San Manuel Phoenix SX Report
TEAM SAN MANUEL’S JAMES STEWART TAKES THE HOLE SHOT, LEADS ALL 20 LAPS FOR A WIN IN PHOENIX
Phoenix, AZ - Team San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart started the day in Phoenix with his signature speed, setting the pace during timed practice sessions with the fastest lap time. In Heat Race #2, things didn’t go as smoothly. Though he gained the lead position by the end of the first lap, Stewart lost traction in a turn midway through the Heat, setting him back a couple of positions. James quickly remounted and regained his placement, finishing the Heat in 2nd for a transfer to the main. Approaching the Start Gate in the Main, Stewart was determined that this year’s Phoenix race would resemble nothing of the past. And he didn’t disappoint. Grabbing the holeshot off the start, James went on to ride 20 near-perfect laps, posting his first win of the season. “It’s been a long road back and it feels great. I really have to thank all my fans, sponsors and team for their support because I can feel it when I’m out there. “
The day was more challenging for Kyle Regal, Stewart’s teammate. Struggling in Heat Race 1, Kyle was forced to the LCQ to earn his spot in the Main, where his talent as a young rider showed through. After a solid start, Kyle quickly took the Lead putting bike lengths between he and the rest of the pack, winning the LCQ for a transfer to the Main. A decent start in the Main had Regal in 12th, and while he lost a few positions in the first half of the Main, he worked his way up to 10th place by the final lap, showing improvement and taking his first Top 10 of the season.
Both Stewart and Regal return to California to test and train for Round 3 in L.A.’s Dodgers Stadium next Saturday.
For photos from the Phoenix race, biographies and the latest Team San Manuel news go to www.sanmanuelracing.com and use password TSMMEDIA2011 for the Media LogIn.
About Team San Manuel
Formed in 2006, 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 two Supercross Championship titles in the last three race seasons. For the 2011 race season, two-time Supercross Champion James Stewart anchors Team San Manuel as he seeks his next Championship and is joined by 2009 AMA MX National 450 Class Rookie of the Year Kyle Regal. 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. In 2008, 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.
