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I might be the only one that was actually impressed with Stewart's ride Saturday. He accepted the fact that he was the 4th best guy that night and was ready to take 4th place and move on to Phoenix. Then, the two riders in front of him fell and he saw an opportunity to basically steal 4 points so he went for it. He crashed in the process, losing 3 points. However, a Stewart that accepts the fact that he's 4th or 5th best on a night is more dangerous than a Stewart who gets 1st one week and 10th the next.
IMO, James's focus is on getting paid first and riding second. I don't think he deserves another dollar until he produces. I've liked the kid since he turned pro, but all the little things just kill me... Drop the mic, bubbas world, impersonating a cop, L&M/LB sucks, etc, etc..
He absolutely has the talent to win on any given Saturday, but the days of him crushing everyone effortlessly are over.
IMO if he doesn't do well, this will be his next to last season..
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Which, I would cut Stewart some slack (some) if he hadn't been doing things like that. Can't have it both ways, either you are so happy with your setup and preparation that you KNOW you are going to smoke all, or you've been off from racing for 8 months and are worried about things. Could have come in quiet and gone about business without the bragging nonsense that didn't come close to panning out.
This is years of James doing ill-advised things to turn people off. He is still doing them Friday before the race with his "Drop the Mic" b.s. People can't stand when anyone writes checks with their mouth that they can't cash. Ask Rex Ryan.
TM
I was watching RC Emig etc on the post show and RC made a comment that I think makes a lot of sense- James has the speed and the experience-now settling for fourth was probably a smart decision but when an opportunity for second comes like that you have to as the veteran be able to capitalize on those if you want to be the champ and he couldn't-
I didn't expect him to win once RV hollied and checked out but a rider of his talent, caliber, experience and speed should be able to capitalize on CR and RD's mistake (regardless of a few months off)- as RC said
Pit Row
Ivan has great speed at the start of a race. Remember the "chump" comment a few years back when he was holding Reed back while RC and JS were running away? When you have somebody who is fast enough and determined to keep you behind, not much good comes through trying to force the issue. I can understand JS being cautious around him since they have a history.
I think James did just fine, except for jumping on the hay bale part. Looks to me he could have gone by Ryan and Chad. He had the speed in a couple of sections to do so.
wonder if they regret that decision.... i'm guessing not.
sometimes the fastest riders of yesteryear are no longer the top dogs. it's called progression. it happened to Johnson, Stanton, MC, RC. why it's such a big fucking deal that Stewart is getting surpassed is beyond me.
Stewart is still one of the fastest guys on the track. but NEWS FLASH, the other guys have caught up.
James looks the same as he did in last years' opener; riding tight and putting in inconsistent laps.
SX-only does not keep him game enough to beat RV over a championship season, period.
RV got a good start.
The track was not conducive to passing, was very technical, and did not favor all-out speed. Not a good situation when you have to make up time and positions.
Ryan rode a flawless race and looked great, but...
It is one race, and way too early to write James off.
I think it's a big deal for some because it's what they are used to, and learned to like or liked from the beginning. The doubt that now follows is not much liked by the brain who wants order. Fact in psychology and it's related to survival...
Carry on...
Yep. I wonder if it is a frame stiffness issue like RV had with the 2011 KX450 that suspension cannot fix. Not an excuse, for RV when he did not see to be riding to his potential or James now, just a possibility.
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