Team Suzuki Press Office – February 11. Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s James Stewart claimed his second-consecutive top-five result at round six of the AMA/FIM Supercross Championships at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California on Saturday night.
Stewart – who came into the San Diego event with several days of mid-week testing under his belt – also raced his Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 to his second heat race victory of the season. He qualified second fastest during the day’s practice sessions and went into his eight-lap heat race with confidence. There, Stewart got a good start and moved into the lead by the race’s halfway point. Riding up front, he put his head down and held off a hard-charging second place to take the win.
Said Stewart: “This week I was able to get in two days of riding. It’s tough when you’re not able to put in the work during the week. But this was the best I’ve ridden all year, so I’m happy about that. I had to work for the win but it was fun.”
Stewart came back out for the night’s Main Event more than ready to race. Although he got a less-than-stellar start, the Yoshimura Suzuki rider made the most of his abilities and those of his Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450, riding smoothly but aggressively and picking his way through the field.
“In the Main Event, I got a bad start and was way back there,” said Stewart. “But I made some passes. Overall, it was good and the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 was running great. I felt stronger in the Main Event, I just wished I’d been able to open up and pass some people. But I can’t complain – two fourth places, top five. It’s better than where we were, but it’s still not where we want to be. Now we’ll go back and I’m going to focus on my starts and getting better for Dallas.”
Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s next event is the seventh round of the 2013 AMA/ FIM World Supercross Championships on Saturday, February 16th at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
