James Stewart crashed out of his heat race at Anaheim II over the weekend. Image: Simon Cudby.

Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX’s James Stewart is content with second place at Anaheim II’s fifth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series after battling back from a heavy heat race crash to take second in the main event.

While leading the first heat he mistimed a rhythm section and went down. In discomfort but electing to attempt the Last Chance Qualifying race the former champion made it through to the main event, but without an ideal gate pick.

Stewart dodged his way through the middle of the pack to reach title rival Chad Reed and was able to get by, but was then unable to close up to the rear wheel of series lead Ryan Villopoto.

“To get second tonight was actually pretty good considering how the heat race went and how beat up I feel right now,” he said. “It knocked the wind out of me, and my ribs and my wrist, so I’ll be sore but we’ll be back.

“It’s nothing we can’t handle, but I was just trying to get through the race from there.”

Speaking of the 20-lap main, Stewart said he was content with second, all things considered.

“I didn’t get the greatest of starts and made some passes,” he reflected. “I made my way up to third and ended up getting by Chad six or seven laps into the race. I was trying to salvage [something].

“I felt like I could have gone a bit faster but I will take that. It was tough out there and definitely one of the toughest of the year!”

Stewart is now fourth in the standings and just 13 points from Villopoto at the peak of the table.