Progressive Direct to Sponsor Holeshot Award at the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open

AURORA, Ill. (August 18, 2006) – The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open today announced that Progressive Direct® will be the official sponsor of the holeshot award. The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open takes place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena October 13-14, featuring the world’s top motocross racers.

Progressive Direct, which sponsored the holeshot award in the 2006 Amp’d Mobile Supercross season, extends its involvement in indoor off-road motorcycle racing as they support this year’s Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open.

“This sponsorship is a great opportunity to increase awareness of all our products with an ever-growing audience of motocross enthusiasts.  Whether you’ve got a car, pickup truck or dirt bike, we make it easy to shop for, buy and own insurance,” said Miriam Deitcher, advertising manager, Progressive Direct.  “Rewarding the rider who gets the early lead in the main event is a perfect fit for Progressive Direct since we’ve been leading the way in insurance innovation for years.”

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 Rock Star 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.