Monday Conversation: James Stewart
Monday, February 7, 2011 | 10:10 AM
Alpinestars has been delivering performance of the highest level on the motocross tracks of the world for almost 50 years. Racing on Sunday and developing on Monday is a way of life at Alpinestars. Welcome to the Racer X Monday Conversation.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
PrintJames Stewart took his second-straight Monster Energy Supercross win on Saturday night in Anaheim, but it was the way he did it that really made an impact. Stewart dominated every lap of the main, busting out a super-technical quad-quad jump through a rhythm section that no one else attempted. After the race, he was enjoying the moment.
Really, what am I supposed to ask you about that race? You dominated. Good job.
Yeah, you know it was good. I got an awesome start and put the laps in. We’ve been waiting all year to ride a decent race. As time is going, we’re getting better. The Yamaha worked awesome tonight, and I can’t say enough about my team. I’m happy to get a win like this, especially on a big night like this.
So have you been making big changes and big gains in your program, or is this improvement tonight just a matter of you getting your racing legs back underneath you?
No we’re not more than three or four clicks different from where we were in Anaheim. So the bike’s not a problem. It’s just a matter of a few little things. Like moving the handlebars up.
Whoa, whoa. Did you really decide to move your handlebars up?
Yeah I did!
Really?
Yeah. I was really nervous to try it, I didn’t want to jinx myself, so I told my mechanic to move them up, so this way if it didn’t work I could just blame him. So I went out in the first timed practice and I was just hoping it would work, and I was like “yeah, this feels good.” So that was about it. It was just an awesome night tonight. I just want to give a shoutout to all of the breast cancer survivors, and cancer survivors in general. And Feld did a great job putting this event together, and Dirt Wurx did an awesome job on the track. The stadium was filled, people were fired up, this is what supercross is supposed to be all about. Even when you get out front and you’re going by yourself, I think the people were still stoked on my jumping those quads, I was trying to give it to them.
Stewart got the start and never looked back cruising to his second consecutive victory.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Talk about those quads. The transition between those jumps was very small, there was hardly any room for error if your timing was off.
Yeah, I just felt comfortable. And when you’re on your game like that, you can get into those things perfect. I was especially comfortable with it on the first few laps. I had one quad I didn’t want to have to pull out in the main event, so I was like, “Please just give me a good start so I don’t have to jump this.” I was able to get out there and just try to keep the times where they were.
Yeah that other quad, at the end of the first rhythm lane, that was really big. You were hoping to not have to jump it?
Yeah, exactly, I was hoping to not have to jump it. I did it in the heat race one time, and I about bit my Tag handlebars landing that one. I did it a few times in practice, too, so I was like, “Dear Lord, just let me not have to jump this tonight.” So I got the start and did the other ones, so I didn’t have to.
Stewart had plenty of reasons to celebrate Saturday night in Anaheim.
Photo: Simon Cudby
What’s it feel like now, after a few weeks of battles, to have kind of an old-school James Stewart win where you just had everyone covered like this? How good does that feel to finally get back to that level?
Well, Ryan rode good. So did Dungey. I don’t know what happened to him in the main event, but he was good in his heat race and in practice. So I think everyone is just getting their way into race shape, and getting better every week. I think we have a little ways to go, to get better, but this was definitely a great improvement. I think the track was good, too. It was technical, you had to time everything right, it wasn’t just wide open and flat landing everything. Obviously, that played into my style.
What’s up with not riding the second timed practice?
It’s all good. I’m still a little sore from those crashes last week. When I was a kid I could just hop back up from that stuff, but now I’m the old man, so I had to bust out my cane all week just to get up to my motorcycle! No, no, it wasn’t that bad, but I was still feeling it a little from last week, so I wanted to just take that off. And the motorcycle was so good, I didn’t want to go out there and even think about changing anything. Normally the tracks get worse and worse, but this time they went out and fixed it, so I was worried it would be a lot different, but I felt good and strong so it wasn’t a problem.
Share this article:
Did you like this article?
Check out THE DARK KNIGHT
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Tyler Bowers has become a star on the Amsoil Arenacross circuit, but the often-controversial racer just hit another peak—a surprise win at the 2013 Las Vegas Supercross. Page 148.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
Yeah!!! GO BUBBA!!!!! woohoo
Boy,, I bet the JS haters ar crying now... If he isnt the " fastest man on the planet, " I sure would like someone to tell me who is ???
I was just watching some old Bubba videos from the 125 class and 450 battles with RC and I instantly remembered the feeling back then that I had about how Stewart was going to be unstoppable. I think he's getting that feeling again. That was an awesome show you put on this weekend Bubba.
Awesome Ride by JS7! - Crazy to think that with how talented all these riders are, JS7 still stands out on his own by doing a rythym section differently than the entire field and nobody except RV2 even tried the quad quad..that just shows the talent level and that stair step turn right before the mechanics area, JS7 didnt even sit down through that section most lap while most the field did....he is an amazing rider.
I'm not going to go out and say that he will walk through the competition from here on out, but I will say he's traditionally a slow starter early in the SX season. It seems like it takes him the first 3 rds to get comfortable. He's definitely hitting his stride. I would agree with the commentators in such that the quad-quad combo was giving him the advantage, but I RV wasn't that far behind him. I still don't buy into him running away with it. One DNF and this thing flip flops...
...not too mention that one, Stewie isn't an "old" man...he just turned 25....and two, he just seems so more relaxed, patient and mature overall....RV2 is my man, but JS7 is "the man".....JS7 easily has 3-4 more years potential to dominate the series and be a contender....RC bailed out too early in my opinion, he could have held out a few more years and still been a top 3...heck, RC could probably get a top 5 right now if he was in shape.....KDUB is 34 and he still out there, but he was never a JS7 and he still gets some good finishes......RC lost the fight, he was burned out and wanted to race on the couch, or Nascar......Now Pastrana beat him to it......
I think he needs more then one dominating race before calling the championship......So take it easy fanboys.
One dominating performance? Oh you mean THIS season! hehe
Man...I don't know what to do...I was right on him.
All those butt holes on the message boards hyping me up. Damned.
I'm in a tight spot.
Where are all the haters?? Where is the guy a few weeks ago talking about the straight up BS? JS7 Showed he is still a dominant force in SX and I agree with the previous statement he is notoriously a slow starter so it will be interesting to see how he progresses from here.
Pizzacorner,, I guess I didnt read anything on this post about " calling the championship." Where did you get that from,, or are you just a little mad that JS won ???
Stewie looked good, he always rules the rhythm sections and this track has alot of them. If he gets a groove going and alot of confidence it spells trouble for everyone else. RV2 needs to win the next one. RV looked good too, just couldnt make any time on Stewie on a track like that, not with Stewie dialed. And what about Hanson, getting a win with a broken hand, that is cool. And a great ride by Tomac too.
If the remaing races follow suit to what we have seen so far and JS7 remains injury free, then he has the best chance at winning the title.....but RV2 has shown that he is hungry and the #1 plate can just as much end up on his bike as well....When JS7 performs like he did Saturday, people start racing for 2nd place and capitalizing on a JS& bad night...JS7 could have got a last place start and got top 3 this week.....easily
The more technical the track, the faster JS will be.
Good moto. Stewart sprinted away at the start to build up his gap. RV's lap times were close so if not for the gap it could have been closer between those 2. Reed was solid. Tough luck for Dungey and the chain.
Man Bubba looked good on Saturday night as I would expect on a technical track, he looked 100% in control too. It looked pretty one-lined which I think put a bit of a damper on the racing overall which is kind of a bummer. That spoke for itself watching RV struggling to get around Tedesco in the heat race as Tedesco has nothing for RV any other day. Speaking of which, how sick was RV's pass on Tedesco when he squared up that tight left hander and passed him on the outside coming into the following right hander in the heat race? That was wild. We're not quite 1/3 of the way into the series yet though so let's not hand out any championships yet.
Just remember it takes RV2 awhile to get up to speed too. Not sure if any of you guys remember how long it took last year until he started clicking off wins one after another......I wouldn't crown Bubbles just yet!!!!!!! Stewart is definately flying and the rest of the boys are going to have to step it up but the reality of it is the only one who can match Bubbles speed is RV2......hopefully when they get back East he can catch on fire and start reeling the points back in!!!!!! If not........Bubbles is the champ!!!!! Bring on the outdoors.......real racing!!!!!!!
LOL to all you BUBBA HATERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok so ill give it up to James,He is fast,BUT his EGO is out of control!!! which makes me not want to support him, But I do believe he will win the tilte unles he and RV DNF and Dungey wins 1 or 2. . I think he just needs to have more class is all. PS GET RID OF Larry Brooks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dungey did rule!!! lol
This sport comes down to a guy wishing he did not have to risk his health and life by doing a quad in order to win? Great job.
Now back to a real sport where fitness and skill are needed to win.
Dungey is now where he would have been last season had james, rv and reed been in it. i disagree that larry brooks is the problem with james ego. larry just tells it like it is and i have appreciation for that. i believe james has earned the right to be very confident. he has eventually taken down every opponent that he has encountered. he is the fastest ever.....plain and simple!!!!! P.S. RV2 is going to smoke dungey outdoor!!!!!!!!!
Yea I agree,if RV stays healthy he will smoke everyone and that includes Bubbles if he does out doors.
rv is still better, bubba just jumpin the wuad only reason he won ..rv is better outdoors too so RV= FASTEST MAN ON THE PLANET
Not so fast guys. I like Bubba too but RV,Reed and Dungey are still very much on the hunt. Canard too. Remember we are not even halfway there and a lot can happen even in 3 races remaining. RD had a DNF but still theres a lot racing left and every racer has his day. RV and JS day is coming. You just have to try to minimize the damage. JS is looking good but its way too early to hand out anything. If RV&JS; have a DNF then its all even again
jacob450,,, yea right,, JS is a turd outdoors ,, hahaha... " rv is better " cant even reaveal his real name...
Eric Sorby must be putting in some serious practice laps with JS to get him in such good shape.....
Bubba doesn't seem like he's arrogant as some have posted. I like Bubba but I'm hoping RV or someone else steps up and challenges for race wins and the championship.
Bad Mama Jama !
Observations: Are we really surprised that JS7 is winning races. Now for all the haters dissing the riders. Until you've walked in their shoes, your opinion's about the riders and what happens out on the track amounts to less than a pile of ant crap. Enjoy the racing, the ups/downs of what happens out there on the track, and mostly the coverage. It's not perfect, remember it's not the NFL, so just enjoy what you have you bunch of whining haters. All the top riders have proven themselves in their careers. The fact that we get to see all of them battle it out this year in one class is awesome. What these riders did in the past is not tainted by what happens this season or any other season. Let the racing do the talking ...
I find the fan base surrounding any James Stewart headlines hilarious. On one side you have the "haters" (which simply means you don't have a man-crush on Bubba, although some are actually haters), and on the other side you have the absolute hardcores who can't get off his johnson and totally discredit other riders when Bubba doesn't perform. Both look equally as ridiculous as the other.
I love how the media (and most everyone else) has hyped up the last few seasons to be the "best ever". It's like anything else when you hype it up that much it can't possibly live up to expectations. This season so far is just that. One good race so far and the rest - boring. No matter who's healthy, who's switched teams, who's now in shape it is always a two rider battle at most and usually one dominating. Unless JS7 gets a fifth place start and RV2 gets the holeshot then you wont see much of a battle, especially on a technical track where Stewie straight dominates. Pick your poison - boring ass tracks where everyone is within 2 seconds of each others lap times or bad ass tracks where you hand JS7 the top step of the podium before the race begins.
motorcycles are cool
Retardcross,, I think its pretty funny that you tell other to " get off his johnson," while you are clearly stuck on RC's johnson,, and he doesnt even race anymore..
I'm not a huge fan of his but I'll be surprised if he loses another race. I was hoping some other guys could battle with him but I just don't see it. Only James will beat James. It's really boring to watch. He's going to hurt these guys bad at Daytona. Hopefully he doesn't race the outdoor series!
JS7 is a turd OUTDOORS??? REALLY??? Sorry, but dont you remember the 2008 Outdoor Nationals? 24-0, if he stays healthy through Supercross and does the outdoors then I dont think he will get anything worse than Podiums. Granted RV2 is good outdoors and on a 450 will be very fast. But if im correct, 3 months ago people on these comments said JS7 would never win a Supercross again, yet here we are, 5 rounds in and he has won 3 and been on the Box in the other 2. Seriously think about what your saying. He hasnt all of a sudden forgotten how to ride outdoors.
@Retardcross .. and then there's people like you .. the self-acknowledged retards. You think you're smarter than everyone else when, in fact, you probably have your little sister spell-check your meaningless comments.
Kicker,,,, chill out homey,,, I was KIDDING !!! Notice the " hahahah. "
Where are the guys who said JS and Reed are done?? LMFAO!!!
dgizzyIf JS and RV have a DNF thing are NOT all even.... RD will still be down 13 points!!!
mxmofo, as said before you can find an argument in everything. I'd like to know when I developed an RC crush, from the one and only post that mentioned his name a couple days ago? Well if I'm the superfan of RC that you say I am (which I'm not) then so be it. Add up the championships, read it and weep. Now I get bashed for being literate as well lol? Too funny. Noone is denying that JS7 is fast and I always give him credit where it's due so I don't know why you have such a hate on for me. Is it because I look at the big picture, every top rider's accomplishments and give them credit also?
anybody counting RV out is nuts.
Retardcross,, It sure is funny how you can bash everyone on here,, but you cry when some one bashes you.. You're sitting there telling poeple to " get off Bubba's johnson,, and your are tellimg ME that I "can find an argument in everything." Now thats funny..
First of al I want to Congratulate James Stewart for his win at A2 I never got to watch it. People think he has an ego? The person that had the greatest ego was the honorable Mr Bob Hannah yes if I was asked who my hero or inspiration came in my racing days it was Hannah, and just like Hanna Stewart is backing it up. James has never badmouthed anyone, as far as I know. It is adifferent time and era in Supercross and Motocross. SOme of the comments made here on this site have really made me ashamed to be a fan now and yes I started racing in72 My body gave out in about 94 I last raced in 95. How some of these pros can make it as long as they do only shows they are Superhuman beings anyone that can make either the finals for the 450 class or the so called lites class have talents beyond most mortals. SO lets just have fun ANYTHING can happen yet and I hope everyone gets through the season. Lets give accolades to whom it is do each week and have fun.
Bill C - Very true...as far as points go, if RD finished in 6th or 5th this past weekend which is where he would have ended up if the chain stayed on, he would have been down 7-8 more points totaling approx -20 going into Houston...almost a full race anyway...You can have some bad races and even a DNF...but you have to stand on top of the box the rest of the time,especially when your comptetion is on the box each week so far ...I see RD maybe pulling a victory this year, he is a great rider and others will have off nights.......but I dont see him winning multiple races or being top 3 every week.....so for shits and giggles...give hime 12 points for saturday instead of 1....it wont make much a difference....
mxmofo is right stewert is the fastest and the gnarliest rider...i still wnt villopoto to win this thing
How is watching ONE guy, do something that no one else can do, BORING?
And until we get some wider tracks, passing will be a thing of the past.
High five welker.
RV shouldve grown a pair and quad quad that section. mayb he wouldn't have been destroyed by stewie as much as he did
Man I can't deal with beating my head off this wall anymore, even when it's in the face of concrete facts superfans still try to turn things around, that should have been the giveaway not to get into it right off the bat. I'll take a little cheap shot here and point out the FACT that your boy has won 3 out of 12 championships he was eligible to compete in since he moved to the 450 class (granted he sat out 08 SX, but he's also not the first to sit out a series to heal). Like someone the other day so kindly put it, "the fastest man on the planet that shoulda/coulda/woulda dominated......but hasn't". Explain that to me please. Actually don't waste your time, I won't be back in here to read it. Let the excuses start flying, I'm over it. I should have known better than to start commenting in the first place. And trick, I agree something has to change so the pack isn't following eachother around out there. Now I'm going to get back to enjoying the races and watching ALL those guys do what they do best. People need to stop crowning champions less than 1/3 of the way into a series too, especially seeing how the points leader right now is the most likely to self-destruct out of anyone, which I don't want to see. Props to Stewart on his ride Saturday night, he looked great. Peace.
3 out of 12 ?
mxmofo, getting on a guy for not using his real name? really? I asume your real name is MOFO..
Retardcross ( the perfect name for you ),, Why dont you answer my question in the 2nd post from the top ?? I love how you ALWAYS bring up the past to try and deny the present.. If you dont RV can "self-destruct," you are an idiot !! Remeber,, he hasnt completed ONE FULL season on a 450 yet...
bd200,, yea,, "rv is better" is a great name.. Do I really have to xplain that to you ??
bd200,, yea,, "rv is better" is a great name.. Do I really have to explain that to you ??
JS has won every title that the AMA offers in supercross and motocross....The fact that he is still so motivated and emotional about everyrace is amazing and I give the guy credit for that. I love Jeff Emig but partying helped end his career, J-Law and many others could not stay so focused. Even though People can say he's the best...He honestly doen't believe it because there are still records that he has not beat. JS is a confident guy but is also grounded from what I as a long time fan can see. How can so many people get mad that he's fast on a motorcycle?? This post can be so childish at times. It's racing people, it's a sport of blood, sweat and tears. RV2 is Fast RD5 is right there but having confidence issuesTC41 is a wild card CR22 is a wild card Oh and did I forget JS7...impossible.. Maybe some nights not to be fastest .....but to be HARD to BEAT!!
Some people make me laugh but in all there is a ton of smart people who know a lot about this sport on here! Cheers to you all. That was a Bubba performance saturday and giving him confidence could spell trouble for everyone else(not saying he'll win out) But i feel he's #1 contender now!
P.S where are all you getting that RV is better than James outdoors? Have you ever seen James ride outdoors? He RAILS so does RV but I don't believe you could just give it to him they havnt even gone at it yet! I just hope James is on the gate come Hangtown!
I agree with everyone on here that posted that the tracks are too narrow for passing on this year. The one line stuff has got to stop.
Even though james hasn't done much with his 450 career (yet), some of us cannot forget what he did on that 125. AM I RIGHT?? Anyone who thinks villopoto is a better outdoor rider than stewart, has some reading to do.
Trick: Thank you! Seriously, the kid was amazing on a 125 turning laps faster than the 250s consistantly! Villopoto was incredible too, no one will forget MXoN 07 but he doesnt hold a candle to JS 125 pure speed. BTW 24-0 only happened 3 times 2 people!
responding to any post on here not represented by an Avatar picture is a waste there are posers submitting stuff under everyone else s name. James is winning because he is the fastest right now, would have been more interesting if Dungey was in it keeping the 22 and 2 more honest. James Quad sections were wild.
Only one rider gave stewart any challenge on the 125. Stephane roncada passed and repassed him a couple times, in the last 2 indoors, and first couple outdoors, of stewarts final year.
Yeah this was the coolest track so far, but still not enough places to pass. They were only getting to pass on the turns after the long sections in the last couple races. I hope the track guys can make tracks with rythms like this week but add in some cool bowl turs like the one RV passed on after the whoooop section. I dont think even Red Arrow would be able to make passes on these tracks, And he has been real fast this season.
COME ON!! ITS OVER! nobody stands a chance against this guy! Where all dem Bubba Hatas now huh?! guess you girls ran away and hid like RV And RD half way thru da main. Predidiktion: Stewart wins every race till vagas! count another championship for Stewart
great race, go bubba, dungey was hauling the mail also till his chain broke,, I think RD1 is coming around...RV is a kock
RV can go suck a hot one. wheres all his worshipers now huh? this is where his arogance gets him, almost in third in points now cause of that sad performance. boo hoo
RD was going good DUB but would have got 5th... Maybe 4th at best. He spent WAY to much time move up. and why do u need to tell us you want RV's kock?? We don't care!!
@db400 - what arrogance are you talking about, from villopoto? He is one of the coolest guys out there.
Yea right, doesnt sound like it in his interviews. Its stewarts championship now
ok. im going bowling.
So what did you guys think of the super bowel? ha
Red beard RC lost the fight are you that ignorant where did that come from? Db 400. RV arrogant. What have you been watching. Are you talking about when he said would have WON. Or was that JS. Don t really remember DO YOU. Guess not. Let's just hope they all stay healthy It s not over till db 400 wife sings !
I think that james will be the best rider to ever throw a leg over a bike. In time. He is just insane!!!!! parkinglotstripingmn.com
Derek. He does not have enough time to catch the goat or even. J M. You must be like 15 to 19 to even say that
And go a pick up some trash or paint some stripes in a parking lot seriously why did you even put that at end of your post. lMAO
And go a pick up some trash or paint some stripes in a parking lot seriously why did you even put that at end of your post. lMAO
This blinking AD IS ANNOYING AS SHIT BUT STEWART IS ON IT AGAIN
RetardCross: lets look at those nine ‘450’ championships, that stewart Failed to win….
5 were due to injury. (1) His very first 450 race. (2 & 3) The knee (which wasn’t his fault, and cost him TWO championships.) (3 & 4) the narvicular bone /joint (was totally his fault, and cost him TWO championships)
Took one summer off, to make bubbas world in 2009.
Lost to r/c, straight up, on equal machinery (kx450f/rm450z = same bike) in 2006 outdoors.
Almost beat r/c for sx title in 2006, but 2 points shy. (and, r/c had a few asterisks next to THAT title)
Raced a 250 against all 450’,s on outdoor tracks, and was beaten regularly, not only by r/c, but by reed and windham, as well. (I believe one other guy, had a 2 stroke out there)
So, through all of this, how MANY times did somebody ‘mop up the floor‘ with, or ‘own him‘, or ‘whatever‘…?
TWICE. in 2006.
against the winningest racer in the history of all motorsports, Ricky Carmichael.
Sorry to confuse the issue, with useless facts……………
sorry, i didn't mean that to sound so harsh, retardcross.
I loved sitting back and reading all these message boards for the past year about how Stewart is done, washed up, no heart, some people didn't even want him to come back. Just knowing when he came back he would be shutting all those arrogant people up. Now that he is, I love it! :)
Oh and to the guys talking about his ego. Are you scared of a little personality?
Sooo funny ! Now that James Stewart is winning suddenly the haters start to look into the outdoors insteed !
C´mon ! You act like crybabies that hasn´t got momys milk for awhile !
I cant wait til unadilla. I hope clemente desalle shows up too. Anyone remember the 125's, when stewart won on that track, with his front brake lever hanging down, and unusable? Do you think dungey will smoke him this time??? Yeah I know, nobodys on this thread anymore, and 'Im just talking to myself. Blah Blah and Blah
I think this Alpinestars ad is proof that the only way they can get you to pay $500 bucks for a boot is to hypnotize you..
LOL are they really that much?
Stewart seems to have himself in sharp order now. This is most definitely going to be a great season if everyone stays healthy.
And 'bd200' is right, Alpinestars is pulling out ALL the stops and it is more than just a little bit annoying.
I probably speak for a lot of people whom only have a problem with any*****y rider.
It's hard to argue with rider skills, but it's easy to condemn riders behaviors and character OFF the track.
I'm glad for James and it looks like he has his mouth in check. You go dude...
Remember that the fans have boo'ed r/c before too. Fans are fickle sometimes, but for 60$ a ticket, I suppose we have the right to be. I dont know who invented the phrase 'fastest man on the planet', but it wasn't stewart himself. Just like r/c didn't invent the 'GOAT' nickname. According to the parents, there have been incidents, dating back to the amatuer days, but I dont remember anything but praise, when he was dominating in the 125's. Stewarts 'hate club', began to form in '05 outdoors, when he pulled of the track, mysteriously, while running in 4th place, behind r/c, reed and kdub. He did that once at the beginning, then again, later on. Lots of people said he was a quitter, and cant deal with anything less than 1st place. It wasn't until october, that the stewart camp released the info, about his stomach virus. That rap video, on ESPN, towards the end of his last outdoors, didn't help either. People either hate rap, or they love it, so it came across as very arrogant. Then a stint on mtv cribs, showing off all of his bling bling. Landing on r/c's back, and taking out m/c in his last race got some people mad. Then, signing with L & M, and taking the summer off to make a tv show.
Reed got a lot of flack with L & m also. Anyone who rides for that team, is going to draw harsh criticism. So, I understand where the haters get thier hate from, but I dont hate the guy, even though I question his p/r skills sometimes. There are people in this world, who are far more worthy of hate, than james stewart. Imagine if there were message boards back in the 70's, I bet even hannah would had a hate club. (listen to his podcast, by the way I love hannah.) btw what does the *****y mean?
"Bubba's" hopes for a championship were tossed away tonight. So much talent - such a waste. Looks like his brother is a bit of the same - speed? Check. Guts? Check. Patience and intelligence - fail. What a shame. I'd say at least we get to see a great outdoors battle, but I think we all know Stewart is afraid to show the world he can't hang with RV/RD for a whole outdoor season. What should have been THE "GOAT," is just perhaps the fastest racer we'll ever see... for one lap here and there. I actually like the guy and LOVE watching him ride, but I think his head just has never been in the right place. He's just not that bright when it comes down to it...