The Moment: Daytona
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 | 1:00 PM
The Moment is brought to you by Factory Effex who is a world leader in graphic kits, Custom number plate back grounds, high end Factory Wheel sets and components; specializing in cutting edge decorative accessories for your motorcycles and ATV.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
Print
Last week, we discussed James Stewart’s dead last start in St. Louis as The Moment of the race. In Daytona, the start also told the story, but this time it was a very different one.
In qualifying, Stewart landed the fastest lap time and then went on to win his heat race. Kevin Windham also won his heat and actually had the fastest lap of anyone in the heat races, but Stewart’s total heat race time was quicker than Windham’s, which gave Stewart the first gate pick for the main event. That gate pick would prove extra crucial for the Daytona track, as nearly every holeshot had come from the inside gates. Stewart selected the inside—pole position in Daytona speak—and pretty much guaranteed himself, finally, a good start.
Stewart used the inside gate to his advantage at Daytona.
Photo: Garth Milan
But while Stewart and Windham battled down the start stretch for the holeshot, Stewart’s teammate Davi Millsaps, who had the fourth pick, got the jump and swooped in on both. Millsaps grabbed the early lead, but Stewart tucked right in behind, putting him 18 positions further ahead off the start than he was one week ago. From there, it was clear and JGR/Toyota Yamaha rider was going to win. Did Stewart turn his season around in just one moment? We’ll check back in with it next week to find out.
Did you like this article?
Check out CAUGHT OUTSIDE
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
One of the most successful—and controversial—team managers of all time, Larry Brooks is looking to return to the races. Page 146.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
Well, James reaction time was a lot quick this week than last, that is for sure! RV I would say had the worse reaction time I have seen from him in a while....Starts , Starts, Starts.....Bring on Indy...should be a good one....
In addition to #7's starts being vastly improved, so are the Pirelli kudos.
I guess the theory that he purposely gets bad starts so he doesn't have to run with villopoto may be out the window. Atleast I hope so.
Good starts = more riders at his pace or closer to his pace easier to pass.
I might have the hardest on JS7 last year because of the amount of times he took out someone on his quest for a win. this year he's a little has more fenese. Maybe this is his corner to turn. I think the corner turner is DM18 he's getting good starts and hanging in there.
Hat's off to JS it was a huge win (BUT) no one should read too much into this one based on the conditions. I was there an it truly was a race for survival, Actually it was kinda nice watching the best in the world ride like me with my feet off the pegs & paddeling trying to stay locked in a rut like they were walking a tight rope. But he did get the start and saw it through so nice job. RV gotta decent start but jacked himself up coming out of the 3rd corner. Hats off to him too for coming back they way he did, We're used to seeing both JS and RV push through pack but in that slop I don't think anybody could have mounted an actual "charge" Looking forward to a dry indy track to see if JS has truly gotten rid of the deamons and if RV is mad about getting a 5th. RV is a champion and I'm a fan but I gotta wonder how motivated he can stay with such a huge lead?
@ Vet243
I also have concerns about RV's motivation for the remaining rounds.....
Worst thing that could have happened for him was Dungey going down.....RV now has to think Championship more than pushing for wins. Whether by design or not he will be less aggressive to ensure another title for his team! Just hope he doesn't lose too much of his edge as the outdoors isn't far off now.
JS may just rattle off a big string of wins now! This doesn't mean he wouldn't have started winning eventually, I just think the wins will come easier for JS now that there is no pressure on him and even more pressure on RV not to screw this up...
Just my opinion. Guess we'll see how much push RV has on Saturday!
@ Vet243..........I don't think it will be a question of motivation as much as it will be how smart he is from here on out. Without any major mishaps he can cruise control to the title with 4th place finishes, will he go balls out for wins if JS can hang around him or will he do the smart thing, exercise caution and avoid getting sucked up in one of JS' implosions? I have a feeling (and hope) RV won't sit back and watch if the opportunity presents itself and the track is good, but if things are sketchy at any given race he'd be foolish to get caught up in a battle for an individual win he doesn't need.
Wow the moment isnt about the reinging champ, and the guy who leads the series by almost 50 points going down in the first turn,,twice.. Its about Stewart, imagine that.. Its about the media darling, and the media got a HUGE chubby when he finally got his 2nd win.. Whoopeee!! Too little too late..
@Retardcross--right you are. Individual wins means nothing compared to a title.. Its all about getting that title. Too bad some guys dont see that.. Or maybe its the onl;y arguement they have for thier guy..
He's a lot like RC in that he's not one to "accept" surving to get to the title so I think he'll go for it but only to a certain degree. Sometimes it's more dangerous to back down than it is to put the hammer down. Unfortunately RV seems to be at his best when there is a sense of urgency, there really isn't one any more It's really just the RV and JS pride show now.
@ therealmofo...........Yes, there were guys on here recently stating that individual wins are more important. Except when you throw that at them, they dodge answering or don't reply at all. Everyone with a clue knows what is more important so it's not worth worrying about. The comment that made me laugh the most was someone saying RV should be happy with his early Christmas present since everyone is getting hurt, even though he was in control of the series already anyways. He doesn't need gifts, he's got plenty on his resume to back himself up.
Just for the record I wasn't implying that JS7 was going to rattle off a bunch of wins. Just stating he's getting more consistant.
The moment should be Villopotos goon ride sesh in the 3rd turn..
My prediction, #7 or #18 running Poto into the stands.
Just when you think you have heard it all, Monkeys flying out of their butts? Never heard that one before, Chosen 1 that made my lunch! And Ripdown-if you stop back here , I've tried to reach you with no luck so if you catch this, send me your e-mail address again. Bucky
The moment for me was watching James and Davey go 1-2. Is this the turn around for them? I doubt it, unless some freaky accident happens to RV, the title will be his. Neverless a good ride for both of them.
Gonna be good if RV and JS get near each other. My money is on RV.
I really hope JS gives RV some competition and puts on good races for the rest of the season. My prediction is that RV is going to continue to ride at an extremely fast pace that is perfectly comfortable to him, and we're going to see JS continue to wreck trying to run that pace. This race means nothing. I hope we see more K-Dub podiums!
Bucky.
Not sure why it didn't work.....I appreciate the fact that you tried.
This one should most definitely work... [email protected]
I'm really bummed about so many of the top guys being out for the Toronto round including the Dunge who's my youngest daughters fav. Now all I can do is hope everyone is healthy for Spring Creek!
Is Milsaps ready to take a turn at the front? The field is considerably thinner now with #41, #22 & #5 sidelined. It's now or never for "the original #118".
If RV and Stewart get near each other?? At htis point I give it to Stewie.. Not that he is faster, he isnt, not at all.. But he has NOTHING to lose.. What does he have to lose if he goes at it so hard he spins out in a turn, or washes the front end diving into a turn to hard.. Or goes through the whoops to hard and goes down?? Not a title shot. But RV has alot to lose if he does the same and gets no points or gets hurt.. Such as the title. I think if RV gets a clear track he is hauling the mail. If he has just Stewart in front and Stewie is clicking off some fast laps, he cruises to 2nd.. Hate to say it, want to see some great racing, but RV wants to see that number one plate again next year..
@bd200,, I agree with you, but these guys still want to win, and they get paid for winning the race, and the title. But yes, RV should not risk it, depending on the situation. Some strange things have happened so far, and I'm sure strange things will continue to happen.
@HandlebarDragger, I also agree with you, but the fact is, he is the most recognised rider right now.. I know people that don't know how many wheels a motocross bike has, but they know who James Stewart is..
Has anyone thought of how long Stewart has been racing at this level compared to how long your little villi has? I think its fair to say that Stewart really has nothing else to prove in the sport of motocross. He's won everything there is to win during his career. I am a huge fan of motocross- have many riders that I enjoy watching- villi is not one of them. Dude had a great year last year- does not mean under any circumstance that he is destined to perform or finish with the title's or records that Carmichael, McGrath or Stewart have earned. Thing that sucks is- ever since Stewie got that p.o.s. yamaha- things have gone south. I agree with whomever stated in other posts that he should be on red or green if he wants to win- and I'm a suzuki fan! I do not recall anyone discounting or dogging on McGrath back in 97 when he was on that tank p.o.s. suzuki and had the worst year of his pro career? So bad, that even a spode like Emig could when the championship! Didn't hear people bagging on Carmichael when Stewart and Reed started getting up to speed. Lets see what villi looks like 3-4 years down the road- lets look at title's, wins and all. Bet he won't be close to what the others have done before him.
@mxmofo--Ask Ricky Johnson if he should risk it. What was the place, 6th or 7th place is all RJ needed for his title , and raced for the win instead and crashed and broke his arm.. And no title for him.. RJ even said himself he should have just did what he needed to win the title. I think everyone has learned from mistakes like this.. RC even said when Reed was winning like 6 straight in supercross.. "I put myself in the situation where I dont have to win every race at this point of the season for the title, so I dont have to hang it all out there like Chad is">>>> Smart move I think..And I think RV and his team are pretty smart..
@cgraham46-- It was Stewies decision to resign and race that "pos Yamaha" as you call it.. If Stewie thought the bike was so bad, he would NOT be on it.. There sure isnt anything wroing with that bike in the heat races.. Just the mains..
If you mean the year RJ lost the 250 outdoor title to Hansen, he broke his bike (front wheel?), not his arm.
"little Stew" was the competition that made the GOAT want to retire. I remember watching races where Stewart hunted RC down for 10 laps, passed him and won the race. RC was and probably still would be one of the fastest guys out there but how can you discredit any of Stewart's rides or titles because his competition was out? Not his fault. How about we discredit RC's undefeated seasons. Who was his competition in 2002? Lets not forget that Stewart started the 09 season off 25 points behind. Also, not to take anything away from RV's awesome rides last year but I cant help but think his titles were won through a lot of misfortune from his competitors.
Let me rephrase the last part. Not ALOT of misfortune, but it wasn't a dominating performance that the RV fans make it seem. Every dog has its day.
RC knew that the competition was getting tougher, and he said himself that he wanted to go out while he was still on top. Thats what he did, but Stewart coming up to the big bikes, mainly 06 is the guy that forced everyone to raise the bar that much more. I'm done, no need to go back in time and compare stats.
Call me a Stewtard, I have my tissues ready.
@cgrahm46 @chillmatic , Finally someone with some common sense , the rest of these posters on here , are fly by night fans with little knowledge , have their stats wrong , and most of them are argumentive in a Childish Way !
Scrub-this is probably the biggest douche-bag on this whole site!! How many times have you had RV's nuts in your mouth in your dreams dude?? Hate much?? Don't like yourself?? Girlfriend cheat on you?? Little man syndrome?? What is it man?? U need some help jack!! I also love how realmofo says it is all about the title and not wins (which is true) but he was probably one of the buttheads shooting off his mouth when Stewart took it easy in Vegas a few back to "win the title" but everybody said RV whooped his ass.......hypocritical much????
@thenewguy ... true dat
You guys actually believe that RC retired just because of Stewie?? HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! Thats a good one. Yes Stewie could run with him, no doubt. But RC retired because he had NOTHING left to rpove.. The guy won 15 titles in only 10 seasons. And came back for a few Nationals on a farewell tour not even close to riding shape, and STILL won every overall.. Racing part time and not even training.. Including a 30 second whipping of Stewie at Southwick.. RC didnt run from anyone, and beat every challenge period, including Stewie.. Stewie took a few races sure, but NEVER took the titles..You Stewtards cant claim that, and it kills you..And its sad you are so infatuated with one rider your try and discredit the GOAT..its really sad, and kinda creepy..
@newguy--you are as bad as anyone on here with your Stewie man-love.. RV won the tile last year, where did your boy finish?? Oh yea, 4th place.. Right where he was this season until a few lucky injuries.. He was gifted second place,
@bd200
Maybe you hit your head a little to hard when you crashed your mini truck. I never discredited any of RC's records or titles in my posts. I also never stated that Stewart beat RC for any titles. I don't discredit any rider, everyone deserves equal respect in what they do, whether they have 15 titles or 1. When I said james was the one that made RC retire, I didn't mean it as it sounded. I was implying that RC knew the riders were stepping it up, and even though he had the wins in him, it wasn't going to be as easy to go out and dominate as he had in the past.
As to what you thought was "discrediting,"I was stating that if people are going to cry and complain that the only reason Stewart went 24-0 in 08 was because his closest competitor was Tim Ferry, look back on RC's competition. How about Reed in 2009. Granted, Reed did struggle but were there any previous 450 champs racing that season? Mike Alessi was in there, and the two time east/west shootout winner Andrew Short. Good riders, but not stiff competition. You seem to be knowledgable about the sport, so why havent these comparisons been brought up? Seems to me that you simply hate james Stewart. I guess I can call you a "hater." That doesn't affect me, and I'm sure he doesn't lose any sleep over it. Just dont try to twist what I write to make it what you wish to believe.
As for my "How about we discredit RC's undefeated season." The competition statement pertains to that. I was not "discrediting" it in any way.
cgraham46 ....You enjoy motocross but you don't like watching Ryan Villapoto.......yeah hes not really that good and kinda slow..just cruises around......oh wait he just won EVERYTHING last year has a 44 pt lead wears #1 and can flat HAUL. "a spode like Emig"...wtf ..you've never actually seen him ride I guess ,what an idiotic thing to say. ....another new rookie hater. Check the books on Mc 's Suzuki I seem to remember him winning some races on it. Just because you don't like RV lets hold judgement on the final record book since you can see the future any better than those of us that enjoy watching the fastest guys out there ride really REALLY well.
Stewart will win a bunch more races for sure. With the field depleted, it's easier to start up front, move through the pack, and get good practice and gate positions. It makes every aspect of the day easier for him. Seattle=Stewart win. Stamp it.
"JS was gifted second place", .... BD200... your dislike of JS is showing again....It's not his fault Reed and RD could not finish the season..... No Gift's in SX/MX right??
@BillC, you are right, there are no girts in any pro sports, much less supercross.. I was just getting in a shot on those guys who said RC retired because Stewie was too fast or some crap like that.
@Chilli---I never said you discredited any of RC's titles. I say you said that RC retired because Stewie was stepping it up is BS, complete and total BS. He beat every challenge by Stewie. RC took on every challenge and won period. He did not retire because of him, he beat him period. How many titles does RC have to beat Stewie for to prove it??
@BILLC, I do not have a dislike for Stewie. I have a dislike for Stewtards who now even try to give credit to Stewie for where the sun rises and sets. For the Earth being round, and for spring flowers.. They want to give him credit for everything.. Saying RC retired because of Stewie is about the most rediculous thing ever.. RC had nothing left to prove, period. He is the GOAT, nothing a few Stewtards can do about it..
The only way to talk about a riders stats , and compare ... Is when They REtire ! wait until Stewie retires , then talk about what he has acomplished
@bd200 You nailed it. Villopoto is running out of things to prove as well. He'll retire early like RC. Mark my words.
for once i agree with mofo
One thing that RC did say after his last full season was JS is doing things I don't want to do. RC last full SX season was very hard, He only won it by 2 points and he crashed more that year than any other I think. Either he or JS could have won that year and I would take nothing away from RC at all even if JS did win it that year. At that time it sure looked like JS was going to take over much like when RC did it to MC... JS has never been as good as he was that year maybe but at that time I can't blaim RC for calling it good.
PS. Right this date down... BD200 said I was RIGHT!!! LOL ;-)
In other news, good to hear from James himself that they are doing the outdoors. He said the only way that he can see them not doing it, is from an injury. Fan or not, cross your fingers that he makes it to Hangtown.
BD200
You are right in the sense that RC had nothing left to prove. Bring on the bench racing ammo!!
you can not compare js to rc period. watch the red bub nationals from 2007 on youtube and tell me that james is better then ricky. ricky was pulling him in. rc was far better ( in stats and outdoors) then james. supercross james was better then ricky but james always crashed just like he does now. RV by the time his career is over will be up there in the wins and titles catgory.@cgraham. you said james has already won everything there is to win and didnt have anything to prove well you think about it so has RV so james aint that special. RV has won outdoors lites supercross lites 450sx champ 450mx champ motocross des nations champ and flat out would whoop james if was was on a suzuki honda or kawasaki so dont get on here and leave a stupid comment saying he wont be up there by rc js or mc.
@Chill-- Yes I also hope Stewie runs outdoors, the more the merrier.. I have never discounted Stewies speed, I even said at the beginning of last week Stewie would win Daytona.. I hope he runs all year and is back up too speed.. We need him for the Des Nations, its a straight up sand race, and Stewie kills the sand., he and RV1 will be unstoppable in Belgium..
I just hope it wont take half the series for the guys to figure the bike out for the outdoors. I know RV's going to pick up right where he left off.
Would JS go to the mxd over RD??? time will tell I guess but I would think they will pick the top 2 in points + the top lites guy so one of these guy will be at home, RV,RD or JS
I think it matters how they run all summer.. I know a few years back Stewie declined the invite, in his "I'm a rock star" days.. I think he is over that now.. If Stewie is leading the Nationals or is running better than one of the guys who went last year, then he should get the invite.. It should be who is ever 1-2 in the season to me..
I wonder if Decoster would give RD an unfair advantage since he's on his team. Probably not but it's gotta be harder for him to say no rather than putting him on the team.
It would be cool to see Stewart and RV represent. That is if Stewart proves himself this season.
I had a moment right after clicking on the fan of the week link......
@RHRHMOP--At leaast she is a "fan" and not an employee just working the races.. I like a model as much of the next guy, but those models arent fans. They just work there..
Watch out Villo! Stewie is beginning to hit his stride ....
Chilllmatic he did last year, Gave RD the #1 plate even though RV won the SX title and was leading the outdoors.
@Osteo--What does RV have to worry about--he has a 44 point lead already.. He doesnt have to worry about anyone now, no Reed or Dungey.. They were the ones close to him..
Poto has what about a full race lead in points over the racer in second who goes by the name Ryan Dungey. He didn't even line up to race Daytona. I haven't looked @ the points because Poto has a hugepoints advantage without RD racing. Stewi,s irrelevant. . Why he gets so much media coverage when same as last year in sx he wasn't a factor tho he got tons of coverage. Even the two mx motos he raced & goy smoked out like a b racer ny Rd.
Mx not this recent season last years when stewi got aniliated by Rd he hard to believe crashed n took third. Then quit the 2nd moto. Has ANY racer crashed more times than stewi ? If Poto & stewi traded points it would still be about
Stewi. Why? His brother, I must have missed all his podiums
because I've never seen him podium gets constant
coverage. Why? To see what lap he crashes
that a way to light up the message boards stew, If lepi sits back and doesnt mix it up thats whar seperates the one that getting 2nd is not and option, stewart has had numerous huge points lead during his career and has always went for it, stewart wants 72+ wins he wants to beat mcgraths record the winningest supercross rider in the world and with that more titles will come, i hope he gets the wins he needs because if so thats one record that wont be broke for a long, long, long time hell hes already the winningest rider, if he does its going to piss a lot of people off, and im glad i wont be one them, im glad im a fan, like i said before james get in reds head and he will crack, rv also has to think about mike allessi because mikes made real clear he would rather see stewart win than ryan, let go stewart time to go, and what kind of lame ass shit stewart gets bad starts because he doesnt want to mix it up with lepi hes mixed it up with the G.O.A T. doensnt get ant better than that.