Deluge Sport Drink’s Paul Carpenter is Privateer of the Year

Carpenter sends out a big “Thanks” to everyone at Deluge from the podium at a packed Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas for the Monster/AMA SX finals

CORONA, Calif., (May 8, 2008) – Deluge Sport Drink’s Paul Carpenter (Atomic Racing/Honda/Fox Racing) set out this year to be the top privateer on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series tour – a feat he accomplished a week ago and was rewarded for this past Saturday night at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium.

Carpenter, who finished 10th overall in the premier AMA Supercross class with 145 points, brought his Honda CRF450R home to a respectable 12th place finish at Vegas. On the year Carpenter scored four top ten finishes, including a season-best 7th overall in the SX class main event at Indianapolis’ RCA Dome.

As the top privateer, Carpenter got generous check for $25,000 from the good folks at Smokeless Tobacco, along with the bragging rights that go along with producing results with finite assistance from the factory.

“I can’t thank everybody enough,” said Carpenter from the Vegas podium. “I rode my heart out week in and week out and I’m glad to be up here. It was my goal at the beginning of the year to be the top privateer – and I made it.

“Than you, Deluge, very much for supporting me.”

Said Deluge Sport Drink’s Jon Bratta: “Paul Carpenter exemplifies what’s best about the sport of motocross. He worked extremely hard not only with his own racing, but in putting together a team – Atomic Racing/Honda – that Deluge Sport Drink was very proud to be part of. 

Paul sets a fine example for young racers and we wish him the best of luck at the Nationals. It’s supposed to be hot, so Deluge Sport Drink will be sure to keep the Atomic Racing/Honda team well-hydrated throughout the summer.”

Also capping off the season on a high note for Deluge Sport Drink was Justin Brayton (MDK/KTM). Brayton had probably as spectacular a night as anyone at Vegas, albeit a under-publicized one as he raced all the way back from dead last to 6th place in the Lites class main event.

“Justin’s ride was amazing to say the least,” added Bratta, noting again his last-to-sixth effort was against the world’s best Lites class racers. “His never-say-die attitude and willingness to push hard through the end typifies what Deluge Sport Drink stands for in action sports. We’ve only had Justin aboard for a few short weeks and couldn’t be more pleased with his results. Like Paul, we look forward to following Justin this summer when he contests the Nationals for the MDK/KTM team.”

Next up for Deluge Sport Drink’s Carpenter and Brayton is the opening round of the AMA Outdoor Nationals, May 25th, at Glen Helen (San Bernardino, Calif.).