Former AMA Motocross and Supercross Champion James Stewart has withdrawn form this weekends round of the AMA Lucas Oils Motocross Championship at Southwick and from the remainder of the 2010 Nationals, Stewart had previously stated he would compete in the last four rounds.
Stewart had re-joined the championship in an effort to be selected for the American Motocross of Nations team. After not being selected Stewart released a scathing personal letter in which he expressed his disappointment at not making the team believing that if he made it back for the last four Nationals he would be selected. His first race back was less than stellar finishing third in the opening moto and then pulling out of the second.
Stewart had missed most of the season after hurting his wrist early in the Supercross season.
"I hope my fans will understand. I have said before that I wanted to be on the track starting in Sacramento," Stewart explained.
"But the slow healing nature of my wrist injury made it impossible to do that. Watching race after race and not being a part of the series was very hard. All along my motivation was to get back to racing and return to the Motocross National Series for my fans and sponsors.
"The reality is, though my wrist is feeling great, I‰Ûªm not ready to race at this level. As much as I‰Ûªd like to be out there, I need more time to prepare so that I don‰Ûªt put my entire career at risk by getting injured again.
"A younger James might not have been mature enough to make this decision, but I‰Ûªve learned a lot in recent years and sometimes you have to do what‰Ûªs right, despite what‰Ûªs in your heart. I‰Ûªd like to apologize to my fans, the Outdoor National series and my sponsors. You've been incredibly supportive of me throughout these recent months.
"I am sorry if what I‰Ûªve said or done has disappointed anyone in any way, but I'll be back on the track at Anaheim 1 and ready to race. I plan to work hard over the next few months and do what I know I need to do to prepare for a chance at the next Supercross Championship title" Stewart concluded.
L&M Team Manager Larry Brooks added, "We had every intention of racing Southwick and beyond, but sometimes you have to see the bigger picture and make a decision based on what‰Ûªs right, not on what you‰Ûªd like to do at the time. We‰Ûªre a Team and we have to do what we feel is best to ensure we have every opportunity to win the next Championship," Brooks concluded.
