James 'Bubba' Stewart eager to get back on top this weekend at RedBud

BUCHANAN –Defining motocross superstar James ‘Bubba’ Stewart is about as easy as catching up with him on the track.

James 'Bubba' Stewart is headed to Buchanan for Saturday's Red Bull RedBud National.

Stewart has been called everything from the Tiger Woods of motocross to the fastest man on the planet. Some describe him as polarizing. Others say he is one of the best ever on two wheels, while critics suggest that he has been too inconsistent for that.

Most would agree, though, that Stewart continues to be one of the most exciting competitors in all of motorsports.

James Stewart is considered one of the most exciting competitors in all of motorsports.

West Michigan motocross fans will have an opportunity to get a close-up look at Stewart in action this weekend. Stewart, 27, will be returning to Michigan with the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The annual Red Bull RedBud National is Saturday in Buchanan.

Stewart, a two-time AMA Supercross champion, is hurting. He crashed hard in last weekend's national at Southwick, Mass., and injured his right shoulder. However, Stewart said he will be ready to go when the gate falls at RedBud. NBC will provide live coverage of the circuit's seventh round beginning at 3 p.m.

“I’m pretty beat up, but I will be fine by the weekend,” said Stewart, during a telephone interview from his home in Haines City, Fla., on Tuesday. “I’m a little sore, but RedBud is a good track and the fans are always good. I am looking forward to it. I get a couple of more days before we get up there. I’m OK.”

Injuries have plagued Stewart in 2013. Stewart, who left Joe Gibbs Racing in May of 2012 to race for Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing, won at Atlanta, however, he missed the final three rounds of the Supercross season after injuring his wrist in Minnesota.
Stewart continues to search for his first win in the outdoor season, but he is confident that he is headed in the right direction. He was leading last weekend's first 450 class moto when he crashed out. Stewart bounced back later last Saturday and placed fourth in the second.

“The first moto last weekend, we definitely had that one in the bag,” Stewart said. “We had a good chance of winning that one, but we let that one go. The second moto, to still run fourth and being beat up like that, I was pretty happy. I’m definitely more confident going in after the last couple of weekends. I’m looking forward to not only getting back on the podium but competing for these things.

“I have had the taste of running up front with the chance to win, and it made me realize how much I have missed it. I have to step it back it up.”

Stewart is considered a pioneer in the sport because he is the first black rider to dominate motocross at the top level. He has nearly 1.2 million Facebook likes, and he is closing in on 200,000 Twitter followers, so it’s clear that he is an athlete with worldwide appeal. He said the best part about being a celebrity is the positive impact that he can have on others.

That’s what he will be trying to do at RedBud. Oakley, one of Stewart’s sponsors, introduced Stewart to the Infinite Hero Foundation, which supports veterans and military families dealing with mental and physical injuries. Stewart plans to meet with 10 guests at RedBud, just like he did at Southwick. His specially designed Infinite Hero Foundation gear also will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefitting programs supported by the foundation.

“A lot of people look up to LeBron James and Michael Jordan, and I do too,” Stewart said. “Those are the people you look up to if you are into sports. Sometimes I forget myself, but this wouldn’t be possible without the veterans who fought for our freedoms and laid their lives down for us. People kind of forget about that a little bit.

“It’s not your everyday charity that you can be a part of. I wouldn’t be able to do all of this if it wasn’t for them, so why not show my support to them? They are our heroes because it wouldn’t be possible without them.”

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