Press Release

Buckelew & Neese Go Toe-To-Toe In Toyota AMA Arenacross Action In Wilkes-Barre

Justin Buckelew (TUF Racing/Honda) wins opener at Wachovia Arena, Jim Neese (Carolina Xpress/Suzuki) takes second night

AURORA, Ill., (Feb. 27, 2007) – Though the 2006-’07 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series is over, Toyota AMA Arenacross racing is continuing to entertain motorsports fans across the country. This past weekend’s event showcased some of the best indoor motocross racing Pennsylvania has seen all year.

Wilkes-Barre’s Wachovia Arena was the site for an epic arenacross battle as AMA Arenacross Lites class racers Justin Buckelew (TUF Racing/Honda) and Jim Neese (Carolina Xpress/Suzuki) dropped the gloves and went at it hard both nights, splitting the two-race contest with equal 1-2 finishes on the weekend.

“You would have thought a title was on the line in this non-points race weekend,” said Robert Hansen, director of arenacross for Live Nation. “Neese and Buckelew going at it from start to finish on both nights. They will be talking about that one for a while in Wilkes-Barre – that’s for sure!”

On Friday Buckelew got out early and worked to put some distance between himself and the rest of the pack. Neese took a bit to get going in the AMA Arenacross class, but once he got his second wind, the North Carolinian tracked down the New Mexico native late in the race and passed him. The two changed leads numerous time before Neese made a mistake, went down and Buckelew took the win. Neese finished second and Ohio’s Patrick Massie finished third.

Preceding the AMA Arenacross class main event, Brad Modjewski topped local Damien Plotts to win the Lites class. Another local, Kevin Hoge (Pittsburgh), rounded out the podium in third overall.

Looking for redemption on Saturday night, Neese pulled the holeshot in a star-studded main event that also featured veteran Barry Carsten, Plotts, Jim Chester and Buckelew. In fact, Neese looked to have the race wrapped up early, but Buckelew put on an amazing charge. Neese had one more trick left up his sleeve, setting the younger Buckelew up and passing him on the outside of the bowl turn.

The Lites class had a wild one on Saturday night as well with the Plotts taking the checkers, followed by Massie and the Suzuki-mounted Cameron Lansing.

Hoge now has a commanding lead with one race remaining on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Eastern Lites schedule (Greenville, S.C., March 9-10).

Results
Arenacross Lites














Friday Saturday
1. Brad Modjewski, Yamaha

1. Damien Plotts, Kawasaki

2. Damien Plotts, Kawasaki

2. Patrick Massie, Kawasaki

3. Kevin Hoge, Suzuki

3. Cameron Lansing, Suzuki

4. Jim Chester, Suzuki

4. Barry Carsten, Suzuki

5. Barry Carsten, Suzuki

5. Brad Modjewski, Yamaha


Arenacross Class














Friday Saturday

1. Justin Buckelew, Honda

1. Jim Neese, Suzuki

2. Jim Neese, Suzuki

2. Justin Buckelew, Honda

3. Patrick Massie, Kawasaki

3. Brad Modjewski, Yamaha

4. Brad Modjewski, Yamaha

4. Kevin Hoge, Suzuki

5. Kevin Hoge, SuzukI

5. Cameron Lansing, Suzuki


For more information on the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.

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