This Week in Yamaha History: Stewart Takes Oakland
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 | 3:00 PM
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Oakland has had a spotty history on the AMA Supercross schedule, appearing first in 1979, then again in 1980 and 1984 before disappearing until just last year. In the meantime, the series found a home in nearby San Francisco. But as that race grew, AT&T park literally ran out of room for fans, as even bad weather couldn’t prevent the event from selling out.
Last year the tour returned to Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (known now as O.co Coliseum) for one primary reason: the building can fit more people. The fans showed up and were treated to a great show.
James Stewart kept the drama going throughout the day by logging fast laps at times, but then crashing at others. Heard that before? He crashed hard in the first free practice and again in the first timed practice, leading him to sit out of the third practice. But Stewart returned to win his heat race and log the fastest lap time of the heats, setting him back up as a favorite in the main.
Stewart took the win in Oakland last year.
Photo: The Medium Group
The previous weekend, Stewart led the Los Angeles Supercross but then crashed while being challenged by Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto. This time around, Stewart set up a strategy of riding smarter, not faster. In Oakland, Villopoto looked like the man to beat when he jumped out to an early lead, but Stewart put a hard block pass on Ryan Dungey early and then jumped past Chad Reed to get into second by the end of lap one. This seemed to set up a Villopoto versus Stewart duel for the win, until Villopoto washed out in a slippery corner and threw it away. Stewart cruised past and took the win on his San Manuel-backed Yamaha—his second win of the year.
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If he is going to win it this year, then that means he cant crash. Not likely.
He's going to crash... Am curious to see how Reed can match up to RV's... I personally think RV will blast by him...
Stews crash in practice last year at Oakland was knarly........I hate to hear the bike set up routine, but I think James may have Cole Trickle syndrome.....He can ride the wheels off a bike, we all know that, but he may not know how to relay what is wrong with the bike, so they just keep guessing until its right??? I dunno....Speed is there obvioulsy and to me he looks less squirelly than last year...Dodger main was a silly tip over, so hopefully they are close to getting that roach dialed and we see some good racing and JS7 on top again......
Seems like the reunion with j-bone should have helped some- I know he's not turning the wrenches, but there is lots of experience there- successfully setting up the bike for Stewart.
Is it just me or is double D getting to buff? lay off the roids chick!
i thought she looks great this year and even may of lost a few pounds from last year.....
Just read an interesting interview with Cody Gibbs in the March issue of
Dirt Rider, where he explained that Stewart was not JGR's first choice. They had courted RD, but never came to a deal, then pursued JS. I am sure that makes Bubba happy in his decision. Also stated that Bubba wanted off of the Yamaha until he road the JGR YZ and said it was awesome. Doesn't sound like a bike issue to me?
@uneasy_rider I don't think he loved the bike, I think that he loved the 3 year contract and money that came along with it.
Stewart, Stewart, Stewart, Stewart, Stewart, Stewart, Stewart, time to rock and rool bro, your faster than these guys, you always pass reed and leave em unless he goes for the takedown, pick your pass and go, dungey man he got to be the luckiest one out there when parts off coming off his bike, he rides around and waits for mistakes, slow. Then villipoto in front or behind he cant handle pressure, hes rode both sx and nat. its going to wear on him hes going to get tired mentally and physically. HOLESHOT and win man, a couple of more titles 71 wins i know you want that record and then go race some nascar. Ride like we know JS7 can man dont let us down.
Comparing last year to this year's photos, it appears D.D. got a DD upgrade!
@yamaha645 - If anyone has been tired physically and mentally this year it has been Bubba. Go look at the interview with him after his heat race from A1. He was huffing and puffing and sweating like crazy after only 6 laps. Then in Phoenix he lost all concentration and wadded it up again. Get Stewies nuts off of your chin.
It almost seems like the media outlets, including the mags, are trying to find news stories, old or new to keep Stewart relevant. Sort of like they do with the President. Even if he is unpopular, do what you can do with the mighty pen to prop up your favorites. Pitiful.
I had actually called for Stewart to win last weekend since the track was all about rhythm sections and he excels at those. But I guess since he didn't win, the media is going back in time to find a story about when he did win something. Not slamming on Stewart. More like slamming on the media.
Hopefully he keeps it on two wheels this weekend and we get to see a 5 way battle for 20 laps. That would truly be epic!
yamaha645, congratulations, I never in a million years would have thought it was possible to show that amount of ignorance in so few words.
The problem with stewart is that he does not know how to set up his own bike. He had Ferry ride the kawi's and just ran with whatever he set up. I heard that he had Ferry do the same for the YZF and they just could not figure it out. I know thats its about 4 years in the past but, if my statements are valid, not sure if they are, imagine what James could have put together on his OWN setup that he decided on? Kind fo scary that he basically hopped on another guys bike and did what he did.
Yamaha645: do you actually watch the races and have you seen the results/stats?
Wait, wait, now I get it....you just got done watching the first season of bubbas world. It makes sense now, I get it.
Sorry to say, but I think Stewart's window of opportunity is closing fast. Seems like he has waisted a lot of time over the past couple of years and has lost his competitive edge.
His performance on a 125 at Unadilla was absolutely insane!
I love it, have to go back in time to show bobbles getting a victory. As far as loving the bike, I am just going on what I read from Cody Gibbs? I don't think the Fastest man in qualifying had to "settle" for a bike. He is not producing the results he should, but he is still in demand.
The article is called "Yamaha History." The next round is in Oakland, Stewart won there last year. Stewart rides for Yamaha. Put it all together and you get this article. Some people on this site seem to have crashed and hit their heads more than JS7.
When you have not raced your peers in a long time, it is hard to gauge your self to the other riders..Stewart has no idea how fast and in control R.V. is ..RV made 1 big mistake he got married way too young..Hope she doesn't speak english and understand the american way...Stewie lacks the speed to win...
Go over to transworldmx.com to check out D.D. There is not a damn thing wrong with that girl. Especially the back view.