Day 2 Report: Rockstar Energy U.S. Open

Words by Kristen Beat, photos by BrownDogWilson

James Stewart won big in Vegas, and not only cashed in his chips but put on a show that had the entire MGM Garden Arena cheering in excitement.

It was evident in the timed practices that Stewart had become comfortable with the track. His innate skill for finding good lines and a sustainable rhythm allowed him to pull the fastest time. When asked about his race, he said "I went slow and I just charged where I was, I could tell I had to find a place to pick it up, somewhere..."

Before the race Chad Reed said his expectations for the night were to, "Go in and put myself in a good position to win and walk away tonight learning from the race." "Last night really didn't go to plan but we are just going to turn it around, it's a whole new night and we are going to see what we can do."

Click here for photos from Friday

Click here for photos from Saturday

The Rockstar Makita Suzuki pit was a beehive of chaos and anticipation. Amidst the buzzing activity Roger DeCoster and Chad Reed strategized prior to his heat. DeCoster's advice must have worked. Reed dominated heat one, with Short, Byrne and Partridge close behind.

I had the opportunity to ask Chad Reed which motivated him more, the money or the opportunity to prove himself. Chad Responded, "With last night's results the prize money is basically out of the door for me, I'm not really eligible the best I can do is get the $10,000 superbowl, but what I'm doing more is learning. We made a lot of changes after both practices and I really want to use it as a stepping stone to 2009."

Heat two was a mad dash for the win. Anything can happen in Vegas, and Ryan Dungey was determined to take the lead from Broc Hepler who had claimed the holeshot. Behind them was the number 122 bike of Dan Reardon. Reardon's mechanic had said their expectations were to, "take home the win," although Tommy Hahn had other plans in mind. Dungey made the pass, putting B-Hep in second and Hahn put the move on Reardon to take over third.

Heat three saw Stewart grab the win with Ivan Tedesco and Justin Brayton trailing behind. There was nothing to hold Stewart back, and as the semi rounds of racing passed it became evident that a tension was growing.

Night two of the legends race exposed younger generations to two of the most respected names in motocross, Jeff Matiasevich and Damon Bradshaw. The overwhelming favorite was Bradshaw. Mad Mike Jones commented, "I'd put my money on Bradshaw." Grant Langston agreed and on Friday stated, "You know if I had to bet I'd choose Damon." Bradshaw took the win, and showed Las Vegas what, "The Beast" was really made of.

Shortly after the legends made their way off the track the bikes started rolling to the starting line. It was time for the main event. The gate dropped and emerging from the pack was Broc Hepler to take the holeshot. Chad Reed was on the throttle and showed no signs of letting off. Tedesco and Stewart battled closely behind. By lap three Hepler had fallen to a respectable third place position with Reed in first and Stewart trailing. With 20 laps of racing, Stewart showed a calm sense of ease and control on the track. Reed gained a 3 second lead on Stewart whom on lap seven was followed by Hepler and Short. By lap eight Hepler was out of the run and Dungey moved into fourth with Tedesco in fifth. Then it happened, lap 16 Reed went down. Stewart moved ahead and it was all over.

Click here for photos from Friday

Click here for photos from Saturday

Final results:

1. James Stewart, Yamaha (1-1)
2. Ivan Tedesco, Honda (5-4)
3. Ryan Dungey, Suzuki (5-4)
4. Andrew Short, Honda (9-2)
5. Justin Brayton, KTM (4-9)
6. Josh Hill, Yamaha (3-12)
7. Michael Byrne, Suzuki (7-6)
8. Chad Reed, Suzuki (14-3)
9. Thomas Hahn, Kawasaki (8-13)
10. Broc Hepler, Yamaha (6-11)

After the race James answered a few of my questions all the while wearing a smile brighter than all the lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

How did you feel about your race?

"I thought the race was awesome I mean I'm happy, I didn't get the holeshot but I got to race the guy I'll be racing all series, and it's early in the season. It's just good to get it under my belt, and the race went great for me."

Where do you go from here, what is your next move?

"Bercy will be my next race, and I get to race against Kevin and Josh and I'm excited to go over and see the European fans, it's a show here but I hear it doesn't even come close to what it is over there so I'm excited, you know me whenever there's a show I love to be apart of it."

This is true, and Stewart definitely put on a show for Las Vegas. Stewart took the overall win and was joined on the podium by Tedesco in second and Dungey with third.

See you at A1!

Click here for photos from Friday

Click here for photos from Saturday