James Stewart Retires

Friday, May 17, 2019 | 4:55 PM

Former Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Champion James "Bubba" Stewart has officially announced his retirement, doing so in the third and final installment of a video series produced by his gear company, Seven.

The Haines City, Florida, native is arguably the most transcendent athlete the sport has ever seen, breaking countless barriers and pushing the skillset of the modern motocross athlete to new levels that were once unheard of.

Stewart's prowess on the track helped him become a global phenomenon, and throughout his career he broadened the scope of motocross to an unprecedented scale, widely recognized as the "fastest man on the planet." Virtually everything he did was spectacular, and his talents on a motorcycle captivated anyone who watched. 

Stewart celebrates after capturing his first career Pro Motocross title in 2002.
Stewart celebrates after capturing his first career Pro Motocross title in 2002. Racer X Archives

The on-track success Stewart achieved in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship alone is guaranteed to make him an eventual Hall of Famer. He earned a trio of championships in American motocross, with a pair of 250 Class titles and one 450 Class championship. He'll go down as the most dominant 125cc rider in history, amassing 28 wins in 31 career starts, and he'll forever be remembered as the only other rider, alongside Ricky Carmichael, to compile a perfect 450 Class season, going 24-0 en route to the 2008 title. Beyond Pro Motocross, Stewart won a pair of premier class titles in AMA Supercross, and he's one of just three riders to win both of supercross' regional championships. At the Motocross of Nations, Stewart led Team USA to a pair of victories.

Stewart's final start came at the Washougal National during the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, while the final victory of his illustrious career came at the 2014 High Point National.

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