WORTHAM, Tex. (June 7, 2008) – With what has become a familiar trend early in the 2008 Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto topped the charts in Saturday practice at the Monster Energy Freestone Motocross National Presented by Yamaha, Kicker Audio, and Berkey’s Plumbing.

Behind Start Gate at Freestone County Raceway – Credit Brendan Lutes

In undoubtedly the most challenging conditions thus far this season, with 90-plus degree heat and intense humidity, the world’s best riders took to the second-year circuit at Freestone County Raceway for practice and qualifying. Track owner Tony Miller provided an improved and considerably faster track that produced lap times more than 12 seconds quicker than last year’s Saturday times.

Stewart, in his first visit to the Texas circuit, continued his early season dominance by posting a time of 1:59.074 and was the only rider to break the two minute mark. Red Bull Honda’s Andrew Short, who resides in Smithville, Texas, landed the second fastest time at 2:01.893 while teammate Davi Millsaps rounded out the top three with a 2:02.166.

In the AMA Motocross Lites class, Villopoto maintained his recent swing of momentum. The defending race champion set a time of 2:00.889 to pace the field while Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey followed at 2:01.779 in his first trip to Freestone. Fellow Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Austin Stroupe posted the day’s third-fastest lap with a time of 2:01.894.

Sunday’s moto action for the Monster Energy Freestone Motocross National kicks off at 1 p.m.

Andrew Short – Credit Brendan Lutes

Motocross Class Saturday Practice

James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 1:59.074
Andrew Short, Smithville, Tex., Honda, 2:01.893
Davi Millsaps, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 2:02.166
Cody Cooper, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 2:02.641
Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 2:02.791
Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 2:02.698
Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 2:03.134
Sean Hamblin, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 2:03.389
Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 2:03.485
Charles Summey, Huntersville, N.C., Yamaha, 2:03.653

Motocross Lites Saturday Practice

Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 2:00.889
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki 2:01.779
Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 2:01.894
Trey Canard, Elk City, Okla., Honda, 2:02.316
Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 2:02.896
Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Kawasaki, 2:03.276
Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 2:03.719
Andrew McFarlane, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki, 2:03.771
Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., KTM, 2:03.838
Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Tex., Honda, 2:03.943

Interview opportunities are available to the media by contacting AMA Toyota Motocross Championship media coordinator Brandon Short via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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.