Press Release

AMA Arenacross Series Interview of the Week: Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki’s Tyler Bowers


AURORA,
Ill. (February 10, 2011)
Last season, Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki presented by
Maxxis rider Tyler Bowers was the fastest competitor in the AMA
Arenacross Series. He posted nine wins and had a considerable points
lead in the Arenacross class championship only to suffer a
season-ending broken leg as the schedule drew to a close.

Watching
the title slip away was one of the hardest things Bowers has ever had
to deal with, and after months of rehab and endless hours of training,
he came into 2011 fully prepared to take care of some unfinished
business.

After
a slow start to kick off the 2011 AMA Arenacross Series, Bowers has
come on strong in the past two weeks, taking wins at both Denver and
Toledo. Now, he sits just three points out of the Arenacross class
points lead behind TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson and appears to be coming
into the similar form that was so dominant one year ago.

As
the championship heads to Louisville’s Freedom Hall this weekend,
Bowers, a Kentucky native from nearby Danville, is celebrating a bit of
a homecoming in his own right. With family and friends behind him, this
could be Bowers’ chance to take over the top spot in the championship.
We caught up with Tyler to see how his 2011 season has gone, and see
how difficult his recovery to get back to this level was to endure.

Tyler,
you got off to a bit of a slow start this season, but in the last
couple weeks you’ve come on strong. What has attributed to that?

“It’s
been a wild offseason for me. I broke my femur in March and I worked my
tail off just to be able to walk again this summer. So to come back
(riding), it was a real challenge to be able to control that big
motorcycle. At the tracks at the beginning of the season, I put a lot
of pressure on myself and I pushed a little too hard thinking I needed
to get going and get out to a quick start (to the season). I was making
mistakes more than anything.”

“After
two rounds of that, I decided I was going to have some fun so I went to
Dayton and just enjoyed myself. It worked out pretty good. I had some
bad luck that was out of my control, but I was able to come back up to
fourth without getting tired. That ended up being a real confidence
booster for me.”

“From
there I realized that I was putting too much into my training during
the week and was wearing myself out so I just took a step back and
tried to enjoy myself. My team and I went back to the basics and just
got back into the mindset of riding my dirt bike because I love it and
enjoy it.”

“In
Denver I knew I was the fastest guy out on the track because I’ve had
the fastest lap times every weekend. I knew that no matter what
happened (in the race) I could get to the front. In the main, I got a
pretty good start and moved into third and started battling with (Jeff
Gibson). I ended up falling, but caught up to Gibby again, which was a
huge confidence booster. Everything just seemed to be clicking that
night and I was happy to come out with a win. I’ve put so much pressure
on myself this season and it’s good to know that all the hard work is
starting to pay off.”

Would you say the competition this year is a lot deeper and tougher than it was last season?

“I
don’t know. It’s always tough and it for sure gets tougher when
everyone’s healthy. I know a lot of guys have put in a lot of hard work
to get to the front and its showing. (Gray) Davenport is one of those
guys, coming on board with the Babbitt’s team. He’s had a good program
for years and now he’s getting a good chance and his confidence is up
there. Cole Siebler was also brought in (by TUF Honda). I’ve known him
for a long time and it’s good to see him riding well. There’s a few
other guys that have put together good programs too, like Dano
Aulsaybrook, who’s a really fast young rider. I’ve been impressed with
him this season.”

You mentioned coming back from your broken leg. How hard has it been to come back from that?

“It
was hard, but it all worked out for the better. (Last season) I got a
little burnt out. It was just non-stop on the grind, at the gym and at
the track every day. You just start thinking, this is great and all and
I love riding my dirt bike, but this is a lot work right now.
But after being unable to do anything for three-and-a-half months, I
realized there isn’t anything I’d rather do than race dirt
bikes for a living. I put a lot of work into training and the gym this
summer, in addition to a lot of physical therapy to get ready to go and
I’d say I’m only about 75 percent right now. I’m just willing to put in
the work and do what I need to do each week. I’m feeling confident on
the bike right now.”

How do you feel about coming home to Kentucky this weekend and racing in Louisville?

“I
love it. I’ve always loved it. I grew up racing (the Louisville
Arenacross) a lot as a kid during the winters (in Kentucky). It’s
always been one of my favorite rounds and it has a bigger floor space,
plus it’s close to home so I enjoy going back. I’m excited about it
this weekend. I’ve been staying out in California during the week, but
now I get to go home and sort of hang out. I haven’t been here in about
three-and-a-half to four months. I have a lot of family and friends
there to hang out with and we’re just going to keep everything
positive.”

You’re
a little bit closer to Jeff Gibson now in the championship, just three
points out of first. What are you looking to do this weekend and the
rest of the season?

“Just
keep riding smart. I love winning and I hate losing, so I want to get
some wins out of this deal, but I need to get that championship. I was
able to close in the points this past weekend, but Jeff (Gibson) is a
great rider and a great racer. He’s been a top contender in the series
so far this season so it’s not going to be easy. He hasn’t really had a
bad weekend yet and I haven’t either. It’s a long season and it’ll play
out in time, but I’m going to do everything I can.”

Round
six of the 2011 AMA Arenacross Series kicks off in just a few days from
the Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, February 12 starting
at 7:00 p.m. ET!

New
for 2011! Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross
Series. To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com.  For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short at brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or 949-365-5750.

Never miss out on the latest news! Follow the AMA Arenacross Series on Facebook and Twitter! Log on to http://www.facebook.com/AMAarenacross and http://twitter.com/arenacross today!

 

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
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information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

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