James Stewart Bound for X Games 15

Los Angeles, CA - Defending Supercross Champion James Stewart confirms that he will be competing in X Games 15 in Best Whip, Super X and Supermoto racing. "I'm pumped to have a chance to attend and compete," says Stewart. "I have always wanted to do the X Games, but this is the first time that it has actually worked out contract and schedule wise."

In fact just hours before showtime, Stewart and his team are hard at work in California dialing in his hybrid roadracer/dirtbike Yamaha YZ450F Supermoto race machine. "Obviously I'm at home on a supercross track but I've never raced Supermoto before so this is all new to me. I can't wait though; it'll be a blast!" As for Best Whip, "That's in the bag," he laughs.

"Honestly, I'm pleased that James is finally making his debut at X Games," offered former AMA Supercross and Motocross champion Ricky Carmichael, an X Games Step UP Gold medalist in his own right and the winningest rider in motocross and supercross history. "X Games fans deserve to see the best of the best so it's a natural that guys like Stewart, Josh Grant and Kevin Windham would be there. They benefit from tremendous exposure and being able to position themselves with the other elite athletes that X Games attracts." Today the former motorcycle champion is pursuing a NASCAR career behind the wheel of the #4 KHI All-Stars Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado.

Team Manager Larry Brooks says James will be racing the same Yamaha YZ450F that took him to this year's Supercross season title. "But we haven't decided yet if he will do the Best Whip on the 4-stroke or compete aboard a YZ250 2-stroke."

The L&M San Manuel Band of Mission Indians-sponsored team is approaching X Games 15 with the same single-minded determination they used to capture the 2009 AMA Supercross championship. "Although James has never raced a Supermoto event before now, he was incredibly fast in our first test and he plans to be a major factor at the X Games," says Brooks.

Keith McCarty, Yamaha Racing Division Manager, had this to say about his team: "We are very excited for people to see James Stewart competing in multiple classes at X Games. Its a great way for more of them to witness his talents. We also have Brandon Curry racing Supermoto and Nate Adams has added his name to the competition." Josh Hill currently is injured.

"This is important to the entire team and James even had the X Games built specifically into his contract for this year. Let's face it, in terms of media value alone for team sponsors like San Manuel, the X Games reaches even more fans than the Supercross and Motocross seasons together," concludes Brooks. "A chance for James to show his amazing talents on live television before the world is invaluable. Our entire organization is really looking forward to it."

The fun begins this Thursday as fans can see Stewart in the Best Whip competition starting at 5:15 at the Staples Center and in the Supermoto Final Saturday, August 1 starting at 1:30 at the Home Depot Center.

X Games 15 Competition Schedule

The X Games makes a seventh appearance in Los Angeles July 30-August 2 with events staged at the STAPLES Center, the Home Depot Center, and the Event Deck at LA Live. Events on tap this year are BMX Street, Moto X Best Whip, Women's Moto X Racing, Moto X Speed & Style, and BMX and Skateboard SuperPark.

To purchase X Games 15 tickets ( Click). Ticket are $10 - $20. Thursday, July 30 is Kids Day with FREE admission to all the practice sessions at the Home Depot Center.

X Games Venues: STAPLES Center, BMX and Skateboard Big Air, Moto X Best Trick and Step Up will be featured. The Home Depot Center features X Fest, the ultimate action sports festival featuring sponsor & industry booths, BMX and Skate Vert competitions, interactive parks, athlete appearances, demos and new-to-the-X Games BMX and skateboard SuperPark. Competitions to include BMX and Skateboard Vert, Moto X Men's and Women's Racing, Moto X Speed & Style, Moto X Freestyle, Skateboard and BMX SuperPark, and Rally Car Racing.

X Games on TV: A total of Twenty (20!!!) hours of live X Games programming will be shown on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC - all showcased in high-definition and aired July 30-August 2.

X Games Online: ESPN International, Xgames.com, ESPN Classic, ESPN360.com, SportsCenter, and ESPN2's X Center will also provide coverage. For additional X Games 15 info go to www.Xgames.com