Stewart and Dungey Set Fastest Laps Saturday at Monster Energy/Kawasaki Motocross National from Buchanan

BUCHANAN, Mich. (July 5, 2008) – With Saturday’s practice and qualifying action, the halfway point of the 2008 Toyota Motocross Championship kicked-off with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart and Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey pacing the field for the 35th Annual Monster Energy/Kawasaki Motocross National Presented by Scott USA from RedBud.

RedBud– Credit Steve Giberson

Stewart regained his spot atop the charts after sitting out the opening days’ practice last weekend in Colorado. His lap time of 2:24.203 was over four seconds faster than any of his competitors.

“I’ve been looking forward to this race all week,” said Stewart. “My Kawasaki feels good, but we’re going to make a couple of small changes to make it even better. The track is in great shape and I can’t wait for the racing to start tomorrow.”

James Stewart – Credit Steve Giberson

Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Mike Alessi posted the day’s second-fastest lap with a time of 2:28.302. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry followed in third at 2:30.413.

After suffering a hard fall in Thunder Valley which knocked him out of the event, Dungey bounced back this weekend to set a stellar lap of 2:31.600 to sit atop the AMA Motocross Lites leader board.

“I took a little tumble last week,” explained Dungey. “I just needed some time (to recover). It’s a little bit scary and brings you back to reality, but I’m just really glad to be back doing what I love. I did my best and just tried to be on today. Being fastest isn’t what counts though. You got to be able to put two motos together.”

MDK/KTM’s Ryan Sipes finished Saturday with the second fastest lap time at 2:32.419, while Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto grabbed the third position with a 2:32.647.

Sunday’s main event action for the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Motocross National kicks off at 1 p.m. Live audio of the event can be heard on live.motocross.com while SPEED will air the action from the AMA Motocross class on July 12 at 10 p.m. ET and the AMA Motocross Lites on July 15 at 2 p.m. ET.

Ryan Dungey – Credit Steve Giberson

 Motocross Class Saturday Practice

1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 2:24.203
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 2:28.302
3. Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 2:30.413
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Tex., Honda, 2:31.070
5. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 2:31.227
6. Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 2:31.434
7. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 2:31.974
8. Cody Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 2:32.599
9. Nic Wey, Dewitt, Mich., KTM, 2:33.631
10. Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Honda, 2:33.839

Motocross Lites Saturday Practice

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki 2:31.600
2. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., KTM, 2:32.419
3. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 2:32.647
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM, 2:33.006
5. Trey Canard, Elk City, Okla., Honda, 2:33.197
6. Kyle Chisholm, Seminole, Fla., Kawasaki, 2:33.302
7. Nico Izzi, Saint Clair, Mich., Suzuki, 2:33.326
8. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 2:33.561
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 2:33.830
10. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 2:34.505

Interview opportunities are available to the media by contacting AMA Toyota Motocross Championship media coordinator Brandon Short via email at Media@MXNationals.com or by phone at 951-203-2605.

For more information on the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, log on to www.amamotocross.com for live timing and scoring at @theWireLIVE!. Racer X Illustrated will host a new and improved webcast on www.motocross.com, with live racing action hosted by Jason Weigandt. The Racer X Motocross Show on Motocross.com has also been added on Saturday night of each race weekend, featuring practice footage and interviews taken earlier in the day.

Credential requests for each round of the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF must be submitted via email to Media@MXNationals.com three weeks prior to the race. Media members interested in interviews with the riders of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF should contact Brandon at 951-203-2605 or email Media@MXNationals.com.  

About the National Promoters Group (NPG)
The National Promoters Group (NPG) comprises 12 individual promoters of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF which sanctions outdoor motocross events throughout the United States, and remains the Nation's premier outdoor motocross championship series. NPG's mission is to raise awareness of motocross racing through the production of professional championship racing events nationwide.

About AMA Racing
AMA Racing is the competition arm of the American Motorcyclist Association and is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its professional properties include the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross Series, an FIM World Championship, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Flat Track Championship, the AMA Supermoto Championship and the AMA Pro ATV Championship. In amateur and pro-am competition, AMA Racing sanctions over 4000 events in 24 different disciplines and supports over 110 thousand active members. For more information about professional racing, visit www.amaproracing.com. Accredited media outlets can also access an on line Press Room at www.amaproracing.com/pressroom. For amateur racing information visit www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/amasports.asp.