Racer X Outstanding Performance: James Stewart
Sunday, January 29, 2012 | 1:05 PM
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Welcome to a new Sunday feature on Racer X Online—The Racer X Outstanding Performance. Each week, we’ll highlight a rider who logged a solid result in Saturday’s race and overcame great adversity to do it. The Racer X Outstanding Performance Award won’t always go to the race winner, because anyone that overcomes a crash, a bad start, an injury or other troubles and can still deliver a strong result deserves some recognition.
But this week the award does go to a race winner—because he faced the worst kind of adversity en route to the victory. This isn’t just about James Stewart’s 6-8-3 results through the early rounds of Monster Energy Supercross—even though since 2006, Stewart had not gone even three rounds into the season without grabbing a win.
Yes, Stewart had not produced the expected results yet, but coming into Oakland, there was something much bigger weighing on his mind. On Thursday, Stewart’s Florida mechanic Mark “Tex” Adams was hit by a car while attending to a motorist on the side of the road. Adams was killed, and the news sent shockwaves through both the Stewart and JGR/Toyota Yamaha camps. Adams was not only Stewart’s practice mechanic this year, but began working with the JGR team at its inception in 2008.
"It means a lot [the win after losing Adams]," said Stewart after the race. "It’s cool to see the motocross community come around me and really support, not only me, but him. I’m sad, but what about his family? We should be thinking about the people, the friends that he knows, just everybody around him. It was definitely special to win the race, and it was definitely tough to hear on Thursday that, out of the blue, he was gone. Definitely, this win was for him. It was really cool to see the team come together, and we’ll continue to do it for the rest of the year."
On Saturday night, the team and rider focused past the tragedy and put together an outstanding performance. Stewart fended off early pressure from Ryan Villopoto and then mounted a successful attack on Chad Reed to get the lead. From there, he locked down a win, erasing any of the “what’s wrong with James Stewart?” talk from the first three rounds.
The win won’t erase the pain of losing a close friend, but it’s clear James and his team are focused and ready to fight through whatever comes their way.
Stewart dedicated his win to Adams.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Honorable Mention: Credit to a pair of Lites riders who landed on the podium. Marvin Musquin crashed out of last weekend’s main event but bounced back for a solid second in Oakland. And Zach Osborne completed his four-race return to U.S. supercross with back-to-back podium finishes. And GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac blitzed to his second-straight win. Outstanding performances all round in Oakland.
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James said , Honestly , I just rode around , I believe him , Because thats what it looked like to me , He was in a League of his Own .
Good for James and all of JGR!
That must have been incredibly hard to ride last night because of losing Tex.
Thoughts and sympathy to Tex's family.
fastest man on the planet . for you guys that were using his trade mark phrase
Nice win this week james, i'm glad you were able to get one in honor of your teammate!!
WTG James! Use this to focus and you'll be good for the season. We knew it would come - you could see it each week. Had to happen. Hey - where are all the naysayers? Comment section sure seems SPARSE this week. They must be hiding out from embarrassment. I don't blame them.
the naysayers are being somewhat respectful, thankfully. Great race this week and congrats to James for coming out on top. Can't wait til next week!
Who will be the first double winner? Will it happen at A2? Or will we see another rider enter the elite four kingdom?
Awesome season 4 races 4 different winners. I love to see what the haters are gonna say now. All the top players started up front, except for Dungey, no one crashed, just great racing. I was there at the pits yesterday, JS autograph line was unbelievable, JS is awesome with the fans.
looked comfortable on the bike.and more patient.. ...great ride ..
Good ride JS
Great ride to James! He was due and he delivered.Sure Joe Gibbs is feeling a bit better.
For all us RV and RD fans no worries. RV came into the evening 4 pts out of first and left 2 points out of first. On a track where he just could not make it happen he did the smart thing and settled. Closing points gap. I will admit after the practice speed and the Heat race speed where he caught James again and finished on his fender I thought with 20 laps, it was going to be a laydown for Villo. He has said before sometimes your best just isn't good enough and I believe his best will be good enough plenty of times to come!
RD got a bad start and took the best spot available to him on the night 4th.He is again tied for the point lead and has had a share for 3 straight weeks out of a possible 4.
REEDtard sounds like such a douche sometimes! He can never say he got beat by the better man that day. He always has to blame his own riding. If anybody seriously thinks when he was out front with a holeshot and able to hold off James and RV for so many laps and he was not riding great or even his best, give me a break! I think that is just his way of telling himself he is still capable of being the best. I guess you have to do whatever works but it sounds like sour grapes and his baby routine always comes to the front when the going gets tough!
Shaping up to be a great season where a tight finish is going to mean all these message board fans can keep arguing, rationalizing and excusing there man to the top spot.
Here is to RV repeating as champ!!
This was an interesting race for me to watch, all that was missing was a better start for Dungey. Stewart, Reed and RV were all interesting to watch, friggin beautiful to watch any of the 3 and the precision they displayed. I'm an old JS7 fan, but personally, RV looked like a surgeon and sharper than any. RV just rode smart figuring Bubba would eat it and he could maybe get by Reed or of course they would take each other out. Logical thinking based on historical fact lol but wrong last night.
Good race for all the riders !
You mean RV rode smart while getting beat?? Right?? Why do people always say he was just riding smart?? Like he wanted to finish third......smart ride or not, he got beat last night....just admit it! Nice ride James.nice to see you win this one, for many reasons!!
Looks like one of the greatest riders now works for one of the greatest coaches.
One lap at a time. 2012 Outdoor champ!
hey Red54m, RV said the same stuff as Reed. He blamed his performance on riding tight and the track breaking down. So is RV a douche? Will you call him RVeetard?
And look at lap times. Early in the race RV was gaining on Reed, then look at lap 13 through 20. Reed began pulling slowly away from RV. The lap times support what both said about their riding.
He will win this championship, it's all between him and Villo
torop, I have been hearing the same stuff from REEDtard for a decade, if you have actually been a fan of his that long than I will respect your opinion. RV2 will have Reed covered this year.
finally js7,had no doubts...unlike most,smart ride. kudos to all,they all rode well. can't wait for A2,time for some pink gear!
I see some of you got to see the race on CBS, out here on the west coast we either got run over by the playoff for the golf tournament or they may air the race afterwards.
I hope I get a chance to see the race as CBS doesn't post anything to video format unless there are four wheels or a stick and ball involved.
Red54, Relax. Reed tweeted ("Sucks to lose.But I was happy for JS7 nice win for his buddy. Congrats") doesn't sound like a douche to me.. James rode awesome last night. Good for him and all of JGR. Nobody had anything for him last night,. Reed looked good by holding off RV1. Great race.
REF-man..........people have been saying JS7 looks relaxed and has been riding smarter for the first 3 races. Why is that so unbelievable for someone to say about RV? James looked dialed last night once he got a cushion!
I just want to say first of all, I like RV but I notice a lot of people on here were starting to talk like he was unstoppable and any of the top guys racing head to head with him would have nothing for him. Well that does not appear to be the case, if he was that much more dominant he would have passed them both, and really there wouldn't be four different winners. Lets just hope for more racing with the top guys getting off the gate together and let the chips fall where tey may.
Actually, Stewart getting some confidence combined with getting more and more into race shape and bike setup coming around all could actually spell trouble for the top guys could be good stuff coming up.
bigtireguy, c'mon man, REALLY.....?
I know you watch and even know your stuff a bit. I read your comments and know you to be a big Reed fan. If you think for one second Reed was happy for the #7 he has got you snowed!! That is one of my problems with Reed, he is calculated in every thing he says. He has an agenda and always has. Even when he is telling the truth there is motivation behind his words. His congrats to James, is only in hopes that James does not run him high before Reed has a chance to do it to James first. Trust me, when the checkers are on the line, we'll see how much Reed cares about James..
Do you really believe Reed has love for James?? That would be downright gullable!
I'm not especially a JS7 fan, but Way to go JS7! You rode hard and definitely were the best man last night. I am happy to see him get up to speed so the rest of the season will be interesting! Wasn't looking forward to a RV2 runaway. Reed will be up to JS7 and RV2's pace soon. Then if we can coax RD into getting there we are going to have one hell of a season! whoop! I love SUPERCROSS!
@ red54m
Dude - I remember you - you were on here last year saying Reed is done... Will never win again..... etc etc Well aren't you the expert motocross commentator! NOT!
What was that noise? That was your credibility leaving the building!
It's obvious you are a HATER and that clearly blinds your objectivity.
Motonut, I don't hate anybody, including you! I did not say Reed would never win again, I said and stick to my opinion, that Reed will not win another Championship.
I am glad you read my posts, it adds to my credibility!
Who won this award the first three rounds? This is the first I've scene this.
its shaping up to be a great year 4 guys that can win regardless of who you cheer for no one wants to go to a race each week knowing who's gonna win
RV has shown the speed of a champ straight out the gate.
CR is starting to look like his old Mr Consistant self (amazing what two years on the same bike can do)
RD has proven the KTM which in my opinion is a great looking bike is capable of race wins.
And ol JS muscled that hunk of junk yamaha to the top step, in the first three rounds the problems with that bike were easily notable have to wait a whole week to see round 4 god damnit.
but regardless we have a 4 way title fight. sweeeeeeeeetttt
Nice Ride Stewart! too bad about ur mech, amazing wat JS can do when his heads in the game & focused, I think this win was for his mechanic! I like how he reeled in Reed, made a clean pass & pulled away, ride like that for the rest of the season & the #1 plate is yours!
Ripdown,
Agreed, tell me that the media does not have a major man crush on Stewie! He gets a win and all of the sudden there is a special award and the first winner is.....................
I would think that RV who has repeatedly came from the back of the pack for the last couple of races is more outstanding than a guy who got a good start and ran up front most of the race. Don't mean to take away from Stewart's win, but c'mon, you can't deny the timing of this is a little questionable.
"And ol JS muscled that hunk of junk yamaha to the top step, in the first three rounds the problems with that bike were easily notable"
Yeah, setting the fast laps and winning all of his heat races on the "Hunk of junk" must have been tough? IT'S NOT THE BIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is this the first Racer X Outstanding Performance article?
Ya. Kept this one in reserve for when Mr Reality Bubba Trooper finally gets a win.
""Ripdown,
Agreed, tell me that the media does not have a major man crush on Stewie! He gets a win and all of the sudden there is a special award and the first winner is.....................""
Yeah whats up with this crap??? Dungey, Reed and Poto have all had rides this year that were ALOT more "outstanding" than James lastnight and yet stewie gets a "Major award" for starting 2nd and finishing 1st??? LMFAO! This is a JOKE!
Not a fan of JS, & i can't believe he didn't cave to the pressure like he has so many times before in the past. Good ride JS! he looked good, and almost comfortable.. Congrats to JGR. Is this there 2nd win?
First time for a Yamaha to get on the box this year?
Racer X your outstanding performace award is a joke! RV starts last two weeks in a row and comes all the way thru the pack and gets 3 and 4 place points. THATS AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE! Or RD getting KTM there first win in like a decade.
Racer X where was your gay award then?
What a slap in the face to so many other DESERVING riders.
Though the timing of this "new award" is clearly suspect, I'm sure it would be tough for any rider (and team) to focus on the job at hand after losing a mechanic and friend two days earlier. JGR and Stewart, great job...RacerX, not so much.
Is anyone surprised? He got a 6th place "podium interview" at A1 and last year at the SX awards ceremony they started recognizing further down than 3rd when guess who placed 4th overall. I don't really care, there's no point to be made everyone already knows he's the media darling.
Also, isn't this topic already covered by the Rock hard, ride hard award? If the RacerX Outstanding Performance winner is different than Bret's winner, won't that make Bret look silly? Nah, I guess he's already got that covered. Oh well, then, Weege should at least have to write a lame song to go along with the award.
This just in.....RacerX is announcing yet another award for this SX season now that we're a month in and James won a race. it's the 'most spectacular mid-week practice lap' .......guess who won?
haha wow... another stupid award for JS7. I'm so done watching everyone make such a big deal about James Stewart. I can't wait for him to retire so I don't have to hear about him anymore and maybe then the media will give a more equal distribution of attention to all the riders!
Red54, I'm not going to say Reed will be sending Stewart a xmas card, but he didn't need to tweet that if there wasn't a little truth in it, and if it has a hiden agenda, im not going to speculate. A public compliment is just that. Last year JS7 gave Reed props, and I believe he ment it. It goes both ways.
@retardcross, i totally understand that man, but what i was talking about was my perception that somebody was saying the reason that RV didn't get by Chad and James was because of the fact that he was riding smart and looking at the big picture,which i think is BS. You and i are talking about two different things here. It makes perfect sense to say RV rode smart and relaxed, just like they have said about JS, but it wasn't a conscious, "smart choice" RV made by staying behind those two.....on that particular night, he just couldn't make it happen!!
...oh, and i think James looked dialed ALL night last night, not just after he got a cushion!!
I agree with what you're saying, I expected RV to come on stronger after his heat race performance but he was slipping after his inital push in the first half of the main. What makes RV different is he didn't have it Saturday and took a 3rd safely. You could see in his riding he backed down, and actually continued to make mistakes still. Knowing when it's go time and when it's not is something he did well last year and I think we will see it again this season. Next weekend is a whole new race and it's still anyone's to take.
@Red54m
hmmmmm...... I'm not so sure that's what you were saying.... Pretty sure that it was way more than just no more championships - but anyways......
and not a "hater"? Really!? Here is your own post dude:
"REEDtard sounds like such a douche sometimes! He can never say he got beat by the better man that day. He always has to blame his own riding. If anybody seriously thinks when he was out front with a holeshot and able to hold off James and RV for so many laps and he was not riding great or even his best, give me a break! I think that is just his way of telling himself he is still capable of being the best. I guess you have to do whatever works but it sounds like sour grapes and his baby routine always comes to the front when the going gets tough!"
Me thinks you have memory problems!