From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

James ‘Bubba’ Stewart To Make Daytona Debut In Inaugural Nighttime Running Of The Daytona Supercross By Honda

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (March 2, 2004) — This year’s Daytona Supercross By Honda at historic Daytona International Speedway will mark two debuts.

For the first time in event history, the 34th Daytona Supercross By Honda will be held under the lights on Friday night, March 5. The Daytona Supercross By Honda has traditionally been held on a Saturday afternoon in the tri-oval grass.

The Daytona Supercross By Honda also marks the much-anticipated debut of rising Supercross star James “Bubba” Stewart at Daytona International Speedway in the 125 East race.

The 18-year-old racing star from the Central Florida community of Haines City is considered the fastest rising star in the sport. He’s looking forward to racing for the first time at Daytona International Speedway and will most likely have a legion of friends and family at the race.

“Everybody and their brother are calling me asking for tickets to Daytona,” said Stewart, who’ll be riding a Kawasaki. “I told them they’re on their own. I can barely get in the place myself.”

Another major twist in the Daytona Supercross By Honda is the absence of Honda rider Ricky Carmichael, who has won the last four Daytona Supercross By Hondas. The three-time AMA THQ Supercross Series champion had knee surgery this winter and is sitting out the entire season.

But Carmichael will be attending the Daytona Supercross By Honda. He’ll serve as Grand Marshal and will make an appearance in the Classic Cycle Club, the Speedway fan hospitality package.

With Carmichael not competing, the 20-lap 250 main event should be wide open.

Chad Reed is hoping to give Yamaha its first win in the Daytona Supercross since the legendary Jeremy McGrath won on a Yamaha in 1999. Other race favorites include Kevin Windham, Mike LaRocco and David Vuillemin.

Travis Pastrana could throw another twist into the 250 main event. Suzuki Team Manager Roger DeCoster confirmed Tuesday that Travis Pastrana is testing in Florida, and could race in the 250 class at Daytona. The determination if he will race will be made based on how Pastrana feels after testing. It would mark Pastrana’s comeback after suffering a reoccurring knee injury almost a year ago.

The Supercross schedule on Friday begins at 3 p.m. with qualifying heats. The 125cc main event, a 15-lap race, is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. followed by the main 250cc race at 10 p.m.

Fans will have a new way to watch all the high-flying Supercross action. With the new “$10 “Track Side Add-On ticket,” fans can watch all of the race from the Speedway’s banked tri-oval. You must purchase the Track Side Add-on Ticket ($10) in addition to a General Admission Grandstand Ticket ($30) or another admission ticket.

Tickets for the inaugural Daytona Supercross By Honda are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.



More, from a press release issued by Clear Channel Entertainment–Motor Sports:

Travis Pastrana Enters THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series Race in St. Louis

AURORA, Ill. (March 2, 2004) – Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division announced today that Suzuki-backed Travis Pastrana will race in the 250cc division of THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis March 13.

Pastrana, the 2000 125cc outdoor motocross champion and 2001 125cc Eastern Regional Supercross champion, has taken some time off of racing to heal some nagging injuries and is now ready to challenge series hot shoes Chad Reed and Kevin Windham.

“March 13 will be one of the first races of the season for Travis Pastrana and the fans are very excited to see him,” said Anita Helmin, director of marketing, Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports. “Travis is definitely a fan favorite and they have been anxiously waiting for him to get back on the track.”

“I am truly excited to be racing in St. Louis,” said Pastrana. “I have never lost a race in St. Louis, and I plan on having equal success this year. I have been training for the past few months and feel that I am ready to put on a great show for the fans of St. Louis.”

The winner of seven 125cc supercross races since his professional career began in 2000, Pastrana has made it to the podium three times in the 250cc class.

Tickets for the St. Louis race of THQ World Supercross GP/AMA Supercross Series are available at the Edward Jones Dome, www.sxgp.com , www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (314) 241-1888.