![]() But Stew and I certainly had a decent texting relationship and I like to think I got a small look at the things he was thinking about. ![]() And also, truthfully, James made it tough on himself when it came to the media because he didn't do a lot of it and he ditched out on more than a few obligations over the years. They did a better job at the PR game than James’ people did, so there was, in my opinion, a pro RC slant from the press when it came to these two legends racing each other. Not slamming Carmichael here, but RC's people around him really catered to the media covering the sport back then. I've always felt like I had a bit more of a relationship with James than other media guys, just because when he was teammates with Tim Ferry I was around the Kawasaki truck so much and I think he appreciated that I called it like I saw it. And yeah, I was wrong on that but James Stewart did hang it up with the second most wins in supercross and motocross behind that RC guy so not so shabby, right? This didn't make Ricky Carmichael and/or his people very happy but I really thought that back then. Steve Matthes: I once wrote a blog in the early days of PulpMX that I thought James Stewart was going to shatter every record in our sport. There will likely never be another like him. When I ask myself which rider made me shake my head in amazement more than any other, Stew wins that debate every time. His raw talent, speed, and legacy put him above the likes of Rick Johnson, Ryan Dungey, Ryan Villopoto, or Eli Tomac, though. I can't put him above Jeremy McGrath and his 72 premier class AMA Supercross wins nor Carmichael's 15 titles and more importantly, the fact that RC beat Stew in their heads up battles. I think he lands at #3 for me on the all-time list. Unfortunately, crashes and a gentleman named Ricky Carmichael may have derailed that inevitability. I truly feel he had the talent to be the best the sport has ever seen. That's where I'm torn on where to place him in the upper echelons of all-timers. ![]() So many wins but also, so many "what-if's", too. ![]() The 2012 outdoor series was another missed opportunity as he suffered a heavy crash at Thunder Valley. The 20 were mixed bags with success but also a plethora of inconsistency frustration. Similarly, the 2008 Monster Energy AMA Supercross title felt like it was his to lose when he exited for knee surgery. In 2007's outdoor championship, he led most of the way before a crash at Washougal forced him to retire from the series. He had the sport in the palm of his hand for several years.Įven with all of the success, I can't help but feel like he left wins and titles on the table. He was always conscious of the fans when he won races, doing sprinkler dances, or "the worm." The fans responded, too, making him one of the most popular riders in the sport's history. He was a true innovator on the motorcycle and an entertainer while he did it. I can specifically remember sitting on the couch with Chad Reed in the 2006-2009 era, watching James do ridiculous things on the race replay and then doing drills to try to emulate. He invented technique, most notably the "Bubba Scrub", and forced everyone to rethink their approach to racing. That designation alone warrants a Hall of Fame entry in my mind, but he also has the wins and titles to go along with that Fastest Man on the Planet aura. Jason Thomas: James Stewart was the fastest motorcycle racer I have ever seen. With that much time rapidly gapping into the rear-view mirror, our staff is taking a look back at their memories of James Stewart’s racing days. Related: 2022 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Honors Six Inductees At the end of 2021, the five-year mark since his last race in 2016, he became eligible for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and he got the vote in his first year of eligibility. James Stewart’s racing career is now six seasons behind him.
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