Atomic Racing’s Paul Carpenter Looking to Clinch U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Top Privateer Award

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge Awards Top Privateer $25,000

AURORA, Ill. (April 24, 2008) – After 15 rounds of Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, Honda’s Paul Carpenter, of Ithaca, N.Y., leads the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge (USSTC) 136-109 over Honda’s Heath Voss, of Mico, Texas. The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge awards a total of $50,000 to the top three finishing privateers in AMA Supercross class racing.

U. S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge will award $25,000 to the top-finishing privateer, $15,000 to second place and $10,000 to third place. This weekend Carpenter has a chance to clinch the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge, which is the coveted top privateer honor.

“The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge recognizes those riders who succeed in the sport of supercross without the benefit of major corporate sponsorship," said Matt Wachtel, USSTC manager, one-on-one marketing. "Competing week-in and week-out against top factory riders, these privateers display exemplary dedication and fortitude, and we're proud to help highlight their achievements."

“This bonus fund is huge to us privateers, and for a guy like me who runs his own team, it helps pay the bills to keep the team running,” said Carpenter. “I’d like to thank the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company for giving the privateers such a great opportunity.”

The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge saw Carpenter’s 31-point lead going into Detroit’s Ford Field diminish to 22 points over Voss heading into St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome. It was a night to forget as Carpenter finished in 18th place, which was his second worst finish of the season. Carpenter picked up five points in St. Louis to bring his lead to 27 over Voss.

“This top privateer distinction is on my mind, and during the last few races I’ve been racing to salvage my points lead,” added Carpenter. “I kept crashing all night in Detroit and was not very happy with my performance.”

Carpenter, who has qualified for every main event this season, finished a season best in seventh place at Indianapolis’ RCA Dome.

Carpenter’s Race Finishes

Anaheim 1: 13

Phoenix: 12

Anaheim 2: 13

San Francisco: 21

Anaheim 3: 11

San Diego: 13

Houston: 11

Atlanta: 8

Indianapolis: 7

Daytona: 15

Minneapolis: 11

Toronto: 11

Irving: 8

Detroit: 18

St. Louis: 8

Last year David Vuillemin won top privateer honors aboard his privateer Honda team.

For more information on the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com.