Stewart Sets the Hot Lap

Jean Turner | June 1, 2008

James Stewart blazed to the top of qualifying today at Hangtown, round two of the Toyota AMA Motocross Championship in Prairie City, California. The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider set a hot lap of 1:54.972, which is nearly four seconds faster than his closest rival, Red Bull Honda rider Davi Millsaps who stopped the clock at 1.58.322.

Mike Alessi, Timmy Ferry, Steve Bonniface and Ivan Tedesco got in the 1:59 range while everyone else was over the two minute mark.

Ryan Villopoto is on the pole in the Lites division with a 1:58.938 – the only Lites rider to break the two minute mark in practice. Jason Lawrence was a close second at 2:00.321 followed by Brett Metcalfe, Tyan Dungey and Trey Canard.

Marking the 40th Anniversary of the Hangtown Classic, the Dirt Diggers North MC are running the traditional track backwards, making for a challenging, power-robbing course.

The first moto kicks off shortly; check back on Cyclenews.com for results.

Jean Turner | Contributor

A former staffer at Cycle News, Turner continues to contribute to the website and magazine as a columnist and someone we can count on to whip up a few thousand words on an off-road race when needed.