Bridgestone-shod Riders Continue to Post Wins at Phoenix Supercross

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 12, 2009) – Bridgestone-shod riders again filled five of six podium positions, including first-place finishes in both classes, at Saturday’s second round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series in Phoenix, Ariz.

As expected, the battle between reigning Supercross champion Chad Reed and former Supercross and reigning Motocross champion James Stewart, both riding on Bridgestone brand tires, continued in the Supercross event. Reed and Stewart showed from practice and qualifying lap times that they were the clear favorites for the win.

Stewart, riding the San Manuel/JSE Yamaha, led all 20 laps at the Chase Field stadium Main event en route to his first victory of the 2009 season. Afterward, he credited his Bridgestone tires. “The Phoenix round soil and track layout was the perfect fit for the M603 90/100-21 front tire,” said Stewart. “Overall, I was comfortable with my tires performance and very happy to get the win tonight.” Reed, aboard the Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki, finished just 0.591 of a second behind Stewart in second, with Joshua Grant (Joe Gibbs Racing) completing the Bridgestone podium sweep in Supercross.

Round two of the West coast Supercross Lites series championship saw Ryan Dungey, riding a Bridgestone-shod Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki, take the checkers and move into the points lead. “Starts are so important in this competitive class and my M604 rear tire put me in position to win the race,” said Dungey. “The challenging soil conditions made me realize just how confident I was with my Bridgestones’ traction tonight.”

Ryan Morais (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) placed third in Supercross Lites. Doug Schopinsky, who oversees Bridgestone tire development for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, said, “Our new tire sizes specifically designed for today’s four-stroke machines really tamed the slippery Phoenix soil. We have really focused our new M603/M604 product line on consistent traction and performance, helping Bridgestone-supported riders reach the top step of the podium in both classes tonight.“

Schopinsky added, “As the series travels back to Anaheim, Calif., for round 3 and familiar soil conditions, we hope to build on the early season momentum and continue our winning ways.”

About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.