Stewart crowned 2002 US 125 champion.

James Stewart clinched the 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks US 125 Motocross Championship by winning his ninth event overall at Broome-Tioga Sports Centre on Sunday.

The 16-year old rookie became the youngest rider ever to win an AMA Motocross Championship, and also set a record for the most wins in a season for a rookie with nine aboard his factory Kawasaki. He has the chance to break the single-season win record for AMA 125 Motocross if he earns an overall victory in the season finale at Steel City Raceway, in Pennsylvania this Sunday.

Stewart's championship makes it Kawasaki's seventh AMA 125 Motocross title, and he set the tone for the season by winning his very first AMA outing in the series opener at Glen Helen Raceway near San Bernardino in May. He went on to win the Hangtown Classic and at Budds Creek, Buchanan, Troy, New Berlin, Washougal, Millville, before setting the new mark at Broome-Tioga. Stewart is also the first African-American rider to win an AMA Motocross title.

"When I was coming up as an amateur, my dream was to race as a pro," said an elated Stewart after the post-event ceremonies, "I really never thought I'd win this
many races and a championship at this early age. Being the first African-American is great, and the youngest is cool and everything. I don't see myself as a ground-breaker or a role model, but I do look at it as an honour to be the first African-American to have an impact in this sport. I love what I'm doing and I hope I can help bring more attention to our sport."

Before entering the pro ranks, Stewart was a record-setting rider in the amateur ranks and was the recipient of the AMA Horizon Award in 2001, which honours the
top amateur rider in the country. He also tallied four wins in the AMA 125 West Region Supercross Series this winter and finished the season ranked second in points.

Stewart is slated to return to the 125 ranks next year to attempt to win his first AMA Regional Supercross title and to defend his motocross title.