Kevin Windham Set to Race Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open

AURORA, Ill. (September 13, 2006) – Honda’s Kevin Windham, 28, of Centerville, Miss., will race at the 2006 Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open October 13-14 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Windham joins Suzuki’s 15-time AMA National champion Ricky Carmichael and Kawasaki’s reigning Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP champion James Stewart on the starting line in a month.

This year’s Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open will air on CBS Sports Saturday, October 21, 2006 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. (EST) and boasts the most competitive line-up ever.

“I always enjoy coming to the U.S. Open, and this year – with the Toyota Trifecta bonus program – we all have a chance to win some serious cash,” said Windham. “Last year I felt really comfortable on the track, and I hope to capitalize on that this year.”

Windham, who finished third in last year’s U.S. Open, turned in a second place finish in moto number two last year, challenging Carmichael for the top position. Participating in four of the eight U.S. Open races during his career, Windham has finished outside the top three once (’05: 2nd; ’01: 3rd; ’00: 2nd; ’99: 7th).

“We are excited to have Kevin on the starting line-up for this year’s Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open,” said Todd Jendro, senior director of operations, Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open. “He proved that he can run up front; last year he was second behind Carmichael on Saturday night”

Last Year’s top 3

1. Ricky Carmichael
2. Michael Byrne
3. Kevin Windham

Past Champions

2005: Ricky Carmichael
2004: Chad Reed
2003: Mike LaRocco
2002: Ricky Carmichael
2001: Ricky Carmichael
2000: Ricky Carmichael
1999: Jeff Emig
1998: Damon Huffman

Built into this year's Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open format will be the three part Toyota Trifecta bonus program that will pay additional money to the fastest qualifier for each night's event, a bonus to each night's Progressive Direct Holeshot winner and a bonus for any rider that can complete the Toyota Trifecta challenge by being the fastest qualifier, getting the Progressive Direct Holeshot and winning the main event. Any rider that hits the Toyota Trifecta will earn a $50,000 bonus each night in addition to the regular event purse and any rider that can "Double Down" and hit the Toyota Trifecta both nights will walk away with $250,000 for the weekend. 

Tickets are now available for the ninth-annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas October 13-15, 2006 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. Fans can upgrade their weekend experience with the X-Treme Package. X-Treme Packages include premium tickets for all 3 days, Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open t-shirt, hat, and weekend long pit pass. X-Treme Packages are only available through www.ussx.com.

About The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open
The eighth-annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open is an invite-only indoor off-road motocross race inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena October 13-15, 2006. Reigning champion Ricky Carmichael stages his defense of the title against the world’s top motocross racers competing for the world’s largest single race purse. Live Nation is a leading live event and venue management company focused on creating superior experiences for artists, performers, corporations and fans.  Live Nation owns, operates and/or has booking rights for 153 venues worldwide and produced more than 29,500 events in 2005.  Live Nation operates more than 60 websites globally.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.”  For more information regarding Live Nation and its businesses, please visit the company’s website at www.livenation.com.

About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its 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 and the AMA Supermoto Championship presented by Parts Unlimited. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.