AMA-SX: Stewart shares AMA series lead after sixth win

RACE REPORT 16/02/2009 Stewart shares AMA series lead after sixth win James Stewart After a first round DNF, LandM San Manuel Yamaha rider James Stewart has cut back a 23 point deficit and now joint-leads the 2009 AMA Supercross series (also an FIM World Championship) after recording his sixth consecutive victory in San Diego last Sunday. The 23 year old Floridian notched his 31st career AMA success at the Qualcomm Stadium in southern California and thanks to Joe Gibbs Racing's Josh Grant's win at Anaheim I in early January, the YZ450F remains unbeaten after seven meetings in the seventeen race competition. Stewart before practice Stewart - competing at the scene of his first of his 31 triumphs in 2002 - grabbed the holeshot and proceeded to establish a margin over reigning champion Chad Reed, who would go on to finish second to the Yamaha rider for the sixth time. "I think a lot of people wouldn't have thought, after Anaheim I, that I could be leaving California for the east coast tied for the points lead, but it's a testament to my team and the work they put in every week," said Stewart. "They worked their butts off to make me comfortable, and I really do feel comfortable now. The track was definitely tough. I just had some good luck. The track was slick, but, man, this San Manuel Yamaha was awesome. I can't wait for Atlanta!" San Diego podium Yamaha are the most prolific manufacturer at the San Diego meeting, having claimed 13 of the 26 main events held so far in the city. For the first time this season Josh Grant was not able to finish in the top five. The rookie slipped off in the first corner and was recovering positions through the pack when he 'cased' a jump and hit his throat on the bars, forcing his retirement. Round eight will take place in the confines of the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. If Stewart or another YZ450F racer takes the chequered flag then Yamaha will equal their streak of eight successive wins record in 2000. Weather: Dry Lap Record:: 0' 47.448 (James Stewart, 01/01/2006) Last Years Winner:: Charles Summey 2009 AMA-SX San Diego, CA 16/02/2009 Race 1 - 20 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 James Stewart Yamaha USA 15'36.739 2 Chad Reed Suzuki AUS 0'8.252 3 Andrew Short Honda USA 0'9.784 4 Ryan Villopoto Kawasaki USA 0'9.971 5 David D Millsaps Honda USA 0'22.744 6 Mike Alessi Suzuki USA 0'25.305 7 Kevin Windham Honda USA 0'28.299 8 Michael Byrne Suzuki AUS 0'36.110 9 Nicholas Wey Yamaha USA 0'36.457 10 Ivan Tedesco Honda USA 0'37.376 11 Charles Summey KTM USA 0'50.368 12 Thomas Hahn Kawasaki USA -1Laps 13 Kyle Chisholm Yamaha USA -1Laps 14 Tim Ferry Kawasaki USA -1Laps 15 Heath Voss Honda USA -1Laps 19 Broc Hepler Yamaha USA -5Laps 20 Josh Grant Yamaha USA -13Laps Rider Standings 14/02/2009 Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points 1. James Stewart Yamaha USA 152 2. Chad Reed Suzuki AUS 152 3. Andrew Short Honda USA 122 4. Josh Grant Yamaha USA 112 5. Ryan Villopoto Kawasaki USA 106 6. Ivan Tedesco Honda USA 102 7. Kevin Windham Honda USA 96 8. David D Millsaps Honda USA 91 9. Mike Alessi Suzuki USA 83 10. Tim Ferry Kawasaki USA 74 11. Josh Hill Yamaha USA 64 12. Heath Voss Honda USA 51 13. Paul Carpenter Kawasaki USA 46 14. Nicholas Wey Yamaha USA 44 15. Benjamin Coisy Honda FRA 34 16. Kyle Chisholm Yamaha USA 31 30. Sean Hamblin Yamaha USA 3 32. Broc Hepler Yamaha USA 2 Manufacturer Standings 14/02/2009 Pos. Manufacturer Points 1. Yamaha 175 2. Suzuki 152 3. Honda 134 4. Kawasaki 119 5. KTM 23 Yamaha Racing Communications Hoogte Kadijk 61 HS / 1018 BE Amsterdam / The Netherlands T. +31 (0) 20 330 2709 / F. +31 (0) 20 420 9470 E. office@yrc.nl W. www.yamaha-racing.com