Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich Wins Vegas EnduroCross Final Colton Haaker wins E3 Spark Plugs Junior Championship

Courtesy of Endurocross

LAS VEGAS, NV (November 21, 2009) –  After a close second place finish at the opening round, Ricky Dietrich, the defending EnduroCross Champion suffered an injury at round two of the 2009 Geico EnduroCross Series presented by E3 Spark Plugs and was not a factor in the championship.  But tonight, Dietrich played the role of spoiler.  KTM’s Taddy Blazusiak had the $50,000 Geico Triple Crown bonus on the line if he could win the Vegas final.  But Blazusiak did not get a great start and went down hard while trying to make up time on the first lap. 

Muscle Milk KTM’s Mike Brown set the fastest hot lap to get the day started.  Blazusiak had the second fastest time ahead of Sherco mounted Graham Jarvis, a top trials rider from the UK that is proving his ability at EnduroCross type events on both sides of the pond. 

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Destry Abbot competed in the Baja 1000 the day before and made the long drive to Vegas pay off by collecting the $500 Girardi Wealth Management Holeshot award to start the main event.  His lead was short lived however as there was a lot of bumping and banging during the first lap and most of the field got stuck in the in the large rock pile.  Christini KTM mounted Geoff Aaron took the lead and appeared to be on his way to his second main event win of the season but Dietrich pushed hard to close the gap and made a pass for the lead on lap six.  Aaron held onto second while Damon Huffman won a race long battle with Lucas Oil backed Colton Haaker for the final podium position.  Taddy Blazusiak recovered from his first lap crash to finish fifth but has an extremely sore knee. 

Blazusiak had already clinched the 2009 Geico Powersports EnduroCross championship and Geoff Aaron finished second ahead of Huffman.  By finishing fourth overall in the series, Colton Haaker won the inaugural E3 Spark Plugs’ EnduroCross Pro Junior Championship, the series within a series that allows riders aged 16-21 to compete for an AMA number one plate.  Husqvarna’s Cory Graffunder finished fifth overall and second in the chase for the Junior Championship. 

The Las Vegas EnduroCross final also played host to three classes of Amateur Grand Championships.  Riders qualified by finishing in the top two at the previous five rounds to earn a place in the Amateur finals in Las Vegas.  Geico backed Eric Rodgers won the Open Amateur title.  Sixteen year old Ryan Sandoval won the TrialsCross title and Joe Kopp, the former Grand National Dirt Track champion won the Vet Grand Championship. 

Las Vegas, NV, Geico Powersports AMA EnduroCross Expert Main Event Results

1. Ricky Dietrich            Kawasaki
2. Geoff Aaron               Christini KTM
3. Damon Huffman        Kawasaki
4. Colton Haaker           Kawasaki
5. Taddy Blazusiak        KTM
6. Cody Webb               KTM
7. Bobby Prochnau       KTM
8. Cory Graffunder         Husqvarna
9. Mike Brown                KTM
10. Graham Jarvis           Sherco
11. Destry Abbott            Kawasaki

All six rounds of the 2009 Geico AMA EnduroCross will air on the Lucas Motosports Hour on the Versus Network starting in October.  For more information and air times, check www.motorsportshour.com. 

EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of off road racing into a supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole… and even a few special obstacles like giant tires thrown in!  Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor version of extreme off road racing will certainly keep you on your feet. The GEICO Powersports AMA EnduroCross series, presented by E3 Spark Plugs, will be captured by the Versus Network, to be aired on the popular grassroots racing program; The Lucas Motorsports Hour. With its excitement and unpredictability, the EnduroCross championship has always down to the wire and this year will be no different as the series starts and finishes at Vegas’ Orleans Arena! Don’t miss your chance to see GEICO Powersports AMA Endurocross “Live” - and be sure to log-on to www.Versus.com for local airing dates/times for the Lucas Motorsports Hour.

Exclusive Rockstar Energy US Open Room Rates

Press Release fromRockstar Energy US Open

An exclusive room rate at the MGM Grand for the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden Arena October 9-11 will be available to fans, racers and industry for $99 per night (plus tax) Sunday-Thursday and $199 per night Friday & Saturday.

The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open is the only race of the season where the fans, racers and industry converge at the MGM Grand for gaming and entertainment then head to the MGM Grand Garden Arena for one of the world’s most intimate races, featuring top riders such as James Stewart, Chad Reed and Kevin Windham, who have all committed to compete in this year’s race.

“For as little as $99, fans can take advantage of this special offer and stay where the stars of supercross stay,” said Todd Jendro, senior director of operations, Feld Motor Sports.

Larger than the average Las Vegas rooms, the 446 square foot deluxe rooms at the MGM Grand are decorated in classic motifs offering the finest in elegance and comfort. Coupled with great nightlife clubs and some of the best dining Las Vegas has to offer, the MGM Grand is the premier hotel for any Las Vegas traveler. For reservations now within the Rockstar Energy Drink US Open fan room block, simply go to www.ussx.com.

Tickets for the 2009 Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open are available at Ticketmaster locations, Carter Powersports (located at 6275 South Decatur Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89118) the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office, www.ussx.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Two-Time Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open Champion Stewart To Defend Title

Press Release from Feld Entertainment

AURORA, Ill. (July 6, 2009) - Defending Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open champion and recently crowned AMA Supercross class champion James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., announced today that he will defend his title at this year's race inside Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena October 9-11.

At last year's Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open, Stewart capped of a stellar 1-1 weekend en route to winning his second championship at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It was a special win for Stewart, who was competing aboard a new bike and new team for the first-time in his professional career.

"The U.S. Open is a part of preparation for myself and the San Manuel Yamaha Race Team leading into the 2010 season," said Stewart. "Last year, the U.S. Open was my first race with my new team and it turned out to be a great weekend. I had only ridden a Yamaha about four times before heading to Las Vegas to race in the U.S. Open and this year will be similar to last year because we have a completely new motorcycle that I will be racing. The U.S. Open is one of our steps for preparing for the 2010."

"As the defending Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open champion, it's great to have James' support in this unique race once again," said Dave Prater, director of supercross, Feld Entertainment Motor Sports. "James persevered at last year's race to win the second Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open championship of his career. A win this year for James can tie him on the all-time win list with Ricky Carmichael."

At the 2006 race inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Stewart swept both nights of racing en route to his first Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open title. During the two-night race, Stewart beat defending Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open champion Ricky Carmichael.

Tickets for the 2009 Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open are available at Ticketmaster locations, Carter Powersports (located at 6275 South Decatur Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89118) the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office, www.ussx.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

For more information on the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open, please log on to www.ussx.com.

About Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy® Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Freestyle Motocross, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world's largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

About Rockstar Energy Drink
"ROCKSTAR is the world's most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles - from athletes to rock stars.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available in eleven amazing flavors: Original, Sugar Free, Zero Carb, Juiced Mango Orange Passion Fruit, Juiced Guava, Juiced Pomegranate, Tropical Punched, Punched Citrus, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Latte, and Roasted Light Vanilla. ROCKSTAR ENERGY SHOTS are available in Wild Berry and Tropical Punch flavors.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available at convenience and grocery retail outlets across the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Spain, The Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout the United Kingdom."