CARLSBAD, Calif., (Sept. 15, 2006) - Monster Energy-backed SCORE off- road truck series racer Alan Pflueger was looking to improve upon his 4th place finish last year in Nevada`s Primm 300 - but an early race flat tire, compounded by several additional mechanical issues would relegate the high-powered trophy truck effort to 7th overall in this past weekend`s contest.

"The Primm was a tough character-building day for me, Mike (Emerson) and the whole Monster Energy/Pflueger Racing trophy truck team,"
said Pflueger. "We had a great start and took the lead early, only to run into trouble on the course. My team rarely gets to work on our truck race day and they for sure got their chance to shine during the Primm. And while we all want a perfect race and spot atop the podium, those times you remember as the `easy days.` It`s the tough days like we experienced this past weekend that build the true character of a team, and I feel the Monster Energy/Pflueger Racing trophy truck team is the BEST team in the desert."

Orchestrating the team effort from the sidelines was about as difficult this past weekend as driving the wounded truck as Monster Energy/Pflueger Racing`s John Hoffman explained.

"We started out on the first lap with a flat tire. Then, when we were looking for a place to pull of and fix it, we ended up high- centering the truck and broke a wheel," said Hoffman, team manager of the Monster Energy/Pfleuger Racing trophy truck.

Roughly two miles after the flat the Monster Energy truck would suffer another setback, this time a power steering belt would be the culprit. Forty-five minutes in the pits to change and Pflueger and the team were back on track and making up precious time.

"Things were going well, or at least we thought, then Alan radioed in that he needed to pit again," said Hoffman. "And this time we had to change two drive shafts."

With the action focused on the pits rather than on the course, fans attending the event got a chance to see the entire Monster Energy off- road program in action as they aggressively wrenched on the wounded trophy truck - sweat, greased clothing and bloodied knuckles signifying the effort of what it takes to keep on of these desert behemoths running as the great truck powered back out onto the course.

"The truck had taken a beating and this really showed how hard the Monster Energy off-road team works as a unit to make things right and keep Alan in the race," said Hoffman. "Despite the adversity we fought back hard and Alan was able to make it back in to the finish line - in complete darkness - despite losing an alternator and our headlights.

"Our 7th place overall finish does not tell the tale of how hard our team members worked this past weekend."

Added team navigator Mike Emerson, who had to direct Pflueger through the darkness - with no headlights - at the race`s end: "One of the toughest races I`ve ever been involved with in my 13 years of racing. The Primm course has been so demanding and physically rough, that it took a complete team effort to help Alan gain the every spot possible in order to pick up the valuable points that we need to gain the championship."

Currently the Monster Energy/Pflueger Racing Team is in contention for 3rd place only being one point away. The team is prepping for the next race to take advantage of the slim points difference between the top 3 overall.

Next up for the Monster Energy SCORE trophy truck program is the season finale - Baja to LaPaz - the Nov. 16-17 running of the Baja 1000. Last year Pflueger finished 2nd at the event and is looking to stand atop the podium this year.

"1050 miles down in Baja in November," says Pflueger. "Bring it on because I`ll have my Monster Energy army in tow the whole way!"

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it off-road, motocross, surf, skate, snow, BMX - name it - the athletes are rockin` Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors - Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called "Khaos." Alan Pflueger digs `em - so will you. On the `Net at www.monsterenergy.com.