cunningham leading Trey Canard and Brett Metcalfe in the first 250cc moto. Chicken Soup for the Motocross Soul photo by GuyB.

Unadilla: Monster Shot

This shot rocks. The classic crossed-up, feet-up, wheelying powerslide. Soon to be three-time National Champion Villopoto wringing the life out of his Pro Circuit Kawasaki KX250F at Unadilla.

I saw this great Carl Stone photo in a press release over at Racer X.

Team USA 2008

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And here are the guys that are going to accomplish the USA's 19th win at the Motocross of Nations. James Stewart (Monster Energy Kawasaki), Ryan Villopoto (Monster/Pro Circuit Kawasaki) and Tim Ferry (Monster Energy Kawasaki).

The similarities these winners share are astounding. I can't believe the organizers slept on the team t-shirts and hats, though. Wow. Well at least they have the black-and-white paper table name cards... GuyB getting the PR goods.

The background says it all

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This is the Chamberlain Cup, the trophy awarded to the team that wins the Motocross of Nations. The United States has won it 18 times, and on Saturday at Unadilla the AMA announced the team that will go for win number 19 at the Donington Park Circuit in England later this year.

GuyB took this photo of the venerable trophy, and I think the background is striking in a number of ways. While I'm not sure if all of those companies are actually sponsoring Team USA, I think it's safe to say that without the financial commitment of sponsors there would be no American MXoN effort. Which speaks to the nature of our sport as it has become even more professional, a sport that is creating wealth and value for a hopefully growing number of people. What's also interesting is what's missing in this photo: a U.S. flag or any other Team USA insignia.

Unadilla: Practice poetry part 2

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James Stewart flying his factory Kawasaki through the skies of New Berlin, New York. Fastest 450 and having too much fun to be worried about a dude in another series. Unfortunately, the same sunny skies went away on race day. Even still, James went on to win both motos, the second one in a downpour, extending his streak to 16 motos in a row. "Fathead" photo by GuyB.

Unadilla: When is a 250 faster than a 450?

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Ryan Villopoto airs it out on the way to setting the fastest overall time of the day... even faster than James Stewart! GuyB photo.

Unadilla: Honda Red Bull reality

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The Honda Red Bull lineup looked pretty impressive when announced. A series of unfortunate injuries have sidelined a full three-quarters of the team, leaving only their senior-most racer, Andrew Short, to fly the colors. Don't feel sorry for Shorty; he's now running third in the championship standings. GuyB gets the red out pic.

Unadilla: Saturday practice poetry

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Ryan Dungey and his factory Suzuki 250f found the fastest way around the Unadilla circuit on Saturday. Turf's up photo by GuyB.

Transworld Motocross gets Mike Alessi talking

Donn Maeda is one of the best interviewers in motocross. He always seems to get the riders to really open up. He "caught up with... Mike Alessi" here at Transworld Motocross and The M had some pretty eye-opening things to say. He remembers doing well at Red Bud in 2007, and was expecting to be even better this year. But after being knocked out for three minutes, he says he doesn't remember a thing from the entire weekend. Yikes.

Budds Creek: what the... oh, I get it now

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Words have no description for what James Stewart is doing in this photo, so I should probably stop typing now

*blink* photo by GuyB

Budds Creek: what the...? part 2

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Tim Ferry is in control, this photo notwithstanding. Scrubbing that jump with a little extra Lysol bathroom cleaner, Number 15 was again number 2 in qualifying at Budds. Number 2 is good.

Undercarriage inspection pic by GuyB

Budds Creek: what the...?

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Josh Grant going for it over a Budds Creek double. I am pretty sure I would never attempt such a jump.

"What Part of this don't you understand?" pic by GuyB

Budds Creek: Mike Brown!

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Another cat that can flat ride a bike, Mike Brown can get down. Yes indeed.

GuyB milking it

Welcome back David Vuillemin!

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Look who's back and racing at Budds Creek! Go DV12!

Welcome back pic by GuyB

No, you can't have this

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This is a works Suzuki fuel tank. The AMA inspection sticker next to it seems to assure that it is legal. Does it even matter? It does if you want to win.

In my mind, even stock production race bikes are works of art, so to see examples of pure craftsmanship like this just tickles my inner gadget geek. Bring back the full factory specials.

Expose photo by GuyB.

Budds Creek: Ah, Motocross...

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Since GuyB is streaming the goods, I can't resist hanging a few shots here to pretty up the place.

I haven't been giving our two-time 250 National Champion Ryan Villopoto enough props for the clearly dominant, nearly flawless season he's having. He's on it, hard, as he showed in Saturday practice at Budds Creek, Maryland. What a great rider. [Mark Butler, go to the race!]

Mike Alessi's looking pretty good!

I know I am overusing the word, but wow again. Mike has just dropped a video on (guess) Racer X Films...directed by none other than Troy Adamitis... and he almost looks like he's ready to ride. Wow.

Racerhead 28: Wow

Check out the flow as DC lets go. This is indeed an exciting time for motocross.

Sean Hamblin: "I think the only way I rode was just pure adrenaline and a bit of stupidity!!"

Here's a funny thread started by Factory Yamaha sensation Sean Hamblin. He posted this pic (with an assist from ocscottie) from Red Bud, obviously in pain and trying to deal with a dislocated shoulder. Hamblin has come a long way with his PR skills development; his consistent participation at VitalMX is a great example of a pro athlete reaching out and interracting with his base.

Photo credit unknown.

Apology accepted, Jason. Now, what's your problem?

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I give credit to Jason Lawrence for issuing this apology on Racer X Online, and I don't particularly care whether he was the original author of it or not. I am just happy to see signs of intelligent life from the Lawrence "camp" in a mature and timely fashion, no less. It reads authentically enough for my purposes as a motocross fan.

I also do not particularly care about Jason's sins, his ethical or moral standards (or lack thereof, others might add), whether he has a substance abuse problem or is simply another troubled American youth. As far as I'm concerned, Jason Lawrence is just another guy. He just happens to also be a reasonably-compensated professional athlete who does things on a motorcycle that I personally admire... even though that sounds kind of funny. But it is because of his prowess on his motorcycle that I even know about him and pay him any mind at all. What he does off the track is only of interest when I am bored. Which I guess is why I'm writing about this at all, as Jason Weigandt sort of predicted.

So in a way, we are all as guilty as J "no longer above the" Law. Somebody yelled "Fight! Fight!" in the AMA's schoolyard and we all quickly crowded around to egg the pitiful fools on. The would-be pugilists pay the price, of course, while we get to curse them and compliment ourselves for not being so stupid. I don't know what happened that resulted in Jason's arrest on Saturday night, but if I am to be totally honest, I have to admit that I WOULD like to know. And I'm sorta pissed off that the motocross "press" hasn't put it out there fully... I guess I'm too stingy with my time to root around to a dozen sites just to find basic info about the incident, like the name of the guy he allegedly fought. I'm a fan, not an investigative reporter!

In the grand scheme of things, in the pantheon of motocrosser transgressions, I would claim that, as it has been presented by the current stories, Lawrence's offense does not come as close to "embarrassing the sport" as the M's on-track mental meltdown during that fateful second moto at Glen Helen in '05... and Alessi took months to issue his personal apology. So I think those intent on kicking JLaw out of motocross are being tragically short-sighted.

Better days wallpaper by GuyB.

Iron Man Hamblin, before the Fall

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Check it out. This man deserves respect for earning some time under the big blue awning by putting in hard work. This past weekend at Red Bud, new Factory Yamaha star Sean Hamblin dislocated his shoulder TWICE, but still raced to earn points in both motos. For that, a well-earned Getdown Sean!

And GuyB gets big props for the VitalMX Perspective doo-hickey.

High Point 2008: Fast MoFo Club member Tim Ferry

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The big One Five is definitely on the gas this season, just like he's supposed to be. Timmy Ferry, in my warped mind, should be the current National Champion. The man is FAST... definitely the leader of the pack behind his Monster Kawasaki team mate James. He's got Alessi-handling speed, he's got Milsaps' number, Tedesco apparently can't handle him, Short's got nothing for the Red Dog, Josh Hill is probably afraid of him (kidding!)... so why the 4-4 in Pennsylvania, Timmy? You know you got it in you to podium every single race. Why do I suddenly sound like Steve Matthes?

Killer shot by GuyB

Signs of progress are a very good thing

To me, the best news of the week was this short paragraph in Racerhead 25 where DC wrote:

Looking ahead to next week, we’ve got a big treat for everyone: With David Clabaugh taking the extraordinary step of bringing in world-renowned Musco Lighting to illuminate Thunder Valley Raceway, the second set of motos from Colorado will air live on Speed TV. So with the satellite truck there and the camera crews in place, Racer X and Toyota will be presenting the telecast of the first set of motos as well as the WMA moto live on Motocross.com, beginning at 6 p.m. Mountain Time (8 back east and 5 on the West Coast). It’s free to watch; you just need to sign up over at www.motocross.com, and when you do, we will also hook you up with a free digital edition of the August ’08 digital issue of Racer X Illustrated. What a deal!

This is EXACTLY what American Motocross needs. LIVE coverage free to EVERYBODY, even if just for the first motos (for now...). It is the easiest and most logical way to expand the audience by making the show easily available to the largest pool of fans, including those that don't get certain cable channels or broadcast signals.

I wonder when the advertising creatives are going to catch up to the concept here... Toyota has been hitting it pretty hard with repeating their made-for-tv Tundra ads, but I sure would like to see some motocross-specific spots soon, utilizing some of the cool concepts they've been doing at the races. Heck, they got Joe Gibbs, man..!

(gearshift)

And how about WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL MOTOCROSS LIVE the same night! Gol durn it's 2008 and the ladies have finally made it to the big time. Talk about 'it's about time'...

Earlier this year, I joked about CBS Sports broadcasting this race live, goading them to "wake up that sleepy Saturday night audience with a live network television broadcast of the outdoor motocross championships this summer!" I cannot tell you how glad I am that Racer X and Toyota are really making it happen.

High Point 2008:Thank you Racerhead!

I don't know what it is, but motocross just seems to bring out the best in people. The High Point security here a rather lovely case in point. Cudby photo courtesy of Racer X Online.

Style Council: HD-ready riding gear!

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James Stewart and Fox Racing pushing the design envelope once again. I am frankly stunned by the detail in this outfit. That supertrick factory Kawasaki ain't too shabby, either. Look at those forks and that pipe! Another GuyB production.

High Point 2008: This Is Motocross

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Moto 1, another holey for Mikey. Starting technique: the M haz it. And GuyB haz the photo cred.

Motocross as Art: The Vintage Machines at HighPoint

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Vintage bikes on display included this gorgeous trio: L-R a German Maico, British Greeves and (then) Swedish Husqvarna. Pic by GuyB.

X Games: About to Suck Again?

Someone hijacked the James Stewart/motocross.com video that I embedded here. Has to be a jerk and appears to be employed or contracted by ESPN.

Jason LAWrence: Bad Time for Breakdancing

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Sorry Jason, I couldn't resist running this GuyB photo of your misfortune. Glad you weren't seriously hurt sampling the sand whoops in the second moto. Go get 'em in PA.

This is What You Want

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Cool shot by GuyB.


Just admit it. You want to see someone, ANYONE, step up and take the race to James. For at least a few laps, right? You're probably pissed that Chad Reed and Kevin Windham elected to sit this one out, even though those guys can't beat Stewart indoors or out. You might even want to harbor a slight grudge against the GOAT for retiring to race cars, but your heart won't let you (and I certainly don't blame you). I am here to tell you it's okay.

It's okay to want to see some racing for the win when you attend a professional motor sports event. Just as it should be okay for the pros to do what they can to put on a show that pleases their fans. Yes, a show. A production involving a cast of thousands, most of whom pay dearly just to be in the audience. That's what all the super-successful professional sports deliver, consistently and at a high level.

The James Stewart show, like anything else, has changed over the years since the young man turned pro. Forgetting supercross for a moment, the Outdoor Stewart story went from "Holy cow he's fast!" to "He's winning too much, why won't he move up already?" in the lightweight class to "FINALLY, someone to race with Ricky" to "Why is he crashing so much racing with Ricky?" to "Wow, 2007 was more exciting without him."

Ouch, that must have hurt, reading those stories in the motocross press last summer. I am just assuming that James feels that he has some unfinished business in the 450 class, and that the only thing that matters is winning that elusive heavyweight national championship to complete his collection of titles. And after watching him ride at the Glen Helen opener and seeing the videos from Hangtown and hearing the webcast from Freestone, it seems to me that James started this season on a mission to quickly establish dominance. If the field was hopeful that Stewart needed more time to heal from knee surgery, those hopes were sorely dashed by the time the tour left California. And that is the James Stewart show right now: utter domination, lightly mixed with "yeah, but he might crash his brains out, so stay close as you can."

Would you be okay if James decided to put on a different show? No, I'm not talking about stunts like the one he clowned Chad Reed with at Unadilla (that maybe pissed you off), but something more subtle... like somehow not setting fast lap in qualifying, or getting an abysmally bad start and taking all moto to come back. I think some of you would settle for what happened at Freestone: falling in the first moto and then instead of going nuts in the second to pass Alessi as quickly as possible, James took a few laps to go around. Right?

I can tell you that I am looking forward to the next chapter of the James Stewart show, as the young man becomes an old pro at this motocross game, giving the fans the show they paid good money for. Not faking, still racing with class and dignity, still showing the same growing respect for his competition as well as his fans and still amazing us all with his speed, guts, style and bike handling.

Style Council: Stewart wins 3 in a row

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Does this look easy to you? It looks cool as heck to me, but never easy. James Stewart shredded his competition in qualifying and during both motos to stretch his National-winning streak to three. GuyB caught the roost on Saturday.

National Number 2 rockstar Mike Alessi

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Mike Alessi returned to form and showed off his conditioning in the 103-degree heat by clocking second overall at Freestone MX in Texas. Mike actually broke James Stewart's laps lead streak by holeshotting and leading moto 2 for a few. GuyB caught Alessi putting it down here in practice.

Freestone scenery: real or fake?

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I mean the cowboy hats, of course. Texas steps up and GuyB mows 'em down.

Freestone? More like Fire and Brimstone...

Early in June in Texas... who knew it would get so hot for the third round of the National Motocross Championship? I listened to the second motos, and guys were literally collapsing off their bikes, and I couldn't help but think that maybe summer isn't such a great time for racing motocross in the Southern U.S. Either that, or maybe those guys in Colorado are starting to look like geniuses for planning a night race...