After a one-week break and a shocking announcement regarding James Stewart, the Lucas Oil MX series returns to action at Muddy Creek Raceway in Tennessee, June 28. Stewart is cleared to race the event.
Following a one-week break, the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship is scheduled to get back underway Saturday, June 28, with round five, the Red Bull Tennessee National, at Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tennessee.
Perhaps the biggest news to come out during the series hiatus regards the FIM’s provisional suspension of Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart after it revealed that Stewart had failed a World Anti-Doping Agency-administered drug test in April, during the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. According to Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series organizer MX Sports, Stewart is still eligible to race in the AMA outdoor series which is not FIM-affiliated. MX Sports Pro Racing issued the following statement confirming Stewart’s eligibility at the Red Bull Tennessee National:
“The provisional suspension of James Stewart by the FIM as a result of an alleged anti-doping violation on April 12, 2014, does not at this time involve MX Sports Pro Racing or the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship,” MX Sports stated. “At this stage in the results management process, the decision to compete at a National level remains with the athlete, FIM and WADA, as MX Sports Pro Racing is not a Signatory to the WADA Code and does not have the authority to impose a provisional suspension. Our sanctioning body, AMA Pro Racing, has indicated that it will not restrict Stewart from competing in the upcoming Tennessee National and will reevaluate its position pending the final decision of the FIM International Disciplinary Court (CDI). If this position changes we will be notified accordingly. Until then, Mr. Stewart is free to compete without restriction.”
That news should be considered a positive for MX fans, as two-time 450cc Champion Stewart has figured prominently in the ultra-competitive series action throughout the first four rounds, capping them off with a big 1-1 sweep of round four at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania, June 7. Stewart is one of three different riders who have landed a National win through the first four rounds, joining Red Bull KTM teammates Ken Roczen (two wins) and Ryan Dungey (one win). Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Trey Canard, while not yet having earned a win, has been extremely consistent since returning to his first full series since suffering an injury over Thanksgiving Weekend of 2013.
After going 5-0 in the first five 250cc motos of the season and scoring the first two National wins, Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin is still the class points leader. Martin’s hot 5-0 start in the motos also opened up a significant points lead in the early going, but the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett has since stepped up to challenge Martin’s dominance by posting overall wins at round three in Lakewood, Colorado, and round four at Mt. Morris. Baggett still faces an uphill battle to catch Martin atop the standings, as Martin currently enjoys a 36- point lead over his Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha teammate, Cooper Webb. The sophomore 250cc rider finished second to Martin in the first four motos, but although he has since cooled off a little he is still in the hunt for the class championship.
Action for the Red Bull Tennessee National this Saturday, June 28, begins at 8:30 a.m. ET with timed practice. Opening ceremonies get underway at 12:25 p.m. ET, with the first gate drop scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET. The Muddy Creek round also marks the series network television debut on NBC, with live second-moto coverage of the 450cc class. Live broadcast coverage from Tennessee begins Saturday, June 28, at 1 p.m. ET with the first motos of the 450cc and 250cc classes on MAVTV, followed by the season debut on NBC with a showcase of the final 450cc class moto at 3 p.m. ET. Tape-delayed coverage of the final 250cc class moto can be seen on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) at 6 p.m. ET. Additionally, all the action can be seen via live stream online at ProMotocross.com (first motos) and NBC Sports Live Extra (second motos).
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