Press Release

Just Three Points Stand Between Gibson and Bowers as AMA Arenacross Series Heads to Louisville

ocscottie
2/9/2011 1:09pm

AURORA, Ill. (February 9, 2011) –
After a season-opening three-race tear to start the year, TUF Honda’s
Jeff Gibson finds himself in a battle for the Arenacross class points
lead as the AMA Arenacross Series heads to Louisville’s Freedom Hall
for its fifth round of the 2011 championship. Saturday night’s race
signifies the return of the AMA Arenacross Series for the first time
since 2009.

Last
weekend in Toledo, another strong two-night outing by Babbitt’s Monster
Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers, highlighted
by his second win of the season on Friday night, helped the Kentucky
native close to within just three points of his rival as the
championship heads to his home state.

While
his closest challenger took a win and runner-up finish, Gibson did what
he needed to, following just one spot behind Bowers on each night and
minimizing the damage to his points lead. Despite that, the entire
title chase is taking on a different outlook even just five weeks into
the 14-week season.

“Both
Jeff and Tyler are beginning to establish themselves as the elite
riders in the class,” said AMA Arenacross Series Director Jayme
Dalsing. “There have been several other riders that have engaged in
incredible battles to this point and four competitors in total have had
their chance in the spotlight atop the podium, but it’s consistency
that’s giving Gibson and Bowers the advantage.”

That
consistency, combined with a tough weekend from third-place holder Chad
Johnson, has widened the gap between the top two and the rest of the
field. After sixth and fourth-place efforts in Toledo, Johnson fell
from second in the points with a six-point deficit, to third and a
double-digit 15-point hole. Meanwhile, Gibson’s TUF Honda teammate Cole
Siebler added his name to the winners list with a first-career win.
Siebler has been one of the fastest riders in the class on several
occasions, but a lack of consistency currently has him outside of the
championship picture, 46-points out of the lead in sixth place, despite
the victory.

While
he may not be in the fight for the Arenacross class crown at this
point, Siebler’s win in addition to a season-best third-place result by

Foremost
Insurance/Spinechillers/HondaofFairfield.com’s Zach Ames shows that on
any given night, any rider has the chance to steal a victory. This
trend is expected to continue and with the likes of riders such as Gray
Davenport, Nathan Skaggs, Kevin Johnson and Kelly Smith, Arenacross
class main event wins are up for grabs, including on Saturday night. As
the rest of the field puts forth their challenges to the duo atop the
standings, the method in which Gibson and Bowers respond will be a
defining trait of the way the championship plays out.

The
Arenacross Lites Eastern Regional Championship will compete in its
fourth round of the 2011 season in Louisville. Privateer rider Adam
Gulley has been nothing short of a revelation, winning all but one of
the four races this season. The Missouri-born rider currently holds a
12-point lead in the standings.

Advance
tickets are available for this weekend’s Louisville Arenacross at the
Freedom Hall Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone and
ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 more the day of the race.

Arenacross Class Points (After Race 6 of 19)

  1. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda – 155
  2. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 152
  3. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 140
  4. Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki – 112
  5. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda – 112
  6. Cole Siebler, Emmett, Idaho, Ho            nda – 109
  7. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 89
  8. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Yamaha – 82
  9. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., Yamaha – 79
  10. Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki – 73

Arenacross Lites Class Eastern Regional Points (After Race 4 of 10)

  1. Adam Gulley, Jonesburg, Mo., Kawasaki – 95
  2. Patrick Massie, Washington Court, Ohio, Honda – 83
  3. Steve Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki – 64
  4. Tyler Sehr, Belleville, Ill., Honda – 54
  5. Austin Coon, Spencer, W.V., Honda – 53
  6. Kyle Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki – 40
  7. Scott Zont, Algonquin, Ill., Honda – 40
  8. Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda – 38
  9. Austin Primavera, Larue, Ohio, Suzuki – 30
  10. Maxx Malatia, Itasca, Ill., Kawasaki – 29

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
world’s largest producer of live family entertainment.  For more
information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

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