Stewart to be first African-American champion?

James Stewart could make history this Sunday, as the eleventh round of the AMA Chevy Trucks US Motocross Championship takes place in Binghamton, New York.

The 16-year-old rookie sensation, who rides for Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki, has the chance to become the first African-American champion in professional AMA motocross. Stewart comes into this weekend's race at Broome-Tioga Sports Centre with a 94-point lead over Australian Chad Reed, and needing only to score six more points to clinch the AMA 125 US title. This equates to just a 15th-place or better finish in either 125 moto to clinch the title.

In addition to becoming the first African-American motocross champion, Stewart could also be the youngest in the 30-year history of the series. His entry in the pro ranks this year was one of the most highly anticipated happenings in years in the sport. Coming off perhaps the greatest amateur career in motocross, Stewart was expected to make a smooth transition to the pro ranks, but not even his most ardent fan could have anticipated his domination of the 125 series this year.

Stewart, who grew up on a farm in Haines City, Florida, has won eight of the ten rounds of the championship this year, and is currently on a six-race winning streak. This Sunday, he could tie the record for the most 125 class wins in a season with nine. He then would have the opportunity to go on to break the record at the season finale in Delmont next week.

"I want to wrap up the championship for sure," Stewart said, "But I really can't think about it too much. I'm going out there to win at Binghamton just like I do every weekend, but I know that having the chance to win my first pro championship will be in the back of my mind. I'm looking forward to it."

Boost Mobile Yamaha rider Reed has been about the only rider who's been able to beat Stewart on rare occasions this season. Like Stewart, Reed is a newcomer to the Chevy Truck-backed Championship after coming over from the World Championship Series. The Australian has had to battle a shoulder injury he suffered at Southwick early in June, but recently said the injury is finally getting better. Last week in Millville, Reed beat Stewart in the first moto after the duo traded the lead several times.

While his chances at the championship are almost gone, however, Reed would still like to finish out the season proving he can beat his American rival, and it is a sure bet that the Australian will be giving it 110 per cent in the closing two rounds.

More history could be made at Binghamton besides Stewart's probable title wrap-up. Ricky Carmichael could tie an AMA record that's been on the books for 17 years, as he chases a mark set on 11 August 1985.

Then, AMA Motocross legend Bob Hannah won his 27th AMA 250 motocross event to establish a record that has been safe all these years. However, two decades later, Carmichael is looking to join the legend atop the all-time AMA 250 motocross wins list.

"It seems like this entire year I've been breaking records that Bob Hannah set," RC said, "I never got the opportunity to see him ride other than on videos, but that guy was awesome. It's hard to believe all the records he set and now for me to have a chance to match or break a lot of those records is really an honour."

Carmichael clinched the AMA 250 Championship title last week, and is in the closing stages of the greatest season ever in the series. He's undefeated this year and has the goal of finishing the 2002 as the first rider in AMA Motocross history to complete an entire year with an unblemished record.