American presented by Advance Auto Parts

Second Bassmaster Major, site of the 2004 CITGO Bassmaster Classic, offers $250,000 top prize

 CELEBRATION, Fla. — With the conclusion of this week's CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series' Champion's Choice in New York, BASS has finalized the 55-angler field for the second Bassmaster Major, the Bassmaster American presented by Advance Auto Parts, on Lake Wylie in Charlotte, N.C., July 27-30.

 Going into the Champion's Choice — the ninth Elite Series event of the season — only three anglers had cemented their status as Majors participants: 2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic champ Kevin VanDam, 2005 CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens and 2005 Toyota Rookie of the Year Dave Wolak, who qualified on the merit of their previous achievements.

 Now the complete field is highlighted by four foreign nationals in the no-entry fee, high stakes tournament, including 2004 CITGO Bassmaster Classic champion Takahiro Omori. Joining him are fellow Japanese anglers Morizo Shimizu (37th); Kotaro Kiriyama (38th); and Yusuke Miyazaki (39th), based on their three-year combined CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.

 Omori's sole Classic win came on Lake Wylie two years ago. Held at a similar time as the Major, Omori said the lake could produce familiar results, but he will be mindful to not rely on old patterns and instead, look for new water.

 "Every time, the fish can be totally different," said Omori, who qualified by being 10th on BASS' list of all-time active money winners. "I need to approach it like a

brand new tournament and stay calm."

 Peter Thliveros of Jacksonville, Fla., won the first Major and now qualifies for the Bassmaster American by being BASS' sixth all-time active money winner. With the excitement of a historic win, Thliveros is prepared for a back-to-back performance. "It was an incredible feeling to win the first Major," he said.

Anglers will fish both the north and south ends of Lake Wylie on Days 1 and 2 and then fish a marked off, six-hole course on Wylie's mid-lake area on Days 3 and 4. Anglers also will fish from their own wrapped boats on all four days of competition, offering unmatched exposure for their sponsors and individual brands.

Forty anglers qualified for the Bassmaster American based on three-year combined Angler of the Year standings. Also qualifying are the top 10 active anglers from the BASS all-time money list. Once again, Steve Kennedy is currently leading the Toyota Rookie of the Year race and qualifies as well. Also qualifying under an exemption is Mark Menendez.

The American is in honor of the late Bryan Kerchal — BASS' first and only Federation Nation angler to win the coveted CITGO Bassmaster Classic.

 A complete list of qualifying anglers is below.

 Additionally, www.Bassmaster.com will have complete coverage, a real-time leaderboard, live video of the weigh-ins and on-the-water live chats with anglers powered by Mobile ESPN.

 Daily tournament launches begin at 6:50 a.m. and weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m. ET, July 27-30. The final day's weigh-in will include same-day coverage on ESPN2, July 30 at 7 p.m. ET.

 2006 American qualifiers

2005 Classic Champion: Kevin VanDam

2005 Angler of the Year: Aaron Martens

2005 Rookie of the Year: David Wolak

2006 Rookie of the Year Leader: Steve Kennedy

Previous Announcement: Mark Menendez

Top 10 All Time Money:

Place — Angler — Winnings

1. Denny Brauer — $2,077,751.71

2. Rick Clunn — $1,761,244.53

3. Gary Klein — $1,417,774.97

4. Shaw Grigsby, Jr — $1,338,505.23

5. Davy Hite — $1,246,400.00

6. Peter Thliveros — $1,191,439.00 7. Zell Rowland — $1,079,265.90

8. Michael Iaconelli — $1,046,579.00

9. Tommy Biffle — $1,027,478.80

10. Takahiro Omori — $988,593.00

 Top 40 2004, 2005, 2006 Angler of the Year Combined Standings:

 Place — Angler — Total

 1. Greg Hackney — 17

 2. Skeet Reese — 31

 3. Edwin Evers — 50

 4. Kevin Wirth — 51

 5. Timmy Horton — 58

 6. Gerald Swindle — 68

 7. Terry Scroggins — 74

 8. Mark Tucker — 78

9. Marty Stone — 81

 10. Brent Chapman — 87

 11. Kelly Jordon — 89

 12. Jason Quinn — 91

 12. Bernie Schultz — 91

 12. Dean Rojas — 91

 15. Lee Bailey — 104

 16. Scott Rook — 116

 17. Jeff Reynolds — 123

 18. Ishama Monroe — 131

 19. John Crews — 135

 20. Brian Snowden — 136

 21. Alton Jones — 137

22. Mike McClelland — 138 

23. Matt Reed — 146

 24. Mike Wurm — 147

 24. Jeff Kriet — 147

 24. Paul Elias — 147

 27. Jimmy Mize — 150

 28. Chad Brauer — 157

 29. Mark Tyler — 162

 30. Randy Howell — 168

31. Kenyon Hill — 169

 32. Mike Reynolds — 175

 33. Guy Eaker — 190

34. John Murray — 191

 35. Todd Faircloth — 197

36. Charlie Hartley — 201

 37. Morizo Shimizu — 216

38. Kotaro Kiriyama — 238

 39. Yusuke Miyazaki — 243

 40. Stephen Browning — 246

Local sponsors include the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission.

 Sponsors of the Bassmaster Majors include CITGO Petroleum Corp., Toyota, Busch Beer, Purolator, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide, Advance Auto Parts and Theraseed®.