2003 Unadilla 125cc Moto 1 (James Stewart's Most Difficult Moto Win)

This is the first 125cc moto from the 2003 Unadilla National in New Berlin, NY.
In 2003, Team Kawasaki's James Stewart, Jr. was already in his groove upon his late return to the 125cc Motocross season. The defending champion from 2002 had missed the first 4 races of the season due to a horrifying crash at the Las Vegas 125cc East/West Shootout. Stewart sustained a broken collar bone and concussion in the crash.
Taking advantage of Stewart's absence was Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Mike Brown, the 2001 champion. Brown was the winningest rider with 2 overall wins (Glen Helen and High Point) and had 2 moto wins to his credit. KTM's Ryan Hughes #105 swept Hangtown and was the winningest moto winner with 3 moto wins, but James Stewart passed him with 2 sweeps at Budds Creek and the last race at Red Bud to total 4 moto wins in 4 starts, putting him 12th in the standings. Initially, the Kenworthy's race at Troy, OH was to precede the Red Bud race, but severe floods forced the AMA to reschedule the race as the final event of 2003; sadly, another round of floods at its new set date forced the AMA to cancel the Kenworthy's event. KTM's Grant Langston #111, Yamaha of Troy's Craig Anderson #109, and AMSOIL Honda's Michael Byrne #32 were the only other moto winners in 2003 before James' return; of these 3, Craig Anderson was the only one who won an overall (Southwick). It was only the 2nd time an Aussie citizen won an AMA Motocross (Chad Reed won High Point in 2002).
Coming into Unadilla, Mike Brown had the points lead by 9 over Langston, despite some lackluster results and crashes in the past 2 races. After starting out the series with 2 wins in the first 3 races, Brown faltered to a 22-3 for 9th overall at Southwick. Ryan Hughes had the points lead after finishing the first moto at Southwick in 10th, but reports were that he broke his fibula in the first moto despite the 10th place finish. Hughes gutted out a 16th in the 2nd moto, but was forced to surrender the points lead right back to Brown. Ryan Hughes tried to ride practice at Budds Creek, but despite an incident with Mike Brown, the pain was too much and he elected to sit out the event altogether.
In this moto, James Stewart got out to another early lead. Just when 5 moto wins in a row looked like it was etched in stone, James crashed just when ESPN2 cut back to him. James took a long time to get going and the pack eventually caught up. Stewart had also bent his front brake lever back... virtually leaving him without a front brake. Langston caught up and actually passed the invincible 17-year-old 125cc master. However, James weathered the storm and managed to hold on for his 5th consecutive moto win upon his return. In moto 2, James silenced everyone with another dominating win; the win was James' 6th in 6 motos, and 3 overall wins in 3 races. Unfortunately, Stewart's 4-race-absence proved to be too much for him to win back-to-back 125cc Motocross titles. He ended up 3rd in the final points tally while the title went to Grant Langston by 7 points over Ryan Hughes.
Enjoy.

[@Fitopito66]

I remember being ready with my vhs and a clean tape to record this and play it and study it as much as I could when I was a kid. James stewart is the pinnacle of dirtbikes.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Those were the days with VHS tapes. My dad and I have dozens of them with races in this time period. No disagreements on James Stewart, but at this time, watching him dominate by 30 seconds to 1 minute over 39 others was too boring to watch.

[@Fitopito66]

It was getting kinda boring I agree cause his level was just on another level. Non the less stewart broke the boundaries every race and always set the bar higher than ever. He changed the game. We were spoiled, your not going to see another dude race like bubba did ever.

[@Fitopito66]

thats why I was always ready with a clean vhs to record it . I also got my closet full of them vhs tapes of bubba just blasting the 125 and 250.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

No disagreements on everything. We are DEFINITELY not going to see domination like this again from a rider like James Stewart. Ryan Villopoto did so for 3 seasons (more like 2 1/2) from '06-'08, but what really stood out was that James rode that 125 like it was a stinkin' 250, and nobody was man enough to take him on.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Unfortunately, my Dad and I had to set timers to see the races and we hardly watched them when they came on ESPN2 because we normally went riding ourselves at the times they came online. It wasn't until 2005 when I was able to watch them directly when the races moved to OLN (now NBCSN). James dominating on the 125 was something to watch, but 2005 (James on the 250) was a recipe for disaster -- not to mention accidents waiting to happen at times (i.e. Binghamton and Unadilla). Kawasaki really screwed the pooch in '05 by not having a 450 available.

[@garyeast7259]

He seems to get so much better drive out of corners. Epic talent. It doesnt matter what it is, i love watch people do things they are truly talented at doing

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

That's what the vets like Sellards, Pingree, and Preston were saying a year prior in '02.

[@shawnoconnor9692]

Miss those days. Brings back good memories

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

You and me both. I miss these good racing days just as much as the next person, and pointing out of the 125 class in SX was simple and easy to understand.

[@kevinlong4084]

125 class just ain't what it use to be,the clutch work to keep that engine singing. These dam 4 bangers got me sounding like an old man.I started out on a XR75 I took a oath to never ride another 4 stroke dirt bike again.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Unfortunately no, and as much as I miss those 125 2-strokes, I think it's unlikely we'll see them again in a pro Motocross race. I admit that having a 125 vintage series was a great idea. It is nice to bring those 2-stroke sounds back -- regardless if it's a 250 or a 125.

[@grahamcox8385]

I don't want to ride a 4 stroke as it is no fun listening to a bike that sounds like it wants to do a sloppy diarrhoea turd, plus the cost of fixing the 4 stroke shitboxes is astronomical and ya don't get your bike back for months, can do a top end rebuild in under 2 hours with a 2 smoke

[@damonbeddingfield2958]

I miss the sound of 2 strokes so much. Bubba came on the scene as I was getting out of motocross to venture into the world as an adult. If there is one place I always feel comfortable on this planet its at a motocross race smelling race fuel and getting woke up in the mornings by the sounds of engines revving. Watching Dad clean the clay out from between my pegs and wiping the seat for better grip. I really love this sport its such a good one and has its own nich in the world.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

I miss a 2-stroke just as much as anybody else, and the E-bikes could be the hottest new trend in Supercross and Motocross if it goes well. Davey Coombs was saying they didn't want to make the same mistake they did with the 4-strokes.

[@Alicethewolf2015]

The good old days of motocross

[@jinoziniosti5633]

Real Motocross.

[@rapid13]

lololololololol

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

No argument there.

[@vinceedwards3978]

Its funny, because James is pretty entertaining as a moto broadcaster!!

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Yes indeed. He's certainly worth listening to when Ricky barely gives his opinion on this and that.

[@vinceedwards3978]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames I hear what you are saying, but do you think that since he is a brand ambassador to a whole new project may temper Ricky a bit? Then again, I felt a way after they replaced Emig with Ricky!

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

That could be a possibility. I also felt a similar way you may have felt when Emig got replaced. I really liked Emig myself from a psychological standpoint; rumor had it (at least what Cooksey said) that Emig might have gotten clipped because of something involving former Miss Supercross Julianna Daniel.

[@Belial-ey6ow]

2 strokes forever 💪💪💪

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

You bet. I wish they stuck around a lot longer, but I wouldn't have guessed the 250s would RIP so quickly (2006).

[@flyfishincrazy]

Man I miss James! Still need his autograph on my James Stewart edition Bell helmet!

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Personally, I don't miss James myself -- especially when he made the 125cc class a real snoozefest at this time.

[@messiona]

MathewV21688 That’s like saying you don’t miss Michael Jordan

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@messiona Oh I disagree. If you're talking about Jeremy McGrath, THAT would be like "missing Michael Jordan." When James got out front, you may as well just sign the papers and declare him the winner already. I would've liked to see someone challenge him more often in the 125cc class, but nobody could do it. I don't like seeing runaways week after week after week, but to see James ride that KX125 like a dam 250 was really something!!

[@flyfishincrazy]

808sandblvke Who’s Michael Jordan?

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@flyfishincrazy Really???

[@midnite_in_november]

I remember having a young 125 riding bubba on my wall, made me happy to own a kawasaki 65

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

I had a KX60 well before JS was a pro. Stew was something else on that 125 when he got the 125cc class figured out.

[@bradthackston2323]

I grew up in middle Georgia and I remember watching him on the little bikes

[@mikejpitts4654]

Stewart changed the way a motorcycle is ridden more then anyone. They all ride like James now. But he got screwed so many times. Sure he dumped it a few times. But He got banned for a year for BS, he had to deal with racist idiots, he had to deal with the 4 stroke change over, when he by far was the best 2 stroke rider ever. And he had to get accustom to it to late and race all the 450s with a 250 his first year in the main class. So he had to be a quick learner while everyone else was getting used to it for years. He would of broke every record if 2 strokes stayed alive, and every league or whatever didnt try to slow him down. If MX falls apart, they did it to themselves. Thats why we all watch these old videos instead.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

I won't disagree with what you said about James Stewart at all, but his decision-making in recent years wasn't the best and that's done him in. His worst decision was going to San Manuel Yamaha and SX-only at the prime of his career. Now, he's not even out there and he can't even find a deal for himself.

[@jraybay]

MathewV21688 I always wished there was a way James could stay on with Kawasaki. He looked very comfortable on a kawi, not so much Yamaha.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Well, his sponsorship is what made him leave Kawasaki in the first place. He was good on the '09 Yamaha, but after '10, his talent fizzled out, and we saw the REAL James Stewart IMO. Unfortunately, signing with a SX-only team in San Manuel Yamaha was a trap in itself, and THE biggest mistake he could make.

[@toddjacobs3988]

Mike J Pitts people get jealous cause they were gettin their asses handed to um

[@johnnybgood774]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames bullshit the sport fucked him over he was the best and they did everything to shut him down

[@b_law949]

Crazy to think this was almost 20 years ago…

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Now that you mention it, it IS pretty nuts. When the good era was around and Supercross was more affordable with 2-strokes out there.

[@derekdreke4990]

I love racing and riding that 125 its just so much dam fun

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Riding a 125 is certainly fun. I rode a 125 myself from '03-'06.

[@kxracer27]

The good ol days back when 4 strokes started their takeover. :/ They're faster per class without a doubt, but god damn do I miss hearing the gate drop with nothing but 2 smokes. Even the smell of burning pre mix. :( The sound is no longer music to my ears like it used to be. F. U. THUMPER TECHNOLOGY. F. U.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Not going to disagree with anything you said. I liked the 4-strokes at first because they were more comparable to 125cc 2-strokes; today's 4-strokes are off the charts fast.

[@kxracer27]

MathewV21688 I just remember the sound and look being so odd ball to me (the YZ426F to be exact, I think Tim Ferry was on it) and I've just never developed a liking to them even since then. They sound like ass. Lol, rode an 07 YZ450F, hated it. I still only enjoy 2 strokes to this day. In a way 4 strokes ruined MX/SX for me. And all this was back when I raced a KX 100 lol, roughly same time frame as this race

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Same here, and you're right -- Tim Ferry was on that YZ426F, but Doug Henry opened the floodgate for the 4-strokes riding that YZ400 to its first ever Supercross win at the 1997 Vegas finale. Me personally, I like both the 2-strokes and 4-strokes; I grew up with the 250cc 2-strokes and 125cc 2-strokes, while the 250F made its debut when I made the 7th grade in school. At first, I thought having a 4-stroke in the 125cc class was fair for the fact that Henry and Jimmy Button rode the 400cc 4-strokes in the 250cc class (Henry in '98, Button in '99 and 2000) in Supercross; I felt it was only fair because someone could say/argue, "So I can ride a 4-stroke in the 250cc class and not in the 125cc class?" I liked seeing the 450s outdoors and the 250cc 2-strokes indoors. My Dad and I ride both bikes -- 4-strokes in motocross (while I sometimes ride my Dad's CRF450 and I ride my 250F) and 2-strokes in the trails (CR250 for my Dad and a YZ250 for me). I raced that 250F for a few years, but I lost interest because nobody in the MX club I ride in wasn't really listening to people because of a lack of sufficient resources to maintain the track I ride at. Personally, I felt 4-strokes were evenly matched with the 250cc 2-strokes, even though I knew it was rider rider rider all the way. Ryan Hughes was the real man who piqued my interest in the 450cc 4-strokes when he debuted the Honda 450cc in MX in 2001 (while Heath Voss made the Supercross debut at the 2001 Vegas finale).

[@telefunkenyou47]

When you start becoming an old fart yourself, the fours flatulence starts to sound more appealing.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

When you think about it, the bike's sounds are no different to when Henry rode the YZ400 in 1997 and '98. That's all my memories of the sport at this time I'm putting down, bud.

[@Aus7iin]

Now James is announcing and did steal his job in a sense 😂

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Well, even though Cameron Steele was the pit reporter at the time before becoming TV analyst for 2004-2005, I wouldn't really say James Stewart stole his job because Cameron Steele was out as pit reporter after the '05 season.

[@vwgtdturbo]

how is here in 2021 and miss this awesome 125 pro racing?

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

That's a real tough one there. I miss a 125 or 250 2-stroke just as much as the next person.

[@jraybay]

Cool vid ! : D

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Glad you think so :)

[@mailoyndavis1975]

Too many haters phukn with Bubba..they couldn't touch him..just show him respect..he took it anyway..100% my dude

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Stew was certainly untouchable on that 125, but after he moved up was when his first real lesson of the 250 class sure showed. There was NO WAY he'd cakewalk the series in '05.

[@motomccoy413]

2:45 he wasn’t kidding!

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

No arguments there.

[@gregoryvierra6114]

Was this filmed in HD?

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Blank disc.

[@louiedangelo3843]

it was recorded with a toaster

[@torpedocyclonetom217]

Louie D'angelo dude it was 2003

[@gregoryvierra6114]

Haha

[@pacertsmith3886]

James was so damn fast

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Yes, his 125cc days were his best days. His time in the premier class was also great, but overall, he was on top when he went to San Manuel Yamaha in 2009 and going SX-only at the prime of his career ultimately did him in, and the WADA suspension was the final nail in his coffin.

[@johnwilson1794]

Wow it was a different era wasn't it. Look how much faster lites bikes are these days. It's night and day.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Well, back then, only Yamaha had their 250F 4-strokes available while Honda, KTM, Suzuki, and Kawasaki had only 125s. I agree those 125s were stinkin' fast then back in the day; I just didn't expect the 4-strokes to come out so quickly for 2004, but KTM missed the boat there and Ryan Hughes paid for it big time in 2004.

[@johnwilson1794]

I'm just comparing it to today's bikes. I've watched the lap times this year and they are usually within 3 seconds of the 450s and the same at some tracks. The works bikes must be making around 55hp to do those times. I grew up in the 80s so it's amazing to me the switch that has taken place. 4Ts back then were slow, heavy, torquey and durable and 2Ts were highly strung. Now it's the other way around almost.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

I realize your comparison -- yes. I agree with you, too. Things were much different back then; the tracks may have changed, as have the motorcycles, but this was a time when things were different and everyone was about evenly matched. Today, the one thing about the 2-strokes that has been easily noticeable is how much of the bike's credibility has been diminished. It wasn't long ago the 250 2-strokes went head-to-head with the 450Fs in the 250cc class; today, they're competing with the 250Fs in the Lites class in some series -- like in Canada's CMRC MX series. To me, that's about the only problem that is unfixable with the 250 2-strokes today. That's something I'm pretty sure you might agree with, too.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

True on all accounts. I'm glad the 250cc 2-strokes stuck around until early 2006 when guys like McGrath, Vuillemin, and Mike Brown rode them -- especially Mike Brown for almost the whole season on a privateer Suzuki RM250. Once the FIM became responsible for SX, they did make a big mistake now with barely any 2-strokes in SX and MX anymore. Now, the only one out on a 125 is privateer, Gared Steinke. Mitch Payton said it best -- "All 4-strokes did was make racing 5 times more expensive". This is also likely the reason why you don't see any privateers doing 2 classes like they were back in the early 2000s as well. Although I own a 4-stroke myself -- granted it's an 11-year old CRF250R, and my Dad owns a 2005 CRF450R -- I do like the fact that 2-strokes are notoriously easy to start with 1-2 kicks at least while 4-strokes were known to take forever to start.

[@johnwilson1794]

Yeah and 250Fs are the most expensive of all. That's the reason Chad Reed didn't run a lites bike when he was running his own team. He said it was just too expensive.

[@PauloRoberto-xs3sl]

ESSA HISTÓRIA FAZ PARTE DA MINHA LIVE

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Glad it is.

[@fawntrot4204]

Carmichael was smarter an more consistent on the track. Both still gods of motocross

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

No question about it. That's why James couldn't beat Ricky in MX straight up in the premier class.

[@Wordtoyamom]

MathewV21688 I saw him do it straight up at washougal in 2006. Also in supercross.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

​@@Wordtoyamom Ricky crashed on the final lap in the 2nd moto, so I would not call that James beating Ricky straight up in my book. The closest I can think of is Red Bud 2007 when Stewart crashed with only 3 laps to go. Ricky was definitely proven human in Supercross. Chad Reed was the first to do that when he beat him straight up 6 straight times down the stretch of the 2003 Supercross season. Add in James Stewart, and those two kept Ricky from wins in 2005 and 2006; the sad part for me is that most of those wins went to Stewart.

[@Wordtoyamom]

MathewV21688 Bubba was stalking/toying with rc and pushed him into riding over his head. it wasn’t last lap either, it was about 20 min in.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@Wordtoyamom Regardless, I still wouldn't call that James beating Ricky straight up. Yes, Stewart won the overall, but Ricky was clearly faster from my perspective, and Carmichael got the ultimate revenge the following week at Millville when he lapped the whole field in the 2nd moto (including Reed and Stewart).

[@keiannschyler]

hey Matthew, have you seen James' latest interview video? what you think?

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

I have not, but I did hear about what was generally said. I don't think he's coming back though because he didn't do what Chad Reed did and fund his own team.

[@keiannschyler]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames I've heard that the 125 all star seriee expands to all 12 rounds of pro nationals this year. james can race there if he want to. tha would be awesome.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

That I did hear about. It'd be nice to hear James on a 125 again like before. I still doubt that James is coming back to pro racing ever again though.

[@mikelovestoride2367]

Stewart at that time was in a league by himself.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

No disagreements there.

[@JordanJoness]

2:33 that fucken mic grab lmao

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

You gotta admit that James did pretty well with that schtick at Cameron Steele's job as pit reporter.

[@JordanJoness]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames you just never see that kind of stuff anymore in todays racing lol

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Yes you're right. Hard to say why though. Stewart did a good job here.

[@twisted8956]

If they stayed on 2 strokes James doubles his wins

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Probably, but 4-strokes were definitely the future of the sport. Nobody would've guessed they'd nearly dominate the sport from 2006 on, but James was sure brought to reality in summer 2005 riding that KX250 against 37 other 4-strokes.

[@johnnybgood774]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames and he still was fighting for the lead on a 2 smoke , Reed could never do that

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@johnnybgood774 Reed didn't have a 125cc career when he raced in Europe FYI -- racing 250cc class since '98 he once said. In a court of public opinion, that doesn't even matter.

[@johnnybgood774]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames public opinion disagrees with yours lol

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@johnnybgood774 Not a chance; everybody's got one.

[@Apiranaturalfitness]

He's not ready for a 250......Reeeeeeeally!!! When they don't want you there to begin with, they'll make up anything.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Well, you have to admit that at this time, James riding a 250 was really premature, even if he won the 125 West SX title with 7 straight wins.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@Uehsbn Jdjsins I honestly don't think that was the case at all.

[@VBullman287]

MathewV21688 you have a lot of tension when it comes to Stew lol. It’s interesting.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@VBullman287 I honestly never liked all of Stew's on-track incidents that he caused. The fact that people on here call James the GOAT just absolutely disgusts me! Yeah, he may have 50 wins, but he was no match for the Ryans after 2010, and eventually became no match for Chad Reed either. The fact he has only two 450cc Supercross titles and one perfect Motocross season (2008) while Carmichael's done it 3 times completely baffles me, too. His 125 career was outstanding -- 28-3 in MX and 2 titles, 2 SX titles (West in '03, East in '04), but your premier class career is what matters most.

[@TurmoilBrump]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames even Carmichael, Reed , Villopoto and every other badass from them days that competed against him would say otherwise, when it come to straight up talent/speed then James Stewart is for sure #1 His win it or bin it mentality combined with his nasty speed / making other riders hit section they just straight up didn’t want to hit is what probably leads most people to say JS7 is the goat, the guy was just gross when he swung a leg over. Ricky and James where just that good, you almost cant mention ones name without the other being said, shit was next level. I agree with you though on the GOAT Title Ricky will forever be the greatest cant dispute that. Honestly im more a fan of James for the reasons above than Ricky but its hard to separate the two. One was a hard worker the other being pure talent. Absolute legends two of the best we will ever see. #CheckersOrWreckers 🏁👊

[@LChem1]

great race. But the noise in video, wowie

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

If you are talking about the bikes, what do you reasonably expect? If you mean any other noise, that's just how old this VHS tape was when I copied it to a blank DVD.

[@LChem1]

+MathewV21688 beats me, but there is a high pitch frequency. it hurts my wittle ears. I am using a cell phone but every time I listen it hurts. only on this video.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

That's because I had copied this race onto a blank DVD -- the VHS tapes I have are pretty old, too.

[@PauloRoberto-xs3sl]

TOP

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

This moto was definitely one for the ages to say the least.

[@joshuanezat4394]

I was there, haha I was 7 at the time.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Lucky you -- I was 15 when I watched this race on ESPN2.

[@xXJBrutalXx]

i was there too but i was 23. lol

[@lect0n7]

I was also...I was 17 at the time...

[@kelliebrooks9094]

I will ride either but i love the 2 stroke sound best being hyperactive....i hate the sound of 4 strokes....i prefer RRRRRRRRR...of a factory HRC HONDA 2 stroke nothing says fast like a works 2 smoke....i had a 1986 250 i ronically a 2 stroke that had the power like a modern 4 stroke it was the best bike honda ever built after the AMA production rule was in effect i waited 10 years for my 96 250 honda to have a real good bike...peace..i miss the smell an the sound of race gas an sweet injector oil

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

I ride both, and certainly liked the 4-strokes when they came out. I miss a 2-stroke in MX just as much as the next person.

[@Nobody-xe9fc]

2:43 😂

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

You have to admit that James did a pretty good job with Cameron Steele's role as pit reporter. :D

[@ibleemen7775]

Can I get a reply in 2020?? Let's go!!!

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

17 years since we saw good racing like this.

[@midnite_in_november]

2021 says hi

[@louiedangelo3843]

RC, stewart, villopoto best of the best.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

RC, Reed, Villopoto, McGrath, and Dungey are the best of the best to me.

[@louiedangelo3843]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames stewart in his prime would beat easy reed , dungey and mcgrath. He had much more raw speed. RC could match stewart speed and when stewart raced villopoto he was out of shape and had no passion to train and race anymore. know your history.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

I know my history, pal. Stewart was NOT out of shape when he raced Villopoto -- Stewart KILLED his own career by going SX-only at the prime of his career; when he got that WADA suspension in '15, THAT officially ruined him and zapped his desire and such.

[@ericd.4253]

Grant Langston couldn't beat James Stewart If James Stewart came out of retirement today! Lol Langston damn sure couldn't beat him back then!

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Honestly, I think Langston could have after all the wrong turns Stewart made in his career after '09, but we'll never know.

[@ericd.4253]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames Grant Langston couldn't beat James when they were racing

[@ericd.4253]

When James was riding the 09 Yamaha he was unstoppable when he rode for Kawasaki he smashing them when he rode the JGR Yamaha it damn near killed him everybody sucked that rode that bike when James left JGR went to Suzuki he became second all time!

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@ericd.4253 Simply because James was on another level. The only reason Langston got close here was because James crashed and bent his front brake lever.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@ericd.4253 Yeah, and Langston was still on the mend from his eye tumor. It's a shame that something like that resulted in Langston retiring after 2010.

[@timfreise4276]

I miss Cameron Steele

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Yeah, Cameron was best as the pit reporter, but when he became the new analyst in 2004, he wasn't terrible per se, just not as insightful as David Bailey was.

[@timfreise4276]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames Yea I think Art, Bailey, and Davey were the best announcers. Cameron, while maybe not as insightful as Bailey, brought enthusiasm to the announcers booth which is why I liked him.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@timfreise4276 Exactly. No disagreements on Cameron Steele as pit reporter, too because he was pretty good at it. Art Eckman sure had a knack for that excitement in his voice, and I really felt commentating the races was never the same after the '02 Vegas finale (Art's last time calling a race). David Bailey was the best TV analyst ever -- he called it like he saw it (as Cooksey said). Some of that has rubbed off on me, too. Davey Coombs had it down to a science when he was a pit reporter himself, and he was certainly not bad as the head announcer in 2002 MX. On another note, I definitely liked Marty Reid when he was pit reporter as well because Marty had this little spunk that you just fed off of (like I did).

[@Tew730]

How many races has Hughes won since 2002

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

In terms of motos -- 3; overalls -- 1 (Hangtown). Hughes swept the Hangtown race, and won the first moto at High Point.

[@BrunoXCunha]

Was Team Chevy Trucks the factory team at this time?

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Kawasaki? Yes. Chevy Trucks also provided support for Mitch Payton's Pro Circuit Kawasaki team as well.

[@flaviomichelin5885]

19:30 ............ (l0l)

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

I couldn't understand what happened to Langston myself and why he went off the track in that corner. Everything looked good... just probably a bad decision by Langston.

[@flaviomichelin5885]

I was referring to the biiig jump that the other rider did... but.... you're right.... just probably a bad decision

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

I see. I honestly thought you were talking about Langston, and not Jesseman.

[@keiannschyler]

@ 19:31 who's that dude on a ktm? he's scrubbing a jump.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Todd Harris specifically said it was Grant Langston.

[@carlstanton2550]

Considering bubba started scrubbing in 2002,and did it all year, I'd be surprised if no one picked up on the technique

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Well, not surprisingly, other people did. Ivan Tedesco was doing that in his 2 125cc West Supercross Championship seasons (2004 and 2005). Obviously, Grant Langston did here, too. I respect Stewart and the scrub, but he never became one of my favorites after all the on-track incidents he caused when he moved up to the premiere class. I still believe that as much as 80% of his incidents could have been prevented if he just didn't go break-neck speed all the time.

[@carlstanton2550]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames agreed. Kid was fast, and no doubt a huge talent, but sometimes the whole chequers or wreckers approach is more detrimental, especially if you're going for titles. He was never my favourite rider, sure I respect what he was able to do but for me, there were too many times his attitude got in the way of his racing.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

No arguments from this corner here. Jeremy McGrath took chances, too during his reign of terror, but he didn't outright land on people intentionally like Stewart did (though McGrath did get close at times). James was outstanding on a 125 -- especially against nearly all 250F 4-strokes in 2004 -- but when he started to take riders out, my respect for him began to seriously decline. It shocks me to this day that the most harshest punishment James has received is a season's worth of probation (2007 [Toronto WSXGP] and 2010 [Phoenix heat #2]). Someone else told me on Instagram that James even denied giving a 6 or 7-year old kid an autograph at the U.S. Open (2006 I'm guessing) after he had a bad heat race. Later on, I started thinking that James Sr. was too much an influence on James -- I say that because James may have won the 2007 450cc MX title had he just listened to himself and sat out the 2nd moto at Thunder Valley after a 4th in moto 1, which gave him the points lead (especially with RC heading into retirement). When James signed w/ San Manuel Yamaha and went SX-only in 2009, that was the beginning of the end... and 2011 (I felt) brought out the REAL James Stewart when Larry Brooks left the San Manuel Yamaha team.

[@claudiamcmullen4097]

And car overall I think I will be in the same room as jesco? white Tina Hickman was White of West Virginia university

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

WTH are you talking about???

[@itsjustweezer4054]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames yea, im on the same boat ur on man. What in the fuck is claudia bull hell mcmullen thinkin about.

[@MLYJumpeR]

damn, there was really a dude who thought hed win. crazy

[@MLYJumpeR]

Next clip* stewart indeed did take the job in the future mr. sir

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

If you mean Stewart winning, that's probably what everyone else was thinking, too; if you're talking about someone else winning like Langston, Brown, or Hughes, there's always that possibility, especially after what happened to Stewart in this moto.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@MLYJumpeR No doubt. Stewart's pretty hilarious as announcer, but he's a million times better than Carmichael is.

[@MLYJumpeR]

love ricky but he definitely needs to figure it out ASAP @@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@MLYJumpeR Honestly, I thought Ricky was getting a bit better, but at some point, he would say something that sends him back to square one in my book.

[@jeffreyfonseca129]

he teaches in az bike academy

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Who? Branden Jesseman?

[@gabrielfuenzalida9597]

Bubba the best in history

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Not in my book.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

@@bunnyman6321 Neither does your racism.

[@Tew730]

Not even a half a lap and those pro riders aren't even on the same straight

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Stewart just had everyone covered.

[@TheRacingGenius88]

Una Fuckin Dilla!! The Other Side Sucks!

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

I thought the entire track was great myself.

[@dougroberts7073]

No way the quality was this terrible when it was originally broadcasted. You literally cant see anything.

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Blank DVDs were in their infancy FYI, and that shouldn't matter one iota.

[@telefunkenyou47]

It's easy to go fast with no front brake! You can't slow down so you have no choice! That's why bikes come with brakes in the first place. Why not just peg the throttle wide open and tie the cable in a knot? Sheesh!

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Thoretically it is, but on a track like Unadilla with the hills, the tight sections, the front brake is certainly vital to a good lap time. Stewart's front brake wasn't necessarily broken off, just bent down far enough to where Stewart couldn't reach it.

[@41hauls]

Why cant i stand Hughes,not that he gives a rats ass

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

I could stand Hughes. He wanted the one thing that he's wanted his whole life -- a National Championship (who can blame him). Larry Ward never won one, and he ran at the front of the pack; Mike LaRocco never won a Supercross crown, neither did Mike Kiedrowski nor Greg Albertyn (even though he was more proficient in MX).

[@rc3140]

SHIT VIDEO QUALITY!!!!

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Shouldn't even matter -- DVD making was in its infancy back then.