After 15 rounds of Monster Energy® AMA Supercross,
an FIM World Championship, Honda’s Paul Carpenter, of Ithaca, N.Y.,
leads the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge (USSTC)
136-109 over Honda’s Heath Voss, of Mico, Texas. The U.S.
Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge awards a total of
$50,000 to the top three finishing privateers in AMA Supercross class
racing.
U. S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge
will award $25,000 to the top-finishing privateer, $15,000 to second
place and $10,000 to third place. This weekend Carpenter has a chance to
clinch the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge, which
is the coveted top privateer honor.
“The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer
Challenge recognizes those riders who succeed in the sport of supercross
without the benefit of major corporate sponsorship," said Matt
Wachtel, USSTC manager, one-on-one marketing. "Competing
week-in and week-out against top factory riders, these privateers
display exemplary dedication and fortitude, and we're proud to help
highlight their achievements."
“This bonus fund is huge to us privateers, and for a guy
like me who runs his own team, it helps pay the bills to keep the team
running,” said Carpenter. “I’d like to thank the U.S. Smokeless
Tobacco Company for giving the privateers such a great opportunity.”
The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Pro Privateer Challenge
saw Carpenter’s 31-point lead going into Detroit’s Ford Field
diminish to 22 points over Voss heading into St. Louis’ Edward Jones
Dome. It was a night to forget as Carpenter finished in 18th place,
which was his second worst finish of the season. Carpenter picked up
five points in St. Louis to bring his lead to 27 over Voss.
“This top privateer distinction is on my mind, and during
the last few races I’ve been racing to salvage my points lead,”
added Carpenter. “I kept crashing all night in Detroit and was not
very happy with my performance.”
Carpenter, who has qualified for every main event this
season, finished a season best in seventh place at Indianapolis’ RCA
Dome.
Last year David Vuillemin won top privateer honors aboard
his privateer Honda team.