Murrieta, CA (August 15, 2010) - After a long hiatus from racing due to an injury early in the 2010
Supercross season, Team San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart made his return to
racing at the infamously gruelling Unadilla race track. Having had only a few short weeks to
prepare for the longer moto format of the Outdoor National Series, the Team goal
was to race, qualify and “have some fun” in Stewart’s own words.
James Stewart’s day started strong. Posting the fastest lap times in both
practices with an amazing 2:05.839, proving he has the speed he’s known for,
Stewart began Moto 1 with a solid start.
In 4th position on Lap 1, he quickly but strategically worked
his way into 3rd by Lap 2.
Continuing to advance, Stewart moved into 2nd place by Lap 6,
holding that position for several laps.
Towards the end of Moto 1, Stewart dropped back one position, but with a
solid hold, finished the race in 3rd, making the podium in his first
return to the track in several months.
On the podium, when asked if he had anyone to thank, he credited the
support of his fans on the track for helping him push through the challenging
race, along with that of his family, team and sponsors.
In Moto 2, Stewart didn’t fare as well. A rough start landed him in the
15th position in the first lap and despite working his way into
11th place by Lap 4, Stewart was forced to pull off the track. Simply put “We’re not 100% yet,
but I’m confident in myself and my team that things will only improve from here”
said Stewart. From Team Manager
Larry Brooks “This was a learning experience for our Team. Though many of us have years of
Motocross racing experience, as a team, we have not raced Motocross in a long
time. We had some challenges but we
learned a lot today and will do what it takes to improve before
Southwick.”
About Team San Manuel
Team San Manuel is a unique partnership between the San Manuel Band of
Mission Indians and L&M Racing, LLC, with the sole purpose of reaching out
to Native and non-Native communities and sharing with them the value of
perseverance and dedication.
Building a winning team comprised of top-notch talent and community
service, Team San Manuel honors the Serrano belief of caring for our community.
(www.sanmanuelracing.com)
About
the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized
American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, California. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous
people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share
a common language and culture. The
San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign
nation with the right of self-government.
Despite challenges and hardships, the San Manuel tribal community has
continued to progressively maintain and enhance its unique form of government –
focusing all efforts on providing a better quality of life for its
citizens. Through economic
diversification, both on and off the reservation, the tribe has been forward
thinking in its efforts to build infrastructure, maintain civil services and
promote social, economic, educational and governmental units including the
departments of fire, public safety, education and environment and continues to
pursue opportunities for future generations.
About L
& M Racing
L&M Racing was formed in 2006 by Owner/Team Manager Larry Brooks and
partner Mike Kranyak. Operating as
Team San Manuel Yamaha, the team has garnered 2 Supercross Championship titles
in just three professional race seasons. For the 2010 race season, 2009
Supercross Champion James Stewart anchors Team San Manuel as he vehemently
defends his title and is joined by 2008 Supercross Rookie of the Year Josh Hill. In 2009, Team San Manuel’s James Stewart
won his second Supercross Championship, his first coming in 2007, and second for
L&M Racing’s independent effort.
Rookie Kyle Chisholm rounded out Team San Manuel’s 2009 team. In 2008 team, Team San Manuel Yamaha
consisted of 2004 Supercross Champion Chad Reed and former West Coast Lites
Champion Nathan Ramsey -- the newly-formed endeavor garnered its first
championship title that season. Led
by Larry Brooks, the driving force behind the Jeremy McGrath / Chaparral Racing
team's three-year championship reign in Supercross, Brooks' then race effort
yielded the first and only indie team to ever win an AMA Supercross Series
Championship. L&M Racing is
headquartered within an 8,000 square foot, state-of-the-art race facility in
Southern California and is one of the most successful independently owned and
operated teams in professional Supercross racing today.