AURORA, Ill. (September 29, 2008) – The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open announced today that Honda’s Ivan Tedesco has been added to the growing  ‘who’s-who list’ of the world’s top supercross racers that will compete at this year’s race inside Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena October 10-12.

 

Tedesco, of Tallahassee, Fla., is a two-time Regional AMA Supercross Lites champion and AMA Motocross Lites champion. He competed in the 2002 Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open, finishing fifth overall as a Lites-class rider. His only other Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open appearance was in 2006, where he finished seventh.

 

“The last time I rode the U.S. Open I did ok,” said Tedesco. “It’s a cool event with the hotel and track all in the one venue. There is always a good atmosphere and it’s a good time.”

 

He made his move into the premier AMA Supercross class in 2006. Since joining the premier class, Tedesco finished fourth in 2006 and fifth in 2007. His 2008 AMA Supercross campaign was hindered by an injury that forced him to miss most of the season, but he’s ready to race again.

 

“I am 100%. I am so ready to race and ready to battle for the win!”

 

Traditionally, the winner of the Rockstar Energy U.S. Open has not entered the race as the odds-on favorite. Damon Huffman, Jeff Emig, Mike LaRocco and Grant Langston claimed titles at the U.S. Open and were not the odds-on favorite coming into the weekend.

 

“Langston finished 5-2 last year, so being consistent and getting good starts could clinch the deal for any rider,” said Tedesco. “Langston didn’t have good odds last year, and my odds aren’t that great, so it might be worth throwing a few dollars on me. It is run over two nights; you have to be consistent. You have to do your best to stay out of trouble it’s a very tight track and hard to pass on.”

 

The $250,000 Trifecta bonus program is added incentive for Tedesco to win his first Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open.

 

“The $250,000 is an incentive for anyone to throw it all on the line,” he said. “If I win, I’m going throw it on black on the roulette table.”

 

Tedesco joins the impressive line-up of racers competing in this year’s Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open, including defending AMA Supercross class champion Chad Reed, former AMA Supercross class champion James Stewart, two-time defending Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout winner Ryan Dungey, Honda’s Andrew Short and Yamaha’s Josh Hill.

 

Tickets are now available for the 10^th 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.