COLUMBUS – About the only things able to slow down hard-charging Kawasaki riders James “Bubba” Stewart and Ryan Villopoto were the bolts of lightning and claps of thunder that halted action in the AMA Toyota Motocross Lites’ second moto Sunday afternoon at Unadilla Valley Sports Center.

Stewart, coming off the 2007 Supercross championship, remained perfect in the eighth round of the 2008 AMA Motocross championships at Unadilla Valley Sports Center winning each moto with ease.

The heir apparent to legend Ricky Carmichael, Stewart continued his march toward a perfect season, an accomplishment done three times by the retired Carmichael in 2002, 2004, and 2005.

Just 22 years old, Stewart, the most decorated African-American motocross rider in the AMA history blazed to the front midway through the opening lap in the first moto, and led by nine seconds after the second lap over Suzuki’s Michael Byrne, and increased his lead to nearly 30 seconds before cruising to the win.

Stewart was consistently putting in two-minute, 15-second laps on the board – at least three seconds faster than anyone else on the hilly, natural terrain at UVSC. “I came into this race with a positive attitude, and it’s paying off,” Stewart said, who was prophetic in his pre-race comments. “This place isn’t my favorite, but I’m riding well.”