After missing most of the 2008 AMA Supercross season, James Stewart made a triumphant return during round one of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF at Glen Helen Raceway.
The Monster Energy Kawasaki star posted perfect 1-1 moto finishes to notch his fifth overall victory of his AMA Motocross career. Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi finished 2-2 for second overall while
Red Bull Honda's Davi Millsaps was third with 3-3.
"I am stoked to come back and get a 1-1 today," said Stewart, who missed a majority of the 2008 season with an injured knee. "We have been working hard. I didn't know where I was going to be at, but I was having a blast out there. I feel like we can improve and each we can get better. I'm looking forward to going to Sacramento [next week] and that track is rough and it should be hot."
In the Lites class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Austin Stroupe picked up his first career win. Stroupe capitalised on a strong opening moto, using his runner-up finish to help overcome a fall in moto two while in the lead. After falling to fourth, he battled with team-mate Brett Metcalfe to take the third in the closing laps.
Third Monster Kawasaki rider and defending AMA Motocross Lites champion Ryan Villopoto - whom many fans had hoped would be stepping up to the 450cc class this season - overcame a tough first moto to take the top spot in moto two, posting a 5-1 for second overall. Boost Mobile Yamaha of Troy's Jason Lawrence took third overall, garnering his first moto win in the opening race and backing it with a fifth place in moto two.
