At 18, It’s a Wonderful Supercross Life for Him

James “Bubba” Stewart has yet to ride in his first major league supercross, yet the 18-year-old African American rider is the most sought-after motorcycle personality in the world.

Tom Cruise’s production company is already planning a big-budget movie on Stewart’s life; several NASCAR teams have offered him opportunities to switch to Nextel Cup stock cars; his likeness has appeared on the sides of six-story buildings in London and other foreign cities; and 40 cycle magazines have had him on their cover.

And he hasn’t won a major race yet. After record-breaking careers as an amateur and 125cc rider, he will make his 250cc supercross debut Jan. 8 in Anaheim.

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Trivia time: What is the most points scored by one team in a USC-UCLA football game?

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The real truth: One of the myths of the NFL is that you have to run the football to be successful. Paul Daugherty of the Cincinnati Enquirer debunks the theory, noting, “The Eagles are 10-1. Name me their ‘feature’ back. That’d be Brian Westbrook, the 19th-best runner in the league.

“How many championships did Barry Sanders win? Eric Dickerson? Earl Campbell, Gale Sayers, O.J.? Walter Payton won one, on a team celebrated for its defense.”

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Heavy duty: Jason Giambi sat out more than half the season for the New York Yankees, in part because of an intestinal parasite.

“It’s believed to be the only intestinal parasite that can bench 300 pounds,” says Bret Lewis of KFWB.

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Sounds familiar: California Speedway is looking for a name for its Labor Day weekend NASCAR Nextel Cup race after General Mills did not pick up its option for the race that for years was held in Darlington, S.C.

How about Southern 500?

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Different strokes: Street protests by Islamic groups against women wearing bathing suits caused cancellation of a swimming competition in Chandpur, Bangladesh.

“Swimming costumes expose part of women’s body, and that’s why it is derogatory for women,” said protest leader Khawja Oliullah. “It also goes against the Islamic sense of decency.”

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Shopping time: Looking for a quick Christmas present? Indianapolis Motor Speedway is offering a small piece of the track’s asphalt, mounted on a plaque, for $10. Just what you want for the coffee table.

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Double dipping: Shooting his age, 67, on the Tijeras Creek Course wasn’t enough for John Reed of Mission Viejo. In the same round he also had a hole in one, an eight-iron shot on the 154-yard fifth hole.

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Trivia answer: 76, by USC in 1929, the first time the two schools met in football. UCLA’s high came in a 48-41 double-overtime victory in 1996.

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And finally: Indianapolis Colt Coach Tony Dungy, on Notre Dame’s firing of Tyrone Willingham: “When you see the press conference, you realize what it’s all about. They say, ‘Hey, everything’s great, everything’s fine, but we just weren’t winning enough.’ I didn’t think I’d ever see Notre Dame in that boat, but they are, with everybody else.”