Who is James Bubba Stewart? All About the Life of James Stewart Sr.’s Son

James “Bubba” Stewart Jr. is a retired American professional motocross and supercross racer, born on December 21, 1985, in Bartow, Florida. He is widely recognized as one of the most talented riders in motocross history and the first African American to dominate the sport at its highest level. He is the son of James Stewart Sr.

Some athletes are born with talent. Others are shaped by the people who believe in them most. In the case of James “Bubba” Stewart Jr., both are true. He came into the world already connected to motorcycles, thanks to a father who loved the sport deeply. That early bond between father and son would grow into one of the most remarkable stories in the history of motorsport. James Bubba Stewart did not just become a champion. He changed the sport forever, broke racial barriers, and inspired generations of riders who came after him.

Early Life and Family Background

James Stewart Jr. was born on December 21, 1985, in Bartow, Florida. He was born to James Sr. and Sonya Stewart in Bartow, Florida. His family later settled in Haines City, Florida, where they would eventually build a life entirely around motocross racing.

From the very first day of his life, James was connected to motorcycles. James Stewart Sr. has since admitted that his son’s motocross education began the very day he came home from the hospital, with the proud dad introducing his three-day-old son to his Kawasaki KX250 even before stepping foot inside the family home. This was not a coincidence. It was a statement about what kind of family the Stewarts were.

His father was a professional motocross racer in Central Florida, so James Jr. was exposed to motorcycles and racing practically from birth. James Jr. started riding motorcycles when he was three years old. He was given his first bike on his fourth birthday, and that year he entered his first race.

The early years were not always easy. The Stewarts never had money, but, with their tight family connection and the parents’ strong relationship, they did whatever they could to get James to the track. James Sr. had over four jobs while James was in the amateur ranks. He collected aluminum cans, mowed lawns, and did everything in between to keep James riding and winning.

The family made every sacrifice they could. In 1997, with his son’s promising career ahead of him, Big James purchased 40 acres in Haines City, Florida, in order to create a practice track in the family’s backyard. That property became known as the Stewart Compound, and it was there that James Jr. would fine-tune the skills that would eventually take him to the top of the world.

Education and Academic Journey

James Stewart’s education took a path that was very different from most children his age. The Stewart clan traveled the country in a motorhome so that young James could compete on the national circuit. James and his younger brother Malcolm were homeschooled by their mother, Sonya, in order to accommodate the family’s itinerant lifestyle.

This decision meant that James missed out on a traditional school experience. Many other kids resented that Bubba Stewart got to travel and miss school all the time, so he was sometimes teased and picked on. Being different was not always easy for a young child, but his family remained his strongest support system throughout those years.

Stewart is a high school graduate. His formal education was secondary to his racing education, though the lessons he learned on the track — discipline, focus, how to handle setbacks — gave him a foundation that carried him through life just as well as any classroom could.

Physical Appearance and Personality

James Stewart Jr. stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches and weighs 73 kg. He has dark brown eyes and black curly hair.

On and off the track, James has always been known for his big, warm smile and outgoing energy. He is the kind of person who draws attention not just because of his accomplishments, but because of who he is as an individual. His charisma became a key part of his public appeal, and it helped expand the audience for motocross well beyond its traditional fan base.

He is competitive by nature, passionate about the sport he loves, and deeply connected to the people who supported him along the way. Those who have known him throughout his career describe him as someone who leads with confidence but never forgets where he came from.

Parents

Father

James Stewart Sr., often called “Big James,” is the most significant figure in his son’s life and career. His father was a professional motocross racer in Central Florida, and he introduced James Jr. to the sport practically from birth.

Big James was not just a father. He was a coach, a trainer, a manager, and a believer. When the sport was not welcoming to a young Black child, he stood firm. One time James Sr. brought James to a race and the gatekeeper told him they did not allow certain people to race. Big James looked the man in the eye and told him they were not there to race — they were there to win. James beat the other kids by over two minutes that day.

After buying Bubba his first motorcycle at age four, his father found himself working 70-hour weeks in order to fund their joint love of the sport. No sacrifice was too great. Big James understood that his son had a rare gift, and he committed everything he had to helping that gift reach its full potential.

Big James trained his son from the outset, and the two eventually developed James’ innovative riding style to shave seconds off the fastest competitors. The Bubba Scrub, the technique that would go on to change motocross forever, grew out of those sessions at the Stewart Compound between a father and his son.

Mother

Sonya Stewart played a role just as essential, though it was often a quieter one. She was the steady, nurturing force behind the family’s fast-moving life. Sonya took on the responsibility of educating both James and his younger brother Malcolm at home as the family traveled across the country chasing races. A lot of times James Sr. would stay home on the weekends and work, while little James and his mom would go to the races.

Sonya gave her sons consistency and warmth in the middle of a life that was constantly on the move. She was a homeschool teacher, a travel companion, a caregiver, and a constant source of encouragement. Without her willingness to devote herself fully to her children’s journey, the story of James Stewart Jr. would have looked very different.

Siblings and Extended Family

James Stewart Jr. has a younger brother, Malcolm Stewart, who is also a professional motocross racer. Malcolm followed in his older brother’s footsteps, proving that the Stewart family’s connection to motocross goes far beyond one generation. The two brothers grew up side by side, racing together, training together, and sharing a life that revolved around dirt tracks and two-wheeled machines.

Malcolm has built a strong career of his own in professional motocross and supercross, further cementing the Stewart name as one of the most important family names in the history of the sport.

Career and Professional Life

James Stewart turned professional in 2002 at just 16 years old. He turned professional in 2002, joining Kawasaki and competing in the 125cc class of the AMA Western Regional Supercross Championship. He earned his first professional victory at round 2 of the series.

What followed was one of the most dominant amateur-to-professional transitions the sport had ever seen. In his first professional season, he broke records by becoming both the youngest rider and the first rookie to win an AMA motocross championship, as well as going down as the first African American to win an AMA crown.

Stewart earned two AMA Supercross 450cc championships, one AMA Motocross 450cc championship, and two 125cc AMA Supercross titles. He also holds the record for the most wins in the 125cc class of all time.

One of his most celebrated achievements came in 2008. He is the only other rider, alongside fellow legend Ricky Carmichael, to compile a perfect championship-winning season, taking a straight 24 wins en route to the 2008 450cc title. Winning every single race in a professional season is an almost unimaginable feat in any sport.

Beyond his championships, Stewart changed the way the sport was raced. He revolutionized motocross with his aggressive riding style and groundbreaking “scrub” technique, which allowed him to clear jumps faster and with more precision than his competitors. This innovation not only changed how the sport was raced but also became a signature move emulated by racers worldwide.

He was the first African American rider to dominate motocross and supercross at the highest levels. His success and charisma helped expand the sport’s appeal to a broader audience.

His last race was on July 23, 2016. On May 17, 2019, Stewart announced he was retiring from racing. Since then, he has remained connected to the sport. Stewart currently hosts the Bubba’s World podcast through the Bleav network, where he discusses supercross and motocross topics with industry figures and fans.

Personal Life and Privacy

The relationship between Brianna Chavarria and James Stewart began in 2008, developing from a committed partnership into marriage in 2014. Brianna is a Los Angeles native who has chosen to stay largely out of the public eye. She was born on April 8, 1985, in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in a close-knit family with strong Latin American roots.

Brianna and James Stewart have built a family together with two children. Their son Tabiahs L. Stewart was born on July 9, 2016. The couple guards the details of their children’s lives carefully, choosing to give them as normal a childhood as possible away from the spotlight.

Both James and Brianna are known for keeping their family life private. This is a deliberate choice that reflects a desire to let their children grow up on their own terms, outside of the pressures of public life.

Media Presence and Public Perception

James starred in his own reality television series, Bubba’s World, which showcased his life and career. The show ran on Fuel TV for two seasons and gave fans an inside look at the man behind the helmet. It was one of the first times a motocross athlete had been featured in a mainstream reality format, and it helped bring the sport to a new audience.

Stewart amplified his legacy with high-profile partnerships with Nike and Red Bull, and an X Games medal. These endorsements confirmed that he had crossed from the world of niche motorsport into mainstream American sports culture.

In 2022, Stewart was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, representing the Motocross and Supercross category for the Class of 2022, formally enshrined at the annual induction ceremony in Pickerington, Ohio. It was a moment that recognized not just his wins, but the lasting mark he left on the sport.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

Stewart’s estimated net worth is $20 million, with primary sources of wealth being racing earnings, endorsements, and business ventures.

Stewart started his own successful gear company, Seven MX, named in homage to the number he carried for the bulk of his career. This business venture shows the entrepreneurial side of James Stewart, a man who was never content simply to follow a path others had already laid out.

He owns property in Haines City, Florida, where he grew up racing on the land his father purchased specifically to give him a place to train. That connection between where he started and where he is today speaks to who James Stewart has always been at his core.

Future Prospects

James Stewart’s post-racing chapter is still being written. Since 2023, he has been a regular commentator for the AMA SuperMotocross World Championship. His voice and perspective bring a depth of understanding to the broadcast booth that only someone who has raced at his level can offer.

His podcast continues to grow, connecting him with new generations of fans and riders. Through Seven MX, he remains an active presence in the commercial side of motocross. There is also the possibility that he will take on a mentorship role in a more formal way as the sport continues to evolve.

Whatever comes next, James Stewart has already built a legacy that will outlast any championship belt or trophy.

Legacy and Influence of Family

The story of James Stewart Jr. is not a story about one person. It is a story about a family. James Stewart Sr. gave up financial comfort and personal ease to ensure his son had every opportunity to succeed. Sonya Stewart kept the household together across thousands of miles of American highway. Malcolm Stewart carried the family name forward on the track.

The Stewarts never let prejudice or money get in the way of making James “Bubba” Stewart’s dream come true. That determination, rooted in family love, is what the legacy of James Stewart Jr. is really built on.

He did not just win races. He changed who was allowed to win them. He showed that motocross could be a sport for everyone, and he carried that message with speed, style, and grace.

Conclusion

James “Bubba” Stewart Jr. is one of the most extraordinary athletes the sport of motocross has ever produced. From his first ride as a three-day-old baby on his father’s Kawasaki to his induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, his journey has been shaped at every turn by the love of his family and the fire of his own competitive spirit. He arrived in a sport that was not ready for him, and he left it forever changed. His father planted the seed. His mother watered it. His brother grew alongside it. And James made it bloom into something the world had never seen before.

FAQs

1. Who is James Bubba Stewart?

James “Bubba” Stewart Jr. is a retired American professional motocross and supercross racer, born on December 21, 1985, in Bartow, Florida. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most talented riders in the history of the sport.

2. Who is James Bubba Stewart’s father?

His father is James Stewart Sr., also known as “Big James.” He was a motocross enthusiast and local racer in Central Florida who introduced his son to motorcycles from the time he was born and coached him throughout his entire amateur career.

3. What is James Bubba Stewart most famous for?

He is famous for his raw speed, his innovative “Bubba Scrub” technique, and being the first African American rider to dominate motocross and supercross at the highest levels.

4. How many championships did James Bubba Stewart win?

Stewart earned two AMA Supercross 450cc championships, one AMA Motocross 450cc championship, and two 125cc AMA Supercross titles.

5. Is James Bubba Stewart married?

Yes. James Stewart is married to Brianna Chavarria. Their relationship began in 2008 and they married in 2014.

6. Does James Bubba Stewart have children?

The couple has two children. Their son Tabiahs L. Stewart was born on July 9, 2016. Details about their second child have been kept private.

7. What is James Bubba Stewart’s net worth?

His estimated net worth is around $20 million, accumulated through racing earnings, endorsements, and business ventures.

8. What is James Bubba Stewart doing now?

Stewart currently hosts the Bubba’s World podcast through the Bleav network and serves as a commentator for the AMA SuperMotocross World Championship. He also continues to be involved with his motocross gear brand, Seven MX.

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