James Stewart is on the verge of winning the biggest title of his
career. This Saturday, April 28 at Qwest Field in Seattle, the
22-year-old Kawasaki ace from Haines City, Fla., needs only to finish
ninth or better to wrap up the 2007 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross
Series championship.
Stewart comes to the Seattle Supercross, the 15th race in the 16-race
AMA series, having put together one of the finest seasons in the
history of the series. He has 11 wins so far and is enjoying an
impressive five-race winning streak. Stewart is poised to become the
next dominant rider in AMA Supercross, following in the footsteps of
the two winningest riders in the sport’s history in Jeremy McGrath
and Ricky Carmichael.
McGrath, who retired from full-time Supercross competition after the
2002 season is the all-time championship and wins leader, with seven
AMA Supercross titles and 72 wins. Carmichael took over the Supercross
reign from McGrath and went on to win five titles and earn 48 wins
before retiring from Supercross last month. Now Stewart is set to chip
away at the records established by McGrath and Carmichael. Already
this year Stewart has gone from 14th to sixth on the all-time wins
list. Stewart has 22-career AMA Supercross victories.
“I’m going to Seattle to have a good time,” said a relaxed
Stewart. “I’m happy that I’m in very good position this season
and now we just have a couple more to go. Seattle can be muddy at
times so I’m going to have to be careful there if that happens. If I
can win, that will be great. If I have to take second I’ll take that
too. My focus all year has been on winning the championship and that
won’t change.”
L&M Yamaha’s Chad Reed is the only other rider with a
mathematical shot at catching Stewart. Reed has been consistent all
season finishing on the podium at every round and winning in February
in San Diego. Even that fine performance wasn’t enough to keep pace
with Stewart’s dominating season.
Stewart’s teammate Tim Ferry is the comeback story of the year. The
likable Floridian appears to have wrapped up third-place in the
series. Ferry has also mounted a solid comeback from an injury that
could have ended his career.
The AMA Supercross Lites West class has already been decided. Monster
Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto, from Poulsbo, Wash.,
is the champion and he will in effect be taking a victory race in
front of his home state fans in Seattle. Villopoto’s 2007 Supercross
season has already been outstanding, but if he wins Saturday he’ll
have earned seven victories in eight races.
Villopoto is not the only rider from the Pacific Northwest that fans
will be rooting for at Qwest Field. Yamaha’s Joshua Hill, of
Yoncalla, Ore., is another up-and-coming rider in the Lites class.
Hill comes into Seattle ranked third in the standings and has scored
five straight top-five finishes.
The Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series round from Qwest Field will air
on CBS on Sunday, April 29, at 12 pm eastern.
Tickets for the Seattle Supercross are available at all Ticketmaster
outlets, the Qwest Field Box Office, select participating Yamaha
dealers or charge by phone at 206-628-0888 in Seattle or 253-628-0888
in Tacoma.
Gates open at 12:30 pm for Seattle Supercross Pit Party where fans can
meet the riders and 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.