Stewart advances in supercross event at MGM

Guess what? It's Bubba

A radical new 2010 Yamaha YZ450F and a well-rested, healthy James "Bubba" Stewart proved to be too much for the field tonight in the U.S. Open of Supercross at the MGM Grand Garden. The reigning Supercross series and Open champion from Haines City, Fla., won his heat race by 8.477 seconds to advance to the 20-lap feature championship race that he won by 8.308 seconds.

Davi Millsaps of Murietta, Calif., finished second and Dan Reardon of Corona, Calif., was third.

Racing resumes 7 p.m. Saturday. Points earned Friday and Saturday will determine the winner of the $100,000 first-place check.

Lusk misses final race

Ezra Lusk's comeback after a temporary five-year retirement came up short and missed tonight's championship race. He'll get another chance Saturday night.

Metzger injured

Mike Metzger — called the godfather of freestyle motocross — broke both arms in an afternoon practice session today and missed the FMX freestyle exhibition before the championship race.

Bubba party

Stewart will host a post-race party (celebration) 11 p.m. Saturday in Studio 54 at the MGM.

Meeting a REAL hero

This is the first time I've been to a race when I've actually met a hero. You know my line: Racers and athletes aren't heroes unless they jump into a burning car and save a life. Well, Greg Waldheim is a hero and not just because he was one of three Air Force Special Forces airmen to repel with an American flag to open the U.S. Open. The 39-year-old master sergeant has been on countless special operations missions around the world and loves motocross. He has a pair of KTM bikes and rides when he can.