Stewart Wins; Bridgestone Stays Unbeaten

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – James Stewart won the headline event in Monster Energy AMA Supercross competition this weekend in San Diego and Ryan Dungey captured the Supercross Lites race, as Bridgestone riders kept their perfect winning record intact for 2009.

Stewart (Team San Manuel / JSE Yamaha) raced to the Supercross victory for the sixth straight week, and for the sixth straight time beat fellow Bridgestone rider Chad Reed (Rockstar / Makita Suzuki) to the finish line. Stewart was quick to commend his Bridgestone tires for their pivotal role in the win. “Tonight it was all about the Bridgestones,” Stewart said. “My M604 rear (tire) in the 120/80-19 size was perfect. I can’t say enough how much confidence I had in my tires tonight.”
The triumph at Qualcomm Stadium allowed Stewart to tie Reed for the championship lead with 152 points after seven of 17 events. The Bridgestone duo holds a 30-point advantage over their nearest competitor.

Dungey (Rockstar / Makita Suzuki) led every lap of the Supercross Lites main to collect his third victory of the Western Regional season. He bested Monster Energy / Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammates Ryan Morais and Jake Weimer, who finished 2-3 to give Bridgestone the Lites podium sweep. “My Bridgestone tires were awesome tonight,” said Dungey, echoing Stewart’s comments. “The new M603 front in the 90/100-21 size gave me the confidence to drive hard into the turns. That tire really sticks!”

Dungey also reclaimed the Western Regional championship lead by two points over Weimer, with Morais 11 off the pace in third. With the series moving east for the next seven weeks, the Western Regional competitors will be on hiatus until April 18.
Despite the continued success for Bridgestone riders, it has not been easy. Doug Schopinsky, who oversees Bridgestone tire development for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, said the San Diego track conditions were particularly difficult to dial in. “The short lap times and slippery soil conditions due to the moist cool night air really made starts the key tonight,” Schopinsky said. “The Bridgestone-fitted riders gated well at this challenging track, leading every lap in both classes. We made a few adjustments after the heat races and I'm really pleased with the results.”

AMA Supercross and Eastern Regional Supercross Lites return to action this Saturday at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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.