Stewart Wins AMA Toyota Motocross Opener in San Bernardino

By admin, 27 May, 2008
Stroupe
Picks Up First Career AMA Motocross Lites Win

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (May 25, 2008) - Monster Energy Kawasaki's James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., won today's opening round AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF at the 13th Annual Giant RV Motocross National Presented by Yamaha at Glen Helen Raceway. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Austin Stroupe, of Lincolnton, N.C., picked up his first career win in AMA Motocross Lites.

 

Stewart was dominant on this day and went on to post a solid 1-1 moto finish to notch his fifth overall victory of his AMA Motocross career. Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi, of Victorville, Calif., finished 2-2 for second overall while Red Bull Honda's Davi Millsaps, of Cairo, Ga., was third with a 3-3.

 

"I am stoked to come back and get a 1-1 today," said Stewart, who has missed a majority of the 2008 season with an injured knee. "We have been working hard. I didn't know where I was going to be at, but I was having a blast out there. I feel like we can improve and each we can get better. I'm looking forward to going to Sacramento
(next week) and that track is rough and it should be hot."

 

Stroupe capitalized on a strong opening moto, using his runner-up finish to help overcome a fall in moto two while in the lead. After falling to fourth, he battled with teammate Brett Metcalfe, of Murrieta, Calif., to take over the third spot in the closing laps. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's and defending AMA Motocross Lites champion Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., overcame a tough first moto to take the top spot in moto two, posting a 5-1 for second overall. Boost Mobile Yamaha of Troy's Jason Lawrence, of Carlsbad, Calif., took third overall, garnering his first moto win in the opening race and
backing it with a fifth place in moto two.

 

"I came (into the season) ready to go," said Stroupe, starting his first full season as a pro. "But it's going to be tough. Ryan (Villopoto) got a really bad start in the first moto and we had to play catch up with Jason Lawrence. But other than that, me and Brett (Metcalfe) rode a strong race and had a good battle. In the second moto I made a mistake. We were running a faster pace and he (Villopoto) was pressuring me and my front wheel washed out and put me on my back. It took me a couple laps to get back but I made a clean pass on Brett later on."

 

The AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF heads north to California's capital in Sacramento to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hangtown MX with the 34th Annual Honda Hangtown Motocross Classic Presented by Jackson Rancheria Hotel and Casino.

 

AMA Toyota Motocross Championship
Presented by FMF

13th Annual Giant RV Motocross National Presented
by Yamaha

Glen Helen Raceway - San Bernardino, Calif.

May 25, 2008

Round 1 of 12

 

Motocross (Moto Finish)

  1. James Stewart, Haines
    City, Fla., Kawasaki, 1-1
  2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif.,
    Suzuki, 2-2
  3. Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla.,
    Honda, 3-3
  4. Timmy Ferry, Largo,
    Fla., Kawasaki, 4-4
  5. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla.,
    Honda, 7-5
  6. Michael Byrne, Newman, Geo.,
    Suzuki, 9-7
  7. Sean Hamblin, Murrieta, Calif.,
    Yamaha, 8-8
  8. Cody Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla.,
    Suzuki, 14-6
  9. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich.,
    KTM, 10-10
  10. Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif.,
    Honda, 13-9

 

Motocross Class Point Standings

  1. James Stewart, Haines
    City, Fla., Kawasaki, 50
  2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif.,
    Suzuki, 44
  3. Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla.,
    Honda, 40
  4. Timmy Ferry, Largo,
    Fla., Kawasaki, 36
  5. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla.,
    Honda, 30
  6. Michael Byrne, Newman, Geo.,
    Suzuki, 26
  7. Sean Hamblin, Murrieta, Calif.,
    Yamaha, 26
  8. Cody Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla.,
    Suzuki, 22
  9. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich.,
    KTM, 22
  10. Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif.,
    Honda, 20

 

Motocross Lites (Moto Finish)

  1. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 2-3
  2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 5-1
  3. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif.,
    Yamaha 1-5
  4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn.,
    Suzuki 4-2
  5. Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 3-4
  6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho,
    Honda, 7-7
  7. Matt Lemoine, Pilot Point, Tex.,
    Yamaha, 6-9
  8. Trey Canard, Elk City, Okla.,
    Honda, 14-6
  9. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Tex.,
    Honda, 10-11
  10. Tommy Hahn, Alvord,
    Tex., Kawasaki, 15-12

 

Motocross Lites Point Standings

  1. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 42
  2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 41
  3. Jason Lawrence, Murrieta, Ga.,
    Yamaha, 41
  4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn.,
    Suzuki, 40
  5. Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 38
  6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho,
    Honda, 28
  7. Matt Lemoine, Pilot Point, Tex.,
    Yamaha, 27
  8. Trey Canard, Elk City, Okla.,
    Honda, 22
  9. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Tex.,
    Honda, 21
  10. Tommy Hahn, Alvord,
    Tex., Kawasaki, 15