Stewart Rides 20 Perfect Laps to win Opening Night of Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open

LAS VEGAS (October 10, 2008) – On his first ride aboard the L&M San Manuel Yamaha, James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., won opening night of the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Stewart, who won the $10,000 superpole earlier in the evening, also won the holeshot. Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chad Reed, of Dade City, Fla., followed Stewart through turn one but crashed in turn two. The crash resulted in Reed pulling out of the race.

On the opening lap Stewart was followed by Red Bull Honda’s Ivan Tedesco, of Tallahassee, Fla., and MDK/KTM’s Justin Brayton, of Murrieta, Calif., who followed in second and third respectively. On lap eight Red Bull Honda’s Andrew Short, of Smithville, Texas, passed Brayton.

While trying to pass Tedesco on lap 14, Short caused the two riders to crash, which eventually collected Brayton. Tedesco remounted without losing his position but Yamaha’s Josh Hill, of Yoncalla, Ore., was on his back wheel. Tedesco held him off and finished second. Hill finished third.

Stewart rode 20 perfect laps and is in position to win the $250,000 Trifecta bonus program.

“I was able to get through the first turn clean,” said Stewart. “Everything worked out to my advantage tonight, and I am really lucky. I need to get some good sleep tonight and come back strong tomorrow.”

Austin Politelli, of Wildomar, Calif., raced his Suzuki to the Alpinestars 85cc Mini Invitational with a late-race pass on Kody Kamm, of Kenosha, Wis. Kamm, who rides for KTM, opened the race with a holeshot and lead the first four laps and finished third. Joey Savatgy, of Thomasville, Ga., charged hard after a bad start to earn second place.

In the highly anticipated legends rematch race between Damon Bradshaw and Jeff Matiasevich, the two former supercross stars traded positions several times in the five-lap main event. Bradshaw held on for the win.

Racing continues tomorrow night where the champion of the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open will be crowned.

Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open Friday Night Results

James Stewart, Yamaha
Ivan Tedesco, Honda
Josh Hill, Yamaha
Justin Brayton, KTM
Ryan Dungey, Suzuki
Broc Hepler, Yamaha
Michael Byrne, Suzuki
Thomas Hahn, Kawasaki
Nico Izzi, Suzuki
Kyle Chisholm, Yamaha

Legends Rematch Race, Friday Night Results

Damon Bradshaw, Yamaha
Jeff Matiasevich, Kawasaki

Alpinestars 85cc Mini Invitational, Friday Night Results

A. Politelli, Suzuki
J. Savatgy, Honda
K. Kamm, KTM
M. Bisceglia, Yamaha
D. Epstein, Yamaha
M. Maze, Suzuki
J. Owen, Suzuki
J. Nelson, Honda
C. Alldredge, Yamaha
T. Stewart, Yamaha

KTM Junior Supercross Challenge, Friday Night Results

M. McDonald, KTM
D. Drake, KTM
D. Evitts, KTM
D. Oliveira, KTM
G. Tomberlin, KTM
C. Harrison, KTM
C. Sipes, KTM
G. Bere, KTM
B. Gardener, KTM
D. Crider, KTM
J. Burke, KTM
M. Nesby, KTM
C. Blakita, KTM
J. Williams, KTM
B. Moore, KTM
C. Da Silva, KTM


Tickets are now available for the 10th anniversary of the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas October 10-12, 2008 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.