ChellV rnlcks Ka.asa#ri's James Ste.arf Jr.
nto the
James stewart has chaRged
the sport of motocross
By GEOFF MEYER
PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN
J
ames Stewart Jr. is likely the fastest 125cc rider
in the world today, which is an amazing accomplishment for anybody - much less a 17 -year-old
second-year pro. He suffered from unforced crashes
throughout the 2002 125cc Western Regional
Supercross season, but he showed his worth with
four wins - including a dominating performance at
the season-finale Dave Coombs Sr. 125cc
East/West Shootout in Las Vegas.
Since his outdoor debut last year at Glen Helen, he's
been nearly unstoppable - winning the championship
and setting a single-season 125cc National win
record with 10 out of 12.
So far this year, he has corrected his crashing
tendency, and his performances have been quite
dominating - with his closest competition in terms
of speed and points coming from defending champ
and rival Travis Preston.
Now that he's firmly established hjmself as the
fastest tiddler rider on the planet both indoors and
out, we sat down with him, and this is what he had
to say:
Q
Tell us a little about how it all began for you.
l rode my first bike when I was 2 years old. My
dad raced, and he got me on a bike very early.
I had my first race when I was like 4 years old, and I
won four National Championships for Amateurs,
A
James Stewart can throw the
whip as well as almost anyone,
but after Jeremy McGrath
retired, he began celebrating in
tribute to the former champ with
Nac-Nacs as well.
18
FEBRUARY 12, 2003'
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