Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Tuesday Interview: Ohio's Nathan Skaggs

AURORA, Ill. (Jan. 2, 2008) – One of the surprises running up front during this year’s Toyota AMA Arenacross Series races has been Ohio’s Nathan Skaggs. After taking the AMA Arenacross Lites class victory on the opening night of Des Moines (Iowa), Skaggs hasn’t let up a bit, challenging every weekend for both Lites class and AMA Arenacross class wins. Skaggs is currently in 10th place overall in the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series standings and has accumulated 51 points towards his AMA Supercross Lites class license.

A true holeshot artist, Skaggs, running the Spinechillers Racing Honda CRF250R, has tapped on his late-season Buckeye State Motocross Championship Series expertise and parlayed it into what’s turning out to be a fine upstart year on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series.

We caught up with Skaggs to give us his take on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series season thus far.

Live Nation: Nathan, you’ve stepped up and have been running well on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series against one of the toughest fields the series has seen in years. What gives?

Skaggs: “I’m excited to get race the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series. There are some teams and riders with some big names and I just want to show that I can race with them.”

Live Nation: What did you do to prepare yourself for the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series season?

Skaggs: “My main sponsor has some business to do in Florida, so he brought me with him. I work part time, go to the gym, and I ride as much as possible. And thanks to Matt Georke for helping me out.”

Live Nation: It looks like you’ve been getting some rocket ship starts. Talk about the importance of pulling good starts in the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series.

Skaggs: “Starts in the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series are everything. My Spinechillers Racing Honda is really good, and seems to just keep getting better.”

Live Nation: What goals did you set for yourself prior to the start of the season and, at this point of the season, where do you figure you’ll wind up?

NS: “My goal coming in was to finish securely in the top 10, to help get more sponsors. I’m in 10th and very excited for January to come around. I want to move up the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series points ladder - and I want to win some races.”

Live Nation What are your plans for racing once the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series season wraps up?

NS: After arenacross, I’m going to ride the rest of the east Lites on the Monster Energy® Supercross.”

Live Nation: One last question. Are you any relation to Robbie Skaggs?

NS: No.

2007-’08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Point Standings
1.  Chad Johnson, Hon, 130
2.  Josh Demuth, Hon, 127
3.  Kelly Smith, Kaw, 117
4.  Jim Neese, Suz, 113
5.  Brock Sellards, Kaw, 111

Tickets for the Jan. 4-5 Toyota AMA Arenacross at the Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena are available through www.arenacross.com, at the Van Andel Arena Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (616) 456-3333. Fees and handling may apply. Show times are Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday (amateurs) at 12:00. Doors open Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday advance tickets are $17 to $20 for adults, $5 for kids ages 2-12. Sunday’s tickets are $17 for adults, $5 for kids.

Tickets for the Jan. 5 Toyota AMA Arenacross at Kansas City’s Kemper Arena are available through www.arenacross.com, at the Kemper Arena Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (816) 931-3330. Fees and handling may apply. Show times is Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday (amateurs) at 12:00. Doors open Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m. Saturday advance tickets are $20 to $25 for adults, $5 for kids ages 2-12. Sunday’s tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for kids.