Team Suzuki‰Ûªs Ricky Carmichael announced today that he will defend his 2005 title at the eighth-annual Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open at Las Vegas‰Ûª MGM Grand Garden Arena October 13-15.
For the first time in history Carmichael, who has won an unprecedented 15 AMA National championships, and James Stewart, who is the reigning Amp‰Ûªd Mobile World Supercross GP champion, will race against one another inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Carmichael has won three U.S. Open titles ‰ÛÒ more than any other rider in history ‰ÛÒ and is this year‰Ûªs defending champion. In last year‰Ûªs showdown Carmichael won both nights of racing, besting 2003 and 2004 champion Chad Reed.
"The U.S. Open is a special race for me," said Carmichael. "Last year when I won the U.S. Open, it capped off my best season ever as I won the World Supercross GP, AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross championships. There will be an exciting new format this year that offers all of us a chance to win a lot of Live Nation‰Ûªs money."
At 26, Carmichael has established himself as the world‰Ûªs greatest motocross racer with 15 AMA National championships. The Factory Suzuki rider won his fifth Amp‰Ûªd Mobile AMA Supercross championship in May and clinched his 10th AMA Motocross championship this summer.
2005 U.S. Open Final Standings
1) Ricky Carmichael
2) Michael Byrne
3) Kevin Windham
Past Champions
2005: Ricky Carmichael
2004: Chad Reed
2003: Chad Reed
2002: Mike LaRocco
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.
