Stewart Enjoys $100,000-Plus Payday at Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open

LAS VEGAS (October 11, 2008) – L&M San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., won the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, taking home the $100,000 winner’s pay check.

Stewart set the stage coming into tonight’s main event, winning the superpole, which put him two steps away from claiming the $250,000 Trifecta bonus award. Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chad Reed, of Dade City, Fla., stopped Stewart from winning the $250,000 when he won the holeshot award. Yamaha’s Broc Hepler, of Kittanning, Pa., followed Reed through turn one and Stewart started in fourth.

Reed led the first 16 laps before suffering a major crash that allowed Stewart to move into the lead. Red Bull Honda’s Andrew Short, of Smithville, Texas, moved into second place, where he finished. Reed finished third.

In the overall, Red Bull Honda’s Ivan Tedesco, of Tallahassee, Fla., finished second and Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle, Plaine, Minn., finished third.

“I wanted to come here and do good for the team,” said Stewart. “I was lucky that Chad made a mistake for me. It was a great night and I am glad that we put on a great race for the fans.”

Jesse Nelson bounced back from a rough ride Friday night to win the Alpinestars 85cc Mini Invitational. While trailing Nelson, Joe Savatgy, who finished second last night, crashed the timing section, giving up his chase for the lead. Austin Politelli, who won last night’s main event, finished second place tonight and won the overall.

Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open Overall Results

James Stewart, Yamaha (1-1)
Ivan Tedesco, Honda (5-4)
Ryan Dungey, Suzuki (5-4)
Andrew Short, Honda (9-2)
Justin Brayton, KTM (4-9)
Josh Hill, Yamaha (3-12)
Michael Byrne, Suzuki (7-6)
Chad Reed, Suzuki (14-3)
Thomas Hahn, Kawasaki (8-13)
Broc Hepler, Yamaha (6-11)

Alpinestars 85cc Mini Invitational Overall Results

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

Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open Saturday Night Results

James Stewart, Yamaha
Andrew Short, Honda
Chad Reed, Suzuki
Ryan Dungey, Suzuki
Ivan Tedesco, Honda
Michael Byrne, Suzuki
Dan Reardon, Honda
Thomas Hahn, Kawasaki
Justin Brayton, KTM
Nico Izzi, Suzuki

Legends Rematch Race, Saturday Night Results

Damon Bradshaw, Yamaha
Jeff Matiasevich, Kawasaki

Alpinestars 85cc Mini Invitational, Saturday Night Results

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

KTM Junior Supercross Challenge, Saturday Night Results

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

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.