Wortham: Series Saturday practice notes

Familiar Faces Top the Charts on Saturday at Monster Energy Freestone Motocross National in Wortham

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.

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.

-credit: ama