Super-Mini Rider Jon Ames Ready for Redemption at This Year's Monster Energy Cup
AURORA, Ill. (June 22, 2012) – Feld Motor Sports® announced today that Jon Ames, of Payson, Ariz., will race the Super-Mini Class at the second annual Monster Energy Cup at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium on October 20.
Ames, 15, raced at last year's Monster Energy Cup, finished 14-21 to close out the evening 19th overall. During the first Main Event, Ames was running second, however misfortune struck midway through the race when he collided with another rider and went down to surrender his position.
"Last year was a great building block for me," said Ames. "I wasn't really sure what to expect, so it was a little tricky getting adapted to the unique track. I started off great in the first race, but had a run in with another rider and finished 14th, instead of 2nd, where I was originally at. This year, I'm hoping to back up front."
He is one of 22 top Super-Mini riders at this year's event that will represent the next generation of racers as they compete on the world's biggest stage with 3.5 hours of live television coverage. Consisting of two, five-lap Main Events, the Super-Mini Class features the world's top Super-Mini racers.
"The Monster Energy Cup is a great event," said Ames. "I'm really excited to have been given the opportunity to race it again in Vegas. I'm going to start training much sooner this time around so that I'm ready to conquer that tough track."
Like most young racers, Ames has long looked up to Monster Energy Cup track designer Ricky Carmichael, a five-time Supercross Class Champion, and is excited to ride the track that he is going to create.
"I've always looked up to Ricky [Carmichael], so to have him back designing the track is really cool," added Ames. "With one of the sport's greatest racers working on the track layout, you know it's going to be tough, so I need to step up my training so I'm prepared."
The 2012 Monster Energy Cup features an all-new track design inspired by five-time Supercross Class Champion Ricky Carmichael. The Carmichael-inspired track design will consist of supercross and motocross obstacles unlike any other racetrack design in the world. More than 200' of the track will be built into the grandstands, and the riders exit the stadium and race through the Monster Energy Fan Zone outside of the stadium and through the pit area before they catapult back into the stadium. The Monster Energy Cup posts a $250,000 purse with the winner walking away with a $100,000 check, and any rider that wins all three Main Events will take home $1 million.
For more information on the Monster Energy Cup, log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305. To follow the Monster Energy Cup on Facebook and Twitter, log on to www.Facebook.com/VegasMECup and www.Twitter.com/VegasMECup.
Tickets for the 2012 Monster Energy Cup can be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office, UNLVtickets outlets, online at www.UNLVtickets.com, www.MonsterEnergyCup.com, or by phone at (702) 739-FANS. Tickets will be available at the Sam Boyd Stadium Box Office on the day of the event only.
About Feld Motor Sports®
Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz®, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world's largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com .