Malcolm Stewart headlines Lites program with perfect run.
James Stewart roared back into competitive action at the 2015 Red Bull Straight Rhythm to take victory in his first race of the year, winning the Open class title in spectacular fashion.
Through the first round races, it was business as usual for the star riders like Stewart, Ken Roczen and Ryan Dungey, each making short work of both races to move on.
Roczen faced off against Andrew Short in the quarters and left him behind right there as he worked his way up to the semi-finals.
KTM riders Dean Wilson and Justin Brayton found each other in this round, a replay of the semis from 2014, and again it was Brayton edging Wilson to take the ticket to the next round.
Dungey had some unexpected competition in the likes of Kyle Partridge, but weathered that storm, eventually laying down the fastest time we’d seen all weekend at a 41.7s.
Stewart once again took on Josh Hansen in the quarter-finals, for the second straight year, and once again made quick work of him to move on.
It all started to heat up in the semi-finals. Roczen took on Brayton, and was able to get the job done and secure his spot in the final.
It was the second semi that had fans on their feet – Stewart and Dungey, facing off for the first time in 2015. In the first run, Stewart looked to have the advantage, using an incredible line jumping the dragon back into the whoops.
But Dungey somehow gained an edge in the rollers and took the win. However Stewart was able to put two perfect runs together to take the win over Dungey, gaining him a spot in the final.
The stage was set for an incredible final; the 2014 Straight Rhythm champ Stewart facing off against Roczen. Roczen had not lost a single race all day and looked to be on his way to a perfect day, a la Stewart in 2014.
After the first run, it was Stewart just edging Roczen, his whoops speed making all the difference and providing Stewart the opportunity to clinch the win.
Coming into the second race, Roczen looked steadfast on taking the final to a third run, but as the two left the gate and hit the first section of the track, Roczen made a minor mistake, and completely checked up.
That ended up handing the race win and the championship to Stewart, who cruised home for his second straight Red Bull Straight Rhythm title.
It was Malcolm Stewart who claimed the Lites class victory in a special result for the famed brothers, overcoming Shane McElrath in the finals following a perfect scorecard.