JS7: Stewart speaks about the Atlanta Supercross

Got to give this man credit for putting this video out there so fast. He's reserved, apologetic (to the fans) and looks to be ready to race Daytona next week.
Check out JS7.com for this Atlanta SX: Post-Race Video

The Money Shot: Atlanta Supercross

Two Two Racing owner/rider Chad Reed appears to be headed for the tuff blox instead of actually making the right turn that James Stewart is trying to complete.  Yes, impact is imminent.

Whoa, what a last lap!  James Stewart got the holeshot and led for a few laps, but bobbled and let Chad Reed by.  Reed then went on to lead most of the main, but made a few mistakes of his own and Stewart was able to close the gap.  Then Stewart took advantage when Reed got held up by Stewart's team mate Kyle Regal, and passed for the lead on the last lap.  A few turns later, Reed implemented the move you see above.  Check out GuyB's fantastic report for the rest of the photos in this sequence!

As a result of the collision, BOTH Ryans went by (Villopoto and Dungey), with Villopoto taking the win!  A fantastic night of racing in Atlanta!  A stupendous disappointment for the San Manuel Yamaha team!

Missing in Action: San Diego Supercross

Er, my bad everybody.  It was actually a momentous weekend in San Diego for Honda riders, with Chad Reed putting his privately-sponsored CRF450F in the winner's circle for a record 6th time in that stadium.   And GEICO Powersports Honda rookie Eli Tomac managed his first-ever supercross win in the 250 class.   Congratulations to both guys!

So where are the photos?  My connection to the good stuff, GuyB, was off representing Vital MX and the Indy Dealer Show.  Oh well...

James Stewart interview: you're doing it right

A sense of humor is a valuable thing. Check out this priceless interview with James Stewart.

Don't Sweat the Technique: Houston Supercross

Here's Malcolm looking clean in his heat race...

... here he is in the main, with a ripped jersey from his gnarly first lap crash.  Still riding hard.

What a great professional debut for the younger Stewart!  He had to ride in unseeded "B" practice sessions, but was able to complete a fast lap of 50.911, the second-fastest time in his division, good enough for 14th fastest overall.  

When the night show kicked off for the first round of the East region 250 class, Stewart focused and jetted out to a great start in heat one and rode all 6 laps in second place behind Justin Barcia.  Stewart was consistent; his six-lap average was 50.984.

By the time the 250 main event lined up, it was hard not to have high expectations for the rookie racer.  Malcolm responded by expertly converting his good gate pick into the holeshot!   He was immediately challenged by PJ Larsen, and the two of them starting banging bars.  A turn or two later and the two racers collided and went down hard, Stewart and his Suzuki both turning cartwheels down the track.  Luckily he was uninjured and his bike was rideable.  Though he was nearly dead last by time he got his bike started, Malcolm held it together and was able to race his way back to 14th.

So even though he was set to do much, much better, it was still a great night for the rookie.  And to top it off, he took home "Stewart Family Honors" as his 14th beat the crash-caused 15th place finished scored by big brother James in the 450 class!

Photos from GuyB's photo blast at Vital MX.

Stewart on a Suzuki and other strange things: Houston Supercross

Yep,there's a Stewart racing a Suzuki: MALCOLM Stewart, the youngest of the Stewart brothers, AMA Pro number 139, racing a Suzuki RM-Z250 for Travis Pastrana!  Actually, the team is called Suzuki City/ARMA/Nitro Circus.  Anyway, that's one nice looking bike!

And how cool is this?  The team had a fifth-scale HPI-Racing truck with Stewart's number 139 on display in the pits.


From GuyB's Pit Bits at Vital MX.

House Town: Houston Supercross

You wanna know what's going down in House Town?  GuyB has the pre-race pics up at VitalMX.

At 71,000 seats, Houston's Reliant is the biggest stadium the MESS has visited so far this year.  There are definitely enough motocross fans in the area to fill the house; hope they turn out because it's looking to be one hot show!

Chad Reed qualified in 9th, turning a 49.831. 

James Stewart "won" qualifying again, after laying down a 48.568 in second practice.  Look at all those empty seats.  Where is everybody?  Partying in the pits?

This 6th round of the series marks the beginning of the East region championship for 250cc motorcycles, featuring a new cast of characters, er, racers contesting the title.

Monster Pro Circuit's Dean Wilson sits in 3rd place in the 250 class, with a lap of 49.996.

Ryan Sipes put his DNA Shred Stix Yamaha on top of the little bike leaderboard by setting a fast lap of 49.583.

Another one who wants to win: Anaheim 2 Supercross

Stewart made it two in a row.  Can the competition counter next weekend in Houston?

James Stewart stormed to his 40th career supercross win and his 8th win at Anaheim stadium.  Was there more to the story?  Not really. 

Photo by GuyB.

Hansen has Heart: Anaheim 2 Supercross

Hot 100 grabbed the holeshot and held off challenges from Ken Roczen (194) and Eli Tomac (19), who would both end up on the podium with him.  Hansen swept Anaheim in 2011, winning both A1 and A2.

It was Josh Hansen's turn to have a tough night of racing.  After he set fastest lap in 250 practice, he crashed hard in the whoops, breaking bones and fingers in his left hand.  Lesser men would have called it a night (and maybe a championship), but Hansen gutted it out and pushed his bike to the starting line for his heat (which he won) and the 250 main (which he also won, after dispatching a challenge from Eli Tomac).  Hansen WANTS IT.

Great photos from A2 by GuyB.

Pink in the Pits: Anaheim 2 Supercross

The fifth round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series is dedicated to breast cancer awareness, so the bikes and the pits are decked out with all manner of pink.  We like pink.

So THAT'S where she stashes her iPhone... and her, uh, bullets.

Blame GuyB for these pics.

Second Fastest in Practice: Anaheim 2 Supercross

After setting fastest lap in the first 450 practice, James Stewart sat out P2, where his time was beaten by Ryan Dungey.

Eli Tomac clocked the second fastest time in the 250 class, behind Josh Hansen.  Then Hansen reportedly broke a finger in the second practice... will this be Tomac's night to win?

It's showtime in Anaheim!  These two were second fastest in their respective classes, but they both have extremely good chances at getting the win tonight.

Photos by GuyB at Vital MX.

7 has 7, wants 8: Anaheim 2 Supercross

Stewart finished third at the season-opening Anaheim 1 event.

James celebrated a milestone win last week in Oakland; can he make it two in a row at Anaheim 2?

Over the course of his career, James Stewart has won 7 main events in Anaheim Stadium, according to the Monster Energy Supercross Notes package over at Supercrossonline.com, While that stat is incredible, the fact that Chad Reed has 6 Anaheim wins makes this weekend's race even more interesting.  Speedy Reedy's last lap pass for second at Oakland was a reminder to everyone that the two-time champion and owner/operator of Two Two Motorsports is still one of the fastest supercross racers in history.

Photos from JS7.com.

Third of All Time: Oakland Supercross

Stewart captured a key victory under difficult conditions, and took over the points lead as a result.

James Stewart's win at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum was his 39th career supercross victory, placing him in third on the all-time win list, behind (The King) Jeremy McGrath and ... guess who?

While yer chewing on that, here's another trivia question:  how many gallons of flame thrower juice does the Monster Energy Supercross Series burn up over the course of a year?   Still, another cool pic by GuyB.

J-style: Oakland Supercross

Josh Hansen is on it this season.  He can handle the young'uns; the question is, can he handle his team mate Tickle, Broc?

Photo from GuyB's great coverage of the Oakland Supercross last Saturday.