James Stewart Jr.
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Stewart Jr. | |
| Nickname | Bubba | |
| Date of birth | December 21, 1985 | |
| Country | USA | |
| Team information | ||
| Current team | Factory Kawasaki | |
| Professional team(s) | ||
| 2002-present | Kawasaki | |
| Major wins | ||
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James Stewart (formerly known as James "Bubba" Stewart) (born December 21, 1985) is a professional motocross racer sometimes referred to as the Tiger Woods of supercross. He is known for his tenacity, speed and being the first African American to dominate the sport of motocross. He dropped the nickname "Bubba" when he changed his number from 259 to 7. He felt that he was growing up. "Bubba" was his childhood nickname and he decided it was time for a change.
James Stewart was born in Bartow, Florida. His father, James Sr., was a motocross racer and took his son on rides and to watch him race starting at a very young age. Stewart entered his first race when he was four and garnered his first sponsor at the age of seven.
As a child, James traveled around the country with his family so he could compete in motocross races. The Stewarts lived in a motorhome and Bubba and his younger brother, Malcolm, were home-schooled. As a rookie racer he won nine national titles and became known for his blazing speed and big air; a combination that had never been seen from a rider of his age. James turned pro in 2002, competing in the 125cc class and was named the 2002 Rookie of the Year. He is the first African-American to dominate the sport of motocross and led Teen People to name him one of "20 Teens Who Will Change the World" in its April 2003 issue.
On April 2, 2005, in his third race after moving up to the bigger, faster 250cc class, James became the first African-American to win a 250 cc THQ World Supercross Series race at Texas Stadium, beating such heavyweights as Ricky Carmichael, Chad Reed, and Kevin Windham. James would go on to win 2 more times during his first Supercross (indoor) season, before directing his attention to the 2005 AMA National Motocross Championship (outdoor) season. And just like Carmichael, Stewart would like to attempt driving for NASCAR in the future.[citation needed]
Stewart's sponsors include Kawasaki, Fox, Monster Energy and Oakley, and he also has a role in an MX2002 and MX vs. ATV Unleashed video games for the PlayStation 1, Playstation 2, and Xbox.
[edit] Stats
- Team: Monster Energy/Kawasaki Racing
- Motorcycle: Kawasaki KX 450F SR
- Racing number: 7
- Born: December 21, 1985
- Resides: Haines City, Fla. Birthplace: Winter Haven,Fla.
- Height: 5 ft 7 in
- Weight: 155 lb.
- Marital status: Single
- Parents/siblings: Sonya & James, Sr. (parents); Malcolm (brother)
- Nickname: Bubba
[edit] Accomplishments
- 2001 - Finished amateur career holding the record for most national wins - 11.
- 2002 - Youngest 125 cc AMA National Champion in MX history.
- 2002 - Most wins (10 of 12) in 125 cc AMA MX history.
- 2002 - First African-American AMA Champion.
- 2002 - AMA Supercross Rookie of the Year.
- 2003 - Won West Championship winning all but one race.
- 2003 - Won all three AMA titles (East and West Supercross; National Championship).
- 2004 - Record 11 (out of 12) motocross wins during a season.
- 2005 - Moved up to the 250 Premier class.
- 2006 - FIM WSXGP Supercross Champion (Kawasaki)
- 2006 - US OPEN Supercross Winner
- 2007 - Currently leading the AMA Supercross Championship
Notables:
- Eleven time Loretta Lynn's champion.
- Holds the record for combined Supercross and Motocross wins on a 125 cc - 47
- 4 AMA 125 cc titles.
- First African American to win a major motorsport event.
