Jim Neese Captures Toyota AMA Arenacross Win in Wheeling, WV

Daniel Blair of Eternal Industries chalked up a win in Lites Class

Aurora, Ill. February 9, 2007 - The Toyota AMA Arenacross Series was back in action tonight in Wheeling, West Virginia.  The air temperature outside the Wesbanco Arena was in the single digits, but the racing action inside heated up a very lively motocross crowd.  Tonight was billed as the “United Way” night by local TV Station channel 7. Spectators brought in can goods to donate the United Way as a part of their admission, and Toyota also had their new full-size, 381 horsepower Toyota Tundra, on location, for the crowd to get a glance at!  Rolling on to racing, beginning with the Lites Class…Daniel Blair, who rides for Eternal Industries, chalked up a win, in which he went wire - to red flag - to wire.  Let me explain, Blair holeshotted and led for six laps before the “dreaded red” came out for Joey Zambotti, who was injured on the landing of the catapult.  With only six laps complete, chief referee, Ron Whipple, made the decision for a restart in the order the riders were in on the last completed lap.  On the restart, Blair once again, jumped out to the lead and held on for the win, behind him were Brad Modjewski and Jim Neese, who traded paint after the restart but lap traffic got the best of Neese, and Modjewski was able to nail down a solid second place finish.

In the Arenacross Class, Danny Smith, Tuff Racing, was the points leader coming into the program this evening, however, it was his teammate Justin Buckelew who stole the holeshot, after a pileup in turn one.  Smith came out in sixth place on lap one and had to work through the pack for his second place finish.  Meanwhile, Carolina Express pilot, Jim Neese quietly stayed in second place until the latter laps where he was able to get by Buckelew and bring Smith with him.  Neese, Smith, and Buckelew stood on the podium when the dust settled.

This was our first time in Wheeling and everything was great!  Props to Stephen Gretchen, who won the 65cc main event and Mike Julian, who won the US Air Force Jump-Off Competition! 

The Toyota AMA Arenacross will continue tomorrow night at the Wesbanco Arena at 7:30 PM.

Tickets are available online at www.arenacross.com, www.ticketmaster.com, www.tickets.com. For more information on the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.