Racing

James Stewart's Day At Spring Creek Motocross | MX 2016

James Stewart went 10-35 for 15th overall at round 8

July 21, 2016

James Stewart came back from injury this week at Spring Creek. James’ first child was born last week and James was now ready to come back to the series. Good thing for Yoshimura Suzuki that James came back this week since Blake Baggett and fill-in rider Matt Bisceglia were injured at Southwick last week. So the Number Seven was the lone rider under the Yoshimura tent.Photo by Rob Koy

James rips a tear off on the exit of the turn between the sand whoops sections in practice session one. James took a few laps to get up to speed in the session and turned his best lap of 2:20.792 on the last lap for the sixth fastest time.Photo by Rob Koy

James and the team discuss the first session and figure out if they need to do any changes before the second timed practice.Photo by Rob Koy

James is known for his raw speed and ability to go through the whoops, and in the second timed session James was unofficially timed as the fastest rider from the start of the whoops to the end of the whoops. James turned a 2:15.635 on his second lap of the session for the 8th gate pick going into the first moto.Photo by Rob Koy

James got a decent start in moto one and was in the top fifteen after the first lap. This race for James was all about just taking it easy and not riding over his head since he admitted that he hasn’t been putting in the work since his shoulder injury and the anticipation of the birth of his first child. James said that he has had some restless nights this week taking care of his newborn son.Photo by Rob Koy

James was clicking off laps in moto one in the top twelve position and was consistently taking the inside line down the first hill before going back up Martin Mountain.Photo by Rob Koy

James stays in the inside rut as it had a defined and cleaner rut exiting the turn. The outside ruts started to form many different lines and were not as fast as the inside in moto one.Photo by Rob Koy

James had a good battle with Justin Brayton towards the end of the the moto, but James had to give the spot to Justin as James was just holding on at the end of the moto. James admitted to not having much seat time in the recent weeks and said he knows that he needs to get more seat time as the series continues.Photo by Rob Koy

James holds on as he takes the outside rut going up Martin Mountain. This turned out to be the faster way as he started the climb. James finished the moto in 10th place. Not bad for a guy who hasn’t had much seat time. It’s amazing how he can get a top ten finish on his talent alone when other guys have been racing all summer and are in race shape and James just came out of the coach and is able to still get a good finish.Photo by Rob Koy

James went back to the Yoshimura Suzuki rig and reportedly had some blisters after the first moto. Crazy glue was used to try and help control the blisters so James could attempt to race the second moto. James got another top fifteen start and was recorded in 12th place after lap one. James takes the less deep rut off the up hill triple on Martin Mountain.Photo by Rob Koy

Big James and Malcolm Stewart were on Martin Mountain giving James a ton of support when he would go by. James would only be able to complete five laps before he pulled off the track because the blisters got to be too much and James said that he had a few close calls out there. James said he felt good to be out there competing again and is looking for gradual gains in the coming rounds. James Stewart went 10-35 for 15th overall in his return race at Spring Creek. James said he thinks Washougal should be better for sure.Photo by Rob Koy