Stewart Out of AMA Nationals
MURRIETA, CA (August 25, 2010) - After more than a week of training and testing since the Motocross Outdoor National race at Unadilla, a difficult decision was reached today by James Stewart and Team to withdraw from the remainder of the Outdoor National race series. Due to his abbreviated Supercross season, Stewart, with the full support of his Team, had hoped to return to the track much earlier in the Outdoor National Series. But a slow healing injury kept Stewart out of the series until recently, when he received medical clearance just a few short weeks before Unadilla. With only four races remaining in the Outdoor Series, both Stewart and his Team worked hard to train and test. And despite a very sincere attempt to return to racing, the rush to do so was visible. Though Stewart had a good run in Moto 1 at Unadilla, lack of physical preparation and challenges with the bike set up forced him off the track in Moto 2. Though they’ve had some time to make adjustments, James and the Team have decided they just aren’t ready to compete in the Series.
"I hope my fans will understand. I have said before that I wanted to be on the track starting in Sacramento. But the slow healing nature of my wrist injury made it impossible to do that. Watching race after race and not being a part of the series was very hard. All along my motivation was to get back to racing and return to the Motocross National Series for my fans and sponsors. The reality is, though my wrist is feeling great, I’m not ready to race at this level. As much as I’d like to be out there, I need more time to prepare so that I don’t put my entire career at risk by getting injured again. A younger James might not have been mature enough to make this decision, but I’ve learned a lot in recent years and sometimes you have to do what’s right, despite what’s in your heart. I’d like to apologize to my fans, the Outdoor National series and my sponsors. You've been incredibly supportive of me throughout these recent months. I am sorry if what I’ve said or done has disappointed anyone in any way, but I'll be back on the track at Anaheim 1 and ready to race. I plan to work hard over the next few months and do what I know I need to do to prepare for a chance at the next Supercross Championship title" said Stewart.
From Team Manager Larry Brooks "We had every intention of racing Southwick and beyond, but sometimes you have to see the bigger picture and make a decision based on what’s right, not on what you’d like to do at the time. We’re a Team and we have to do what we feel is best to ensure we have every opportunity to win the next Championship."
About Team San Manuel
Team San Manuel is a unique partnership between the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and L&M Racing, LLC, with the sole purpose of reaching out to Native and non-Native communities and sharing with them the value of perseverance and dedication. Building a winning team comprised of top-notch talent and community service, Team San Manuel honors the Serrano belief of caring for our community. (www.sanmanuelracing.com)
About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, California. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture. The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign nation with the right of self-government. Despite challenges and hardships, the San Manuel tribal community has continued to progressively maintain and enhance its unique form of government – focusing all efforts on providing a better quality of life for its citizens. Through economic diversification, both on and off the reservation, the tribe has been forward thinking in its efforts to build infrastructure, maintain civil services and promote social, economic, educational and governmental units including the departments of fire, public safety, education and environment and continues to pursue opportunities for future generations.
About L & M Racing
L&M Racing was formed in 2006 by Owner/Team Manager Larry Brooks and partner Mike Kranyak. Operating as Team San Manuel Yamaha, the team has garnered 2 Supercross Championship titles in just three professional race seasons. For the 2010 race season, 2009 Supercross Champion James Stewart anchors Team San Manuel as he vehemently defends his title and is joined by 2008 Supercross Rookie of the Year Josh Hill. In 2009, Team San Manuel’s James Stewart won his second Supercross Championship, his first coming in 2007, and second for L&M Racing’s independent effort. Rookie Kyle Chisholm rounded out Team San Manuel’s 2009 team. In 2008 team, Team San Manuel Yamaha, consisted of 2004 Supercross Champion Chad Reed and former West Coast Lites Champion Nathan Ramsey -- the newly-formed endeavor garnered its first championship title that season. Led by Larry Brooks, the driving force behind the Jeremy McGrath / Chaparral Racing team's three-year championship reign in Supercross, Brooks' then race effort yielded the first and only indie team to ever win an AMA Supercross Series Championship. L&M Racing is headquartered within an 8,000 square foot, state-of-the-art race facility in Southern California and is one of the most successful independently owned and operated teams in professional Supercross racing today.