Washougal: Saturday practice notes

Kawasaki Riders Stewart and Villopoto Pace Saturday Practice at The Motosport.com National from Washougal

WASHOUGAL, Wash. (July 26, 2008) -- AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF class points leaders James Stewart, of Monster Energy Kawasaki, and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto set the pace on Saturday for practice and qualifying at The Motosport.com National at Washougal Motocross Park Presented by Yamaha and Scott USA.

Stewart jumped to the top of the board in the AMA Motocross class early in the first session of the day and stayed there throughout both sessions. His time of 2:16.263 was two seconds faster than Red Bull Honda's Andrew Short at 2:18.349.

"It's a little slick out there," said Stewart. "I think it will be a little better tomorrow. I'm just going to stay within myself. All season I've taken it one moto at time and I'm just going to keep that mindset tomorrow."

Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Michael Byrne followed Short in third at 2:18.594.

In the AMA Motocross Lites class, Villopoto's top time of 2:16.868 from the first practice session set the tone, edging out Geico Powersports Honda's Trey Canard at 2:17.366.

"The track is in good shape," said Villopoto. "It's always good to race near your house and I've already seen a lot of signs cheering me on. I just need to get a good start, so I can get my first overall win at my home race."

Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey rounded out the top three with a time of 2:17.872.

Sunday's main event action for The Motosport.com National at Washougal Motocross Park Presented by Yamaha and Scott USA kicks off at 1 p.m. ET. Live audio coverage of the event can be heard on live.motocross.com. SPEED will televise the action for the AMA Motocross class on August 2 at 10 p.m. ET and the AMA Motocross Lites class on August 6 at 2 p.m. ET.

-credit: ama