AMA Supercross star James Stewart says he is interested in taking up IndyCar's challenge of a $5 million bonus for any outsider who can win the IZOD IndyCar Series finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October.
"If they want me in the race, I'll go," Stewart told the Indianapolis Star after Saturday night's Supercross race at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where he finished second to Ryan Villopoto. He said Saturday was the first time he'd heard of the bonus offer, but it didn't take him long to think about it: "Yeah, for sure," he said. "Yeah, I'd do it."
Stewart would seem even more of an outsider for a Vegas bid than World Rally veteran Petter Solberg, who said yesterday he'd be up for the challenge. While Solberg has at least tested a Formula 1 car, the 25-year-old Stewart has never driven a racecar, although he says he has lots of experience in shifter karts. On the other hand, the two-time Supercross champion would bring with him a huge fan base from the Supercross arena – and probably the kind of media frenzy that IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard is hoping for.