James Stewart comes to the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship
presented by FMF this Sunday, July 28 at Washougal (Wash.) MX Park
hoping to pull off a rare repeat win at the scenic pine forested circuit
situated in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.
The Unbound Energy National at Washougal MX Park Presented by FMF, round
eight of the 12-event series, is one of the favorite stops in the
championship among fans and riders alike. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s
James Stewart is the defending winner of the race and a victory this
weekend would put the rider from Haines City, Fla., on rare ground. Rick
Johnson (1983-84) and Ricky Carmichael (2004-05) are the only riders in
Washougal history to win back-to-back AMA Motocross events. Stewart
hopes to join that list to become only the third rider ever to win at
Washougal in consecutive years.
Stewart is coming off one of the hardest fought victories in his racing
career. Last week in Lakewood, Colo., Stewart returned to action, and in
spite of riding in pain from a bad crash suffered the week before in New
Berlin, N.Y., he was able to earn the overall victory – his first of
the season. So exhausted from riding in the heat and elevation with his
injuries, Stewart collapsed and fell to the ground after taking the
checkered flag on Sunday. In a rarity, three riders, Stewart, Mike
Alessi and Andrew Short, all tied in points after two motos in Colorado,
but it was Stewart taking the overall win by scoring the highest in the
second moto.
“I’m excited about going to Washougal,” said Stewart, who took the
series lead with last week’s victory. “I’ve won there every year
I’ve been there and I like the track. I have a lot of confidence now
that I’ve fought through this injury and I know I’ll be better this
weekend. I want to get back to how I was riding earlier this season so
we’ll see what happens.”
Stewart certainly knows the beautiful Washougal track as he won the AMA
Lites class three straight years from 2002 to 2004. He missed the 2005
race with injury and returned to beat Ricky Carmichael last year in an
epic race.
Stewart’s biggest challenge is likely to come from within his own
team. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry is coming off a confidence
inspiring second moto win in Lakewood – his first moto victory in four
years - and is hoping to pull an upset this weekend.
Honda’s Andrew Short is just two points behind Ferry in the series
standings. Short, a Colorado native, was third last week in his home
race. Last year’s Washougal Lites class winner will be looking to keep
that momentum at Washougal. Another rider to watch is Red Bull KTM’s
Mike Alessi, who was runner up to Stewart last week. Alessi has been
steadily improving his results this year.
Washougal will be a homecoming for defending AMA Motocross Lites
Champion Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash. Washington fans will be
behind their home state hero, who is locked in a thrilling championship
race with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammate Ben Townley. The
two riders are tied with 310 points apiece coming into this Sunday’s
race and while both riders respect one another, neither has given an
inch when racing together so far this season.
“Last year was great racing close to home and it should be even better
this year,” said Villopoto, who finished sixth overall with a 40-2
moto finish in last year’s race after his bike broke in the first moto.
“I won the championship last year and now the fans up there are
expecting me to win in front of them.”
Townley, a former world champion from New Zealand, will be paying his
first visit to Washougal.
“I’m sure Ryan’s going to enjoy the support he gets from his
fans,” said Townley. “But once you get to the starting gate all of
that goes out of your mind. You’re here to do a job and you put in the
same effort no matter where the track is. I’m looking forward to
racing Washougal. I’ve heard good things about it and it’s always
fun to learn new tracks.”
Washougal is considered one of the most picturesque motocross circuits
in the world and fans of the Pacific Northwest have long made the race
one of the consistently top attended races on the AMA calendar. It has
hosted AMA nationals since 1980.
The AMA Motocross race from Washougal will air on SPEED on Saturday,
August 4, at 6:00 pm Eastern. The Lites class can be seen on Tuesday,
Aug. 7 at 3:00 pm.
For more information on the Unbound Energy National at Washougal MX Park
Presented by FMF contact Washougal MX Park at (541) 673-1671 or visit
the website www.washougalmx.com.
WHAT: The Unbound Energy National at Washougal MX Park Presented by FMF,
round eight of the 12-round AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented
by FMF.
WHERE: Take I-5 to 205 to Hwy 14, go east to Washougal, 15th St, turn
left, go 8 miles, turn left on Alder Rd/412th, left on Borin Rd.
WHEN: July 28-29, 2007
COURSE: 1.4 miles (approx), hard pack and soft loam through pine
forested hills.
2006 WINNERS: AMA Motocross: James Stewart (Kawasaki). AMA
Motocross Lites: Andrew Short (Honda).
SCHEDULE: Saturday - Pro timed qualifying, 1:00-4:35 pm., Lites
Consolation Race 4:45 pm; Sunday - Pro Motocross Consolation Race 9:15
am. Qualifying 10:00 am. Opening Ceremonies begin at 12:30 pm with final
events beginning at 1 pm.