Rapid ReaXtion: James Stewart to JGR
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 | 10:40 AM
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PrintWelcome to a new feature on Racer X Online: Rapid ReaXtion. When news breaks, members of our editorial staff will weigh in with their initial thoughts on the deal. Read our analysis, and then weigh in with your own via the comments section at the bottom.
Jason Weigandt: This is a win-win for JGR, because they get the man who at least has the potential and talent to be the fastest man on the planet, but without the pressure of having to win every race. Stewart has had a rough two years, so if he doesn't dominate in 2012, it won't come down so harshly on the team. But if he does break through, the squad looks good. Rarely does a team get a rider with this kind of talent while still packing mixed expectations. Remember, when Stewart switched to Yamaha for 2009, he was coming off of a perfect 24-0 outdoor tour, so he was expected to dominate.
For Stewart, it's a chance to get back on a team that races outdoors, which will help his rep immensely, especially if he succeeds there. It also could open some doors to NASCAR, although the details of that are surely far down the road.
The questionable part is the bike—it appeared Stewart didn't like the Yamaha, but he's back on one. Is the JGR setup really that much better than what Stewart rode in 2012? The JGR team is yet to prove themselves as truly championship-ready, so Stewart is taking them to new levels of expectations. Are they ready?
Stewart's new bike at the JGR race shop.
Chase Stallo: When James Stewart finally put his signature on the dotted line, putting to rest weeks of speculation, officially making him a member of Joe Gibbs Racing, JGR immediately received the star power and ready-made championship contender the team has lacked since its inception.
This deal also means a return to the AMA Pro Motocross Series for Stewart, which should satisfy the burning desire of fans and media members alike that have been salivating to see one of the fastest riders in the country make his return to the great outdoors.
The only problem that could arise for this seemingly perfect match is the fact that JGR is still running Yamahas. While the new Yamaha obviously satisfied Stewart during testing, he—along with others—were very critical of the last year’s model. At the end of the day JGR hit a grand slam with the signing of Stewart, a critical piece of the puzzle the team has been missing.
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It will be good to see him outdoors but its goin to be hard to do 24-0 again!
So it looks like the press is gonna make the bike the x-factor with this deal right out of the gate, huh?? Well, i guess i'm takin' the cheese on it because i was hoping for Yellow for JS!! Time will tell!
Next SX champ
I am thrilled because this will help the sport. I wonder if Stewart will be living at the compound and held to the same workout routines and standars that the other rides like Brayton have been.....he needs it. He needs a father-like figure to keep him focused. I can't wait to see he and RV2 go at it now.
If it doesnt work out as planned I think James will be out of excuses. He tested the bike . He has a different trainer. He has had plenty of time. No more excuses, unless of course there is an injury involved. Can't wait to see how this goes.
After reading the USA Today article i might have to disagree with Weege about the "no pressure" aspect of this signing.......sounds to me like they fully expect to win with James....i think the pressure IS on!! Just my opinion!! Ya got my support JS...go make it happen! Damn it, i want Dungey to do well on that KTM though too!! Can't wait!!
They had this story on USA Today sports, and they went more into JS7 switching over to NASCAR. Said he has already started testing in cars. I dont understand why all the MX stars think they have to race cars...its like actors thinking they should be rockstars and rockstars thinking they should be actors. Do one thing and do it well. Plus I cant imagine JS7 on a NASCAR track...talking about a disaster waiting to happen
The bike was Bubba´s perfect excuse this year. That will not work next year.
If he doesn´t win a title next season it will be only Bubba´s fault.
Will be interesting if the nascar thing is gonna make it any easier for him.
I think it adds more pressure. If he doesn´t dominate they won´t be happy at JGR and the nascar will become pretty unlikely.
Where has Stewart ever commented on not liking Yamaha's. It has been an internet rumor at best but even this POS article states
"The questionable part is the bike—it appeared Stewart didn't like the Yamaha"
"The only problem that could arise for this seemingly perfect match is the fact that JGR is still running Yamahas"
Do you think that if someone was rich enough to support his own team and run his bike of choice he would sign with a team on a bike he didnt like?
Let's not forget that JGR has serious development capability (machine shop, dynos and race-oriented engineering, etc...) to cover every technical aspects of MX racing.
With JGR, JS7 can potentially get a bike that suits him very well (so that speed does not come at the expense of taking huge risks...).
This is no factory team though and I would be surprised if they get a championship in 2012.
@b-rabbitt: This article may shed more light on what Stewart thought of the Yamaha last year.
http://www.racerxonline.com/2011/09/28/insight-sergio-avanto
Looks like JS7 got a replacement Tundra :)
Confidence and comfort equals speed and wins for JS7....I think what Weeges meant by pressure is....he has had 2 off years and isnt defending the title like RD was last year and RV will be in 2012....James can just focus on wining races and have a more relaxed - fun approach......I am eager to see how it works out....being a total flop isnt in the cards...wont happen....James showed last season he has the speed and was still the fastest guy out there....with a little SMARTER approach and support team....things may turn for the better
And we thought last season was a barnburner. I hope next year goes full tilt with no injuries and everyone finishing both series! Hey we can dream cant we!
GOOD luck to all and have a very merry Christmas..... whoops too early... have a happy and safe holloween and whatch out for bad apples??? Also everyone make sure you take your tard pills to keep the site fun!!!!
This is good for JS those Gibbs guys dont like BULLSH#T.yesssssssss the outdoors...yesssssssssssss.
Does the front view of that Tundra show red & blue lights in the grille, or is it advanced stealth?
remember just because the team races outdoors doesnt mean he will. all im saying is i can picture him at the last second not feeling like doing it so he wont. guys like stewart always do whatever they want to
I think this is awesome for stewart!!!
Just stay off the ground, cuz the bike j-bone is about to hook JS7 up w/ is a rocket ship that will be ridable.
Confidence is a huge thing
JS7 IS NOT THE FASTEST MAN ON THE PLANET !!!!!! Two years of not and someone keeps poping this into the papers. RV#1 is the Fastest man on the planet now. JS will never be hungry for a championship again. He might want one but I think he has lost his edge and the others riders know it and they will pick him apart and not let him have anything for free any longer.
I think any rider that sits out the outdoors on purpose is crazy. It isn't possible to sit out that long and lose timing, fitness, etc. It then takes months to get that back. If the rider is too old, it doesn't come back.
I think what James needs to do is just back it down a notch. RV will be close to his equal speed-wise but I think he'll have an edge mentally.
JS- back it down a notch, settle for the occasional 2nd place, finish all of your races and I think you can win a championship or two again.
Please STOP the fmotp AND the built in bike excuse right up front. really cant take it anymore.
@ride111mph.......seriously dude??? "I think he has lost his edge and the others riders know it and they will pick him apart and not let him have anything for free any longer."....SERIOUSLY?? not let him have anything for free any longer?? WHAT-EVER man!!
But this next year looks to be even better than last!
I'm re-posting from the other thread...but I feel this is relevant and I'm lazy!
This one goes out to you Whatever....
Wow...some of you guys are so convinced JS is gonna dominate again? Kind of disrespectful to the guys who just gave us one of the best racing seasons ever don't ya think?
Here's how it's gonna play out. Bubba holeshots the main at A1 and starts his sprint....two laps in he looks over his shoulder as he whips it over the finsh line just to see how far back everyone is already and all he see's is a green #2 ( possibly #1 ) on his back wheel.....suddenly he realizes someone else has his speed! No problem....he's James Stewart....the fastest man on the planet! He'll just hold it wide open thru the whoops and run away....right? Nope....yard sale....panic....destruction.
Two things will come into play next year.....RV may well be one of the best pressure riders of all time.....when he needs a win he digs deep and gets it. Stewart, whether you want to acknowledge it or not does not deal with pressure well. There are many examples but you only have to look back at Vegas last year. Windham refused to let him get away and you all know what happened.
Show some respect to the racers who brought it week in and week out this summer....and wait a few races before you give Bubba Trooper the title!
BORING, BORING, BORING. He's back on Yamahas just like last year. He's not on a factory team... NO BIG DEAL...
2012 is shaping is shaping up to be awesome! RV is the man right now and JS is going to to have to work for this SXchampionship a lot harder than he tried in 11'. With the confidence RV has right now, his comfort on the 12' Kawi and the facyt that he does seem to be getting better- next year he could easily dominate with a large percentage of wins. Biggest thing about RV is that he KNOWs when to back it down when he has too and JS is only good at this for a race or two before he decides to do a Saturday yard sale.
Motomad724 please see Welkers comment about the pills you have forgotten to take.......enough is enough already!! Thou shalt not judge!!!
BTW- I may need to have pen ready for a JS autograph while on my many frequent travels to NC just in case I get pulled over by Stewart!
rg807 i agree with you dude.but if anyone can make it happen for JGR its stew.is it tru that his tv show is of the air?
@ Chase Stallo, I never saw that article before it was very informative. Yes the problem nowdays is most of the riders are unable to understand what and why the bike is doing what it deos? They just wanna go faster.
I myself have always wanted to make a suspension that could use the feedback from microwave ie radar for those that dont understnd then the suspension could react fast enough to compensate for the rider changing his speed during the race in diferent sections. Laser would work also and might be able to do it with the technology we have now involving the latest DSL chip that T. I has developed.
That is why I think AMA needs to change the rules for the 450 class.
Hey "Rip-a-big-one"...i have to ask why that is dedicated to me?? Surely you aren't referring to me as a guy who said he will dominate again are you?? Cuz i sure as hell never said that!! I do hope he proves your "theory" wrong though, for sure!! Just tryin' to push my buttons a little are ya?? YOO-SO-FUNEEE man!!!
What I ment to say is a few years ago when JS would make a pass they would settle in behind thinking they had nothing for him. Things have changed and he will have a fight on his hands from 5 or 6 riders that can run his pace now and they know they have something for JS. Racing MX is Mental and thinking you can do it often gets the job done
Hats off for RV the guy is good but JS could sack it 2 him straight up.
No Whatever......you just seem to really like him and I'm just trying to be friendly and prepare you in-case history repeats itself as it always seems to with this guy!
Don't get mad.....you were all fired up yesterday....I was getting a little concerned for you....
Stewart staying with YAMAHA is a career suicide. look at the shoot outs. That bike is not as good. I say RV2 is laughing right now bcoz he is gonna keep the red plate again. RV2 is gonna have a repeat of 2011.
BTW....."Rip-a-big-one". that's good.....can I use that one?
You know he got a new Tundra just for signing with JGR. Like he needs one.!!
Hopeully James will make every effort to satisfy his team and himself. JGR will see more podiums for sure, but a title? Next season is going to be stacked will some fast riders so it wont be easy for James.
@Whatever- yeah he is going to really have to work for it. RV will be on a roll, TC will be back, Dungey and Reed,
Welker- Merry Christmas, already? Alright let me set out some milk and cookies then. ha ha
Ya, i'm sure your heart was in the right place with that post "Rip".......Don't worry about me my friend, i'll be fine. Yes, i am fired up for this year...thats what it is all about isn't it?? RD and JS up front would suit me just fine!!
What about JS Entertainment? JGR has something to say about that?
Looking for a good fit for JS must have been hard. I know Honda would not put up with some of his stuff includung the TV show. The Factory people want some control so things don't get out of control.
I am sure JS will do OK with this contract. It will be interesting to see what happens when the gate drops Jan 7th 2012.
RV a repeat of 2011 dgizzy1 are kidding dude?what about RD CR JS KDUB TREY CANARD?? YOU MUST BE IN LOVE RV.
"Is the JGR setup really that much better than what Stewart rode in 2012?"
Stewart is so fast he already raced in 2012!!!!!!!!
Mcgrath has nothing to worry about my friends. Stewart will probably be in a car or truck in two years. Even if he is not, stewart couldnt carry mcgrath's shorts. Good luck bubba.
RV has learned from his mistakes, his crash at St Louis taught him that he is not bullet proof and take a second or third rather than crash tring to win. He beat every one when the chips were down, there were no gifts he earned his titles as did Dungey last year. Stewart on the other hand has not learned anything from his mistakes (crashes) he does not think about his safety nor the safety of any body else. It is un fortunate that someone with Stewarts talent Is so careless. I hope that JGR has Stewart move to Carolina to train, ride and get rid of all his distractions. Leave his BS reality show, his dad and onterage in Florida where they belong and get this kid back on track.
I am suprised JS7 went with JGR and the Yamaha after last season. Even as a fan of the tuning forks, I was really hoping to see him on a Kawi or Honda.
However, if any team (outside of a factory GYTR effort) can make that Yamaha handle properly JGR would be it. They can do all of the R&D and fab in house in their state of the art shop...at least that's the image the team projects.
The 2012 season is setting up to be awesome! Im getting tickets to Phoenix and Oakland for sure, maybe even A2 and the Vegas final!
Seriously....Ricky hasn't been out of racing that long.....how come no-one likes red-heads anymore?
mit12,
"...There were no gifts...," for RV?Getting a little post title amnesia are we?
The fluke DNFs for Dungey (SX/MX) , crashes by Kdub (SX) Stewart (SX) and Reed (MX), & TC’s two season enders (SX/MX) are the same “gifts” that you hint that Dungey got last year no? Nice try though
Hands down, RV earned all the titles this year: SX, MX, Des Nations, and MEC. He was killing it! But, racing incidents happen and those were the instances of luck that helped him overcome a DNS in SX and a slow start to MX.
gbs417 for the W LOL!!!
Development capability at JGR lmao. Read that in several places.
That will help them out in Nascar but in moto racing you need the rider to develope a bike and not a crazy ass machine shop.
Gbs 417
Riders crashing out and having mechanical problems are a part of racing. RV failed to qualify for Jacksonville he made no excuse he put his head down and did what he had to. Dungey was within 2 points of RV during the nationals again RV put his head down and did what it took to wil the championship.
Now if shallow minded what if'ers want to give out championships by giving points based on who was leading when they crashed or broke Stewart would have broken both MC's and the GOATS records. But un like the masses the AMA and FIM are way smarter that that. The person with the most points at the end of the season EARNED THE CHAMPIONSHIP. Grow up.
I had a dream last night..........Barcia (resembling the JS7 riding style) riding a 450 as fast as anyone but over his head and cleaning out JS7 and ending his season. Karma sucks! On another note as some people are discussing........there are no such things as gifts or excuses in racing. The BEST PREPARED all around riders rise to the top year after year. Injuries are part of the game and suck but staying healthy is all part of it. Like RC used to say, make your luck.
James Best Crashes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z89BokuyLQ&feature=fvst
Bad_Billy_Robinson wrote:
... I dont understand why all the MX stars think they have to race cars...its like actors thinking they should be rockstars and rockstars thinking they should be actors.
I was just saying the exact same thing to someone recently. (I hope for your sake we don't think alike.) You'd think racers would notice the how tough other MX guys have had it in Nascar, most notably RC. My guess was that the Nascar part was important enough to him to keep him on a Yamaha.
Ride111 Nice those never get old! the one I didn't see was Southwick when he blowup the bike and endo'd
Jamin
In the official press release Bubba or JGR never mentioned anything about outdoors... I bet the fraud doesnt' race nationals.
My guess is JS would like the 73 win's more than another title.
.My Guess for 2012..It will be RV and JS, RD will take time to dile in the KTM and Reed will be a click off the pase. TC?? 3 broken femers has to get in your head but he is still yopung so maybe not but I still say RV and JS run away with it. No 5 man points battle to the end.
If James stays on the Bike , No one will have a thing for him , IF !
Moto dudes go race cars because of the ......wait for it...... MONEY!!!!!!!!
Yeap.....they can go around in circles for 2 hours...finish in 10th place and still make more money than winning a SX race....pretty silly.....NASCAR is boring...I check th results or tune if for a few minutes to see how RC is doing with the truck races if I happen to see them....but I have never watched an entire race.....I am sure racing a truck is fun, especially after racing MX for 28 years straight......but look at RC...he is fat and seems to have lost that swagger he had as a MX racer....wait until your 40 to race cars....shit, some of those NASCAR guys are 55-60 years old and still win.....
All the fabrication in the world is not going to engineer the flex needed into the frame of the YZ. AMA rules do not allow frame mods - goodluck with your corner speed James - your ganna need it. As it stands RV is the fastest through the corners...simple as that. barring injury 2 championships to RV.
Its not that complicated...
mit12,
Hahaha, dont be so bitter about it! I even agreed with you that RV outright won.
This move has nothing to do with winning races, it is just his way to get out of MX, and JGR is his best route. He hasnt been true to MX for a couple of years now. He will not win races with a lack of compation for the sport. Too many other riders out there want it too much and will absolutly work their A$$ off to get it.
no shame taking the deal to help kick start your next career. Gibbs family are proven winners in all they do. this will be no diffrent. I am curious as to the JSE part. will they merge with Gibbs?
The new sheriff heard the news and calmly pushed his giant stack of left over Vegas hundies to middle of the table and said "ALL IN , Lets see what ya got"........... I'm glad Havoc7 is back ..the dude can rip beyond 99.9 percent of the mortals on this planet and it will pi*s jair off if or when he wins one. Also where as Yamaha would look like their product was not up to par if they modded it to much JGR will look like the master innovators (That they are)if they mod the dogs*it out of it and it gets results.And you know Jbone will "turn the clickers , change the pull rods and advance the timing for a little more torque....want a sticker........WORD."
I certainly hope the kid rides. I think he COULD be dominate again, IF he focus's on motocross. If not, the other jobs (movie star/ Deputy Sheriff immatator) may pay enough for the work required. After all, motocross is a helluva lotta work, if done properly. BTW wheres the mad wanker jairtime13? Surely he has impotent word?
What people my forget is JGR can fix what ever they want or try what ever they want for there team. JGR has a shock / fork dyno and can even machine there own shock bodies, I also know that they tried different offset fork clamps and shock dog bones to bring the Yamadog in line.I know they had no problems with power but if they needed they even have data loggers for the engines and yamaha will offer all kinds of help,it was no secret they had the best yamahas out there and James knows this.I believe James chose them in the end to make more money than starting his own team and to have a nascar in when he wants to retire MX/Supercross. I do hope JGR is smart enough to get another rider because James may still yardsale it.
redmanx - Seriously dude, you complain about someone being on RV's jock when you include KDub as a top runner for this year? Seriously? Pot, meet kettle.
As far as James goes, good for him. A new team. Again. Another comeback. I want more folks in the mix & would like to see him do well, but he's had a crap last couple years. With his potential, he really should be walking away from the field - in SX & MX, week after week after week. I wouldnt bet MY money on it actually happening though.
I predict a perfect season again only in reverse 0-24. RV will own him and
eat his lunch.
Gbs 417
I am not bitter, it is just gets old hearing people constantly talk about if Stewart would not have crashed, if Reed would not have gotten hurt, if RV would not have broke his leg etc so and so would be champ. Riders make their own luck, what I'f Dungey would backed it off one second a lap on the last five laps, would he have made it to the finish??? If Dungey would not had the DNF would RV have settled for seconds, thirds and and a fith in the rain????? Bottom line the points do not lie, never have and never will. Wins only matter for the record books and tie breakers.
Once a winner always a winner, go James! JS7 is one crafty racer. James you owe me a jersey cause I stick up for you cause you ride great, I only judge riders by their throttle hand, and yours is stuck in the open position. BBaaarrrrppppp
@Claxton.. RV pulls this off... He will be greater then RC....
@jairtime... No, it's a different truck.... Toyota's own modified or souped up tundra... The truck Stewie rode was raised and uglier to look at.... And I think the truck is still impounded...
I will say this, Stewie is fast, he always will be, and JGR knows how to set up the Yamaha, look at what they did for Millsaps.. Stewie will be dangerous with this team. Thier leadership in his life may be just what he needs. With all those things, he is a threat for sure.
There is no doubt that James is fast. There is also no doubt that when he crashes he crashes big. I just don't think he'll make it all the way to the Nationals to even be considered a factor.
Seems like people are so critical of Stewart. I think of lot of that comes from the attention and press that he receives (both good and bad). We know more about his personal life due to his TV Show, then any other rider. That alone opens him up for more criticism. We know very little about RV, Dungey or any other rider's personal life. I am a fan of all of these riders, and I hate it when one of them is out of the mix. Like or not, JS7 has been good for the sport overall, not many other riders would ever get press in main stream media such as newspapers, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, or his own TV show but Stewart has opened that door for that in this sport.
I wouldn't think for a second that JGR doesn't have the resources that a factory team would have. This team has a budget (with the help of huge sponsors such as Toyota) that most factory teams probally don't have. This is a great fit for JS7 and for JGR, and having Jeremy A. back by his side, (Stewie's factory mechanic for those championship years) is a huge plus. The discipline and organization of JGR will be a huge benefit for Stewart.
Keep in mind that James doesn't always have the choices that people think. Not a lot of rides are handed out, and few teams can pay his salary (or RD's or RV's), so he has to ride whatever bike JGR has contracted to ride that given year. I am just looking forward to watching all of these guys mix it up at A1. Like JS7 or not, you have to admit that the racing is just a little less exciting when he isn't there.
Good Luck James
Show me the speed
You too Mookie
Why are riders interested in Nascar? When you have a career that's generally over by age 30, it's a loooong time till you can collect social security.