San Manuel Yamaha Race Report: SLC

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 3rd, 2010) - The 16th round of the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, took place Saturday night with frigid, rainy and even snowy conditions. Team San Manuel's Josh Hill posted fast qualifying times in practice before a packed Rice-Eccles Stadium of 38,882.  Despite a 19th place finish, Hill still maintains a fifth place spot in the overall championship race with 229 points.   Teammate and current series Champ, James Stewart, has not yet been cleared to ride and remains under doctor's care - continuing rehab and physical therapy on his right wrist.

After a decent practice, a rough start in Heat Race 2 had Hill finishing 9th place for the direct transfer to the evening's Main event.  In the Main, once again, a tough gate pick made it hard for Hill to get the start he needed to stay ahead and upright on an extremely muddy and challenging track. While he started the Main among the Top 10 riders, an early slip up on the track had him dropping to the back.  Despite the challenges and less than desirable track conditions, Hill pushed through finishing the 20-lap race 19th.  With the series' 2010 season finale taking place, next week in Las Vegas, riders continue to battle for every spot; Hill's finish keeps him fifth in the overall championship points race.

Another difficult race for Hill, he had this to say afterwards, "I can't believe the season is practically over. This year has been a great learning experience for me.  Despite the challenges, I've had some of the best races of my pro career this season.  I am looking forward to Las Vegas this weekend and hope to finish the season on a high note. Thanks again to my entire team and everyone at San Manuel and all of my awesome sponsors."

Team Manuel Yamaha Highlights / Salt Lake City, UT - Round 16 -
James Stewart - Did Not Race
Josh Hill Race Finish - 19th 
Josh Hill - Heat Race 2   
James Stewart - Season to Date:  1 win; 1-3rd; 1-15th 
Josh Hill - Season to Date: 4-2nd; 1-3rd; 1-5th; 4-6th; 2-9th; 1-10th; 1-13th; 2-19th 
James Stewart - Championship Points - 51
Josh Hill - Championship Points - 229

About Team San Manuel
     Team San Manuel is a unique partnership between the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and L&M Racing, LLC, with the sole purpose of reaching out to Native and non-Native communities and sharing with them the value of perseverance and dedication.  Building a winning team comprised of top-notch talent and community service, Team San Manuel honors the Serrano belief of caring for our community.

About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
     The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, California.  The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture.  The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign nation with the right of self-government.  Despite challenges and hardships, the San Manuel tribal community has continued to progressively maintain and enhance its unique form of government - focusing all efforts on providing a better quality of life for its citizens.  Through economic diversification, both on and off the reservation, the tribe has been forward thinking in its efforts to build infrastructure, maintain civil services and promote social, economic, educational and governmental units including the departments of fire, public safety, education and environment and continues to pursue opportunities for future generations.

About L & M Racing
     L&M Racing was formed in 2006 by Owner/Team Manager Larry Brooks and partner Mike Kranyak.  Operating as Team San Manuel Yamaha, this illustrious team has garnered 2 Supercross Championship titles in just three professional race seasons. For the 2010 race season, 2009 Supercross Champion James Stewart anchors Team San Manuel as he vehemently defends his title and is joined by 2008 Supercross Rookie of the Year Josh Hill.  In 2009, Team San Manuel's James Stewart won his second Supercross Championship, his first coming in 2007, and second for L&M Racing's independent effort.  Rookie Kyle Chisholm rounded out Team San Manuel's 2009 team.  In 2008 team, Team San Manuel Yamaha, consisted of 2004 Supercross Champion Chad Reed and former West Coast Lites Champion Nathan Ramsey -- the newly-formed endeavor garnered its first championship title that season.  Led by Larry Brooks, the driving force behind the Jeremy McGrath / Chaparral Racing team's three-year championship reign in Supercross, Brooks' then race effort yielded the first and only indie team to ever win an AMA Supercross Series Championship.  L&M Racing is headquartered within an 8,000 square foot, state-of-the-art race facility in Southern California and is one of the most successful independently owned and operated teams in professional Supercross racing today.
Next Race - 2010 Supercross Season Finale
May 8th  - SAM BOYD STADIUM - Las Vegas, NV

Television Coverage Schedule
SPEED - 5/8/10 10:00 PM ET; Monster Energy Supercross Racing                           
SPEED - 5/9/10 1:30 AM ET; Monster Energy Supercross Racing
CBS - 5/9/10 6:00 PM ET; Monster Energy Supercross Racing