Houston, SX – JDR/J-Star/KTM rider Malcolm Stewart’s bad luck continued at the Houston Supercross when he crashed in the first corner of the main event. With quick lap times and fierce determination he was able to make up a 20 second deficit and climb from last position to 16th place at the end of the twenty lap race.
Stewart was the sole rider for the JDR/J-Star/KTM Team this weekend after a practice crash last weekend left his teammate PJ Larsen with a torn ACL. Larsen is still undergoing treatment for his injury and has not yet given a date for his return.
Stewart was placed in the second Lites Supercross heat where he had a mid-pack start. He quickly moved up through the pack and was sitting inside the top three by the fourth lap. He held his position for the final two laps and finished the heat in 3rd position.
When the gate dropped for the main event, Stewart found himself on the ground in the first corner with a large group of riders who had collided off the start. When he crossed the first lap mark he was in dead last over 16 seconds behind the 19th place rider. He pushed through and by the halfway point had caught the tail end of the pack. On the ninth lap he was able to make his first pass of the race for 19th place. With the remaining laps he continued to charge hard turning lap times consistent with the lead group and was able to pick off three more riders to finish 16th.
“It is disappointing to continue to have races like this,” commented Stewart. “The team and I are working so hard throughout the week to make the improvements we need and each time we get to the race I feel great. Unfortunately, I have had a lot of issues involving crashes this year that have set me back. There are still a couple rounds left and I would still like to put my KTM in a podium position.”
Next Event: New Orleans Supercross – April 14, 2012
Overall Results Supercross Lites Class –
- Ken Roczen – KTM
- Justin Barcia
- Blake Baggett
- Blake Wharton
- Phil Nicoletti
- Alex Martin
- Jake Canada
- Justin Bogle
- Kyle Cunningham
- Matt Lemoine
- Kyle Peters
- Austin Politelli
- Les Smith – KTM
- Shane Sewell – KTM
- Tommy Weeck
- Malcolm Stewart – KTM
- Darryn Durham
- Zackery Freeburg
- Daniel Herrlein
- Lance Vincent – KTM
