Reed to Race Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open

Former Two-Time U.S. Open Champion Reed Squares off Against Reigning Champ Stewart

 AURORA, Ill. (July 17, 2007) – The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open announced today that former two-time U.S. Open champion Chad Reed announced today that he will race in this year’s event at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena October 12-14. Reed joins recently announced and reigning champion James Stewart on the starting line.

Reed, who rides for San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Yamaha, won back-to-back U.S. Open championships in 2003 and 2004, besting rival Ricky Carmichael. Known for his indoor skills, Reed has 26 career AMA Supercross wins and is fifth on the all-time win list.

“The U.S. Open is a great event,” said Reed. “It’s a two-night race wit such prestige and history. When I moved to America, it was a race I really looked forward to competing in. It receives great publicity, so after winning the race in ’03 and ’04, it helped boost my profile in this sport.”

This year Reed signed a supercross-only contract and did not compete in the AMA Motocross season.

“I took the summer off so I could rest up,” added Reed. “It was a decision I made so that I can show up at the U.S. Open ready and excited to race. I have a great program, but I need to be healthy. I have been injured every year for the past three years, and you can’t compete against the best if you are not at your best. Just being able to ride and train consistently will be great for me.”

The highly anticipated race between Reed and rival Stewart will unfold inside the intimate MGM Grand Garden Arena where fans will have an up-close look at this epic battle.

“James is a great rider and excellent competitor,” said Reed. “He does not contribute to my motivation for success, though. I am motivated by my will to win.”

Reed came to the U.S. from Australia in 2002 and has quickly become one of the world’s top supercross racers. In his AMA rookie year, he won the 125cc Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Series. The following season he moved to the premier AMA Supercross class and in second place, winning eight races and scoring an additional six podium finishes. In 2004, Reed had his best season ever, earning the championship and 10 wins. Since moving into the premier class, he has yet to finish worse than second place in AMA Supercross.

“The U.S. Open is a fun weekend for the riders and fans,” said Reed. “The track is really tight, which reminds me of the supercross races I competed in while growing up in Australia. It’s fast and intense and all of the riders are eager to get their hands on the $100,000 check. Due to injuries, I have not been able to race at the U.S. Open since 2004, so I am really looking forward to it.”

Tickets are now available for the 10th annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas October 12-14, 2007 at www.ussx.com, www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 702-474-4000 or the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Regarded as one of off-road motorcycling’s premier races, the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open is the final ‘major’ race of the motocross season. Tickets are available for as low as $20 through Ticketmaster.com. All tickets subject to 5% Las Vegas Entertainment tax.

About The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open

The 10th-annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open is an invite-only indoor off-road motocross race inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena October 12-14, 2007, featuring the world’s top supercross/motocross racers. Live Nation is the world's largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world.  We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay.  Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues® music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London’s Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States, according to Nielsen//NetRatings.  In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events.  In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.”

About AMA Racing

AMA Racing is the competition arm of the American Motorcyclist Association and is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its professional properties include the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship, the AMA Supermoto Championship and the AMA Pro ATV Championship. In amateur and pro-am competition, AMA Racing sanctions over 4000 events in 24 different disciplines and supports over 110 thousand active members. For more information about professional racing, visit www.amaproracing.com. Accredited media outlets can also access an on line Press Room at www.amaproracing.com/pressroom. For amateur racing information visit www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/amasports.asp.