Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence Wins First AMA Lites Class Moto Of ’08 Outdoor National Season

Lawrence (Yamaha of Troy) makes the overall Lites podium with a 1-5 finish at Glen Helen (San Bernardino, Calif.) AMA Toyota MX Championship

CORONA, Calif., (May 26, 2008) – Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence (Yamaha of Troy) – the reigning WSX Monster Energy Supercross champion – opened the 2008 Outdoor National motocross season right where he left off the supercross season, winning the first AMA Lites class moto at the Glen Helen opener of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship in San Bernardino, Calif.

Lawrence then brought his YZ250F home in 5th place in the second moto to take a podium 3rd place overall position to begin the 2008 outdoor season.

Putting up the opening moto’s fastest lap time (2:43.412), Lawrence led the 14-lap contest wire-to-wire in taking the victory. “That rocked,” said the fired-up Lawrence of his first moto win. “Can’t start the season out much better than that. Gives me the confidence I’ll be able to hit up all summer long!”

In the second moto Lawrence didn’t pull as good of a start, but made it up to 5th by the end of the first lap. Maintaining 5th for some time, Lawrence was passed by fellow supercross Lites champ, Trey Canard, midway through the contest and the two SX champions aligned on what would be one of the better races within-a-race at Glen Helen. Ultimately Lawrence would get the better of Canard, passing him on lap 12 of the 14-lap contest – and making it stick – to take 5th overall and preserve the podium finish.

Next up for the Monster Energy Supercross Western Lites champion is the June 1st Hangtown MX National at Prairie City SVRA (Calif.), round two of the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship.

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it Monster Energy Supercross, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Jason Lawrence digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

MONSTER ARMY TEARS IT UP AT CORR IN PRIMM, NV

Monster Energy takes a trip down to CORR to check out all the action from the Monster Army riders, Rick Huseman, Jeremy McGrath, Rodrigo Ampudia, Johnny Greaves, and Travis Coyne.

Congratulations to both Johnny Greaves and Rick Huseman for winning first in the Pro-4 Main Event

Want to become a member of the Monster Army?
Apply at www.monsterarmy.com or www.monsterenergy.com

MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI’S HACKING FINISHES WITH SEASON-BEST THIRD IN SONOMA

Sonoma, Calif. (May 18, 2008) – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking rode an inspired race to finish with his first podium of the season in third during the fourth round of the AMA Superbike series at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Attack Kawasaki’s Steve Rapp used his great start to also finish on the podium in the AMA Formula Xtreme race.

Kawasaki Under the Kawasaki Tent

Getting There
After consistently improving his time in qualifying and practice, Hacking had the confidence he needed to put his Kawasaki ZX-10R on the podium. Starting fifth, Hacking stayed close to the front pack and was able to pass for third on lap 12.

“We were able to try a few things at the test last week and they seem to be pointing us in the right direction,” said Hacking. “We knew we would be up here, but didn’t know how soon. I’m really happy to be able to do this for Kawasaki and the team.”

Moving in the Right Direction
After qualifying second, Rapp got a great jump off the start to lead the pack through the first lap. He remained right on the tail of the riders who had gone by and rode smart to finish with his second podium of the season in third.

“I felt good at the beginning of the race,” said Rapp. “We made a change before the race and the bike felt pretty good. I knew Chaz (Davies) would be right there. I could see him in a few corners. I just tried to stay steady.”

For the Team
Getting a good finish is the pay off of hard work by the rider and especially the team that supports the every move of the rider.

“I really wanted to get a podium for the team,” said Rapp. “They worked really hard and deserve to be up there.”

Riding Hard
Davies started on the front row and was battling hard with his teammate the majority of the race, but pulled off on the 15th lap, finishing 27th.

“The race was going pretty good,” said Chaz. “I was staying right on Steve (Rapp) and thought that I might be able to pass him. Unfortunately we had some sort of issue that gave out of the bike, but looking forward to Sunday’s race.”

Hot Days
When the race started, the temperature was a hot 95 degrees. With temperatures breaking records all week, this was considered the coolest day so far this weekend.

Celebrate
Last year, Hackings first podium was over halfway through the season. The 2008 season brought a podium finish at only the fourth round.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve been up here, but I know we have a great bike that deserves to be on the podium,” said Hacking. “I know we will keep making improvements and it won’t be the last time we are up here.”

AMA Superbike Series
Infineon Raceway – Sonoma, Calif.
May 17, 2008

AMA Formula Xtreme Results
1. Jake P. Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda
2. Josh Hayes, Gulfport, Miss., Honda
3. STEVE RAPP, MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF., ATTACK KAWASAKI
4. Cory West, Eureka Springs, Ark., Suzuki
5. Larry Pegram, Pataskala, Ohio, Ducati
6. Danny C. Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Suzuki
7. NICKY MOORE, RIVERBANK, CALIF., KAWASAKI
8. Garrett Carter, Royal Oak, Mich., Suzuki
9. FERNANDO AMANTINI, CARACAS, VENEZUELA, KAWASAKI
10. Brian Parriott, Calistoga, Calif., BMW

AMA Formula Xtreme Points Standings
1. Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 132
2. STEVE RAPP, MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF., ATTACK KAWASAKI, 114
3. Larry Pegram, Pataskala, Ohio, Ducati, 111
4. CHAZ DAVIES, KNIGHTON, UK, ATTACK KAWASAKI, 95
5. Josh Hayes, Gulfport, Miss., Honda, 89
6. Martin Cardenas, Medellin, Colombia, Suzuki, 84
7. FERNANDO AMANTINI, CARACAS, VENEZUELA, KAWASAKI, 84
8. Danny Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Suzuki, 80
9. Aaron Gobert, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 65
10. Garrett Carter, Royal Oak, Mich., Suzuki, 65

AMA Superbike Class
1. Ben Spies, Longview, Texas, Suzuki
2. Matthew Mladin, Henderson, Nev., Suzuki
3. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
4. Eric Bostrom, Malibu, Calif., Yamaha
5. Aaron Yates, Milledgeville, Ga., Suzuki
6. Neil Hodgson, Isle of Man, UK, Honda
7. Jason Disalvo, Stafford, N.Y., Yamaha
8. Matt Lynn, Ball Ground, Ga., Honda
9. Geoff May, Gainesville, Ga., Suzuki
10. Miguel Duhamel, Las Vegas, Nev., Honda

AMA Superbike Points Standings
1. Matthew Mladin, Henderson, Nev., Suzuki, 210
2. Ben Spies, Longview, Texas, Suzuki, 196
3. Jason Disalvo, Stafford, N.Y., Yamaha, 161
4. Neil Hodgson, Isle of Man, UK, Honda, 155
5. Tommy Hayden, Owensboro, Ky., Suzuki, 143
6. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 141
7. Eric Bostrom, Malibu, Calif., Yamaha, 133
8. Matt Lynn, Ball Ground, Ga., Honda, 118
9. Miguel Duhamel, Las Vegas, Nev., Honda, 112
10. Aaron Yates, Milledgeville, Ga., Suzuki, 106

# # #

Monster Energy’s Shawn Watson Takes 1st Place @ The Carnival – Wakeboarding’s Marquee Rail Event

Watson leads a strong contingent of Monster Energy-backed athletes that descend upon Orlando and take it to the world’s best rail riders

CORONA, Calif., (May 12, 2008) – Monster Energy’s Shawn Watson was crowned king of the rails this past weekend at the Carnival, the nation’s premier wakeboarding rail event held at the Projects on the outskirts of Orlando.

Watson showcased his best stuff all weekend long in taking the Carnival win – arguably the biggest rail win of his career. “To win the Carnival is huge,” said Watson. “We had a bunch of guys from Monster there competing and all had each other’s backs. The competition level was insane. I was fortunate to have won because there were ten guys that were killing it all weekend.”

In the opening round Watson got by fellow Monster Energy wakeboarder Kevin Henshaw, then topped Aaron Rathy and edged Keith Lidberg in a close match. In the finals Watson was pitted against defending Carnival champ, Parks Bonifay. Again Watson stepped up and laid down a colossal finals run that included a switch toeside 270 to back lip slide/270 off the Fox transfer box. Watson then nose pressed the entire Hyperlite A-frame, giving him the win over Bonifay.

“Watson has a solid, consistent run with a lot of variety,” added Tony Smith, on of the event’s judges.

Other Monster Energy wakeboarders competing at the Carnival included: Daniel Watkins, Shane Bonifay and Danny Harf.

This weekend (May 16-18) is the first Wakeboarding Pro Tour stop of the season, opening in Acworth, Ga. Monster Energy athletes will be out in full force, including: Watson, Harf, Bonifay, Henshaw, Jimmy LaRiche (Jr. Men) and Melissa Marquardt.

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it wakeboards jibbing, bonking, hucking and schralping across rails, snowmobile distance jumping, enduro, hare scrambles, MX, road racing, supermoto, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80″ and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Everybody at the big wakeboarding events are diggin’ ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

MA rider Johnson to Debut New Chassis at Bristol; Will Attend Prestigious Medal of Honor Dinner

by Susie Arnold, Bernstein Racing

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Tommy Johnson, Jr., driver of the Monster Energy Funny Car, hails Bristol Dragway as one of his favorite tracks on the 24-event NHRA tour.

“I just love this facility,” said Johnson, “plus Bristol, before it was renovated into the premiere facility it is now, was the site of my first alcohol Funny Car win in 1987.”

Johnson, who was in the final four at Phoenix in February, acknowledges that the start of the 2008 season has been much slower than expected.

“NHRA has mandated a rule change on our Funny Car chassis that will come into effect by the July Denver event,” said Johnson. “We have tested this new-style chassis twice, most recently after the last event in St. Louis. In both tests, this chassis has performed better. Since this Hadman-built chassis is showing so much promise, we plan to run it at Bristol.

“At the St. Louis event we ran one of our best elapsed times this season,” said Johnson, “Our team has been working around the clock to make more performance strides.”

Nitro (Top Fuel and Funny Car) qualifying begins Friday, May 16 at 4:30 p.m. followed by a second session at 7 p.m. There are two qualifying sessions Saturday 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with eliminations scheduled to begin at noon Sunday.

Monster Mentions: Johnson to attend Medal of Honor dinner. Tommy Johnson will accompany wife Melanie Troxel to the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation banquet, Thursday, May 15 at the grand ballroom of the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta as guests of one of Troxel’s car owners Roger Burgess. Brian Williams, anchor of NBC nightly news and emcee of the dinner will pay respect to 25 Medal of Honor recipients. Also receiving tributes will be former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn and Kimberly Dozier, the CBS correspondent who was so badly wounded in Iraq on Memorial Day, 2006. Dozier has written a book, Breathing the Fire.

“It is quite an honor to have an opportunity to attend this dinner,” said Johnson. “I’m looking forward to being in the company of some of our country’s real heroes.”

O’REILLY THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS
TELEVISION ADVISORY

Qualifying – May 17 – ESPN2
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. ET

NHRA Race Day – May 18 – ESPN2
11-11:30 a.m. ET

Eliminations – May 18 – ESPN2
6:30 – 10 p.m. ET