AURORA, Ill. (Nov. 5, 2007) – Last year’s Toyota AMA Arenacross Rookie of the Year, Indiana’s Travis Sewell, is looking to improve upon his 13th place overall AMA Arenacross class finish, which included a 2nd place podium finish at the Pikeville (Ky.) round.
At Des Moines (Iowa) this past weekend Sewell didn’t quite get off to the start he’d have wished, primarily because the first time he threw a leg over his new Rusty Ott’s Pro Source-backed Suzuki RMZ-250 was at Friday’s first pro practice on the Wells Fargo Arena floor. From there Sewell got tossed into a sea of hungry Toyota AMA Arenacross Series racers and, unfortunately, wasn’t able to transfer to the main events.
But don’t count Sewell out too quickly. In fact, when we spoke with him on Monday he was on his way to friend and fellow racer Roy Horton’s private practice facility in Illinois to get in some hot laps before packing up and making the trek to Albany, N.Y., this weekend for round two of the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series at the Times Union Center.
Question: Travis, that was quite the loaded field at Des Moines. Four former Toyota AMA Arenacross Series champions in the field (Robbie Reynard, Josh Demuth, Chad Johnson and Danny Smith), guys like you and Tommy Hoffmaster didn’t even transfer to the main on Friday!
Travis Sewell: “It was not a good weekend. I just got my bike the Thursday before the race and didn’t get to ride until Friday practice. So I just wasn’t prepared. That and it’s basically a stock bike right now. We’ve got some work to do on it before Albany. But I like riding the 250 better.”
Question: You’re a RedBud local. How was it growing up at the MX Nationals’ premier track?
Travis Sewell: “It really just makes you that much better of a rider. RedBud is pretty much the toughest track in the United States, so that helps a lot.” Note: Sewell finished 21st in the Motocross class at this year’s National – his best finish there ever.
Question: Tell us about your team and sponsors this year for the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series tour.
Travis Sewell: “Well, it’s not really a team. It’s just me. Rusty Ott’s Pro Source in Morris, Ill., helps me out a lot. Then my other sponsors, along with my mom and dad, are Factory Connection, FMF, Bell, MSR, Scott, Dunlop, Decal Works, EVS, mxtime.com, Freese Discount and the rest of my family.”
Question: What’s your goals for the 2007-’08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series season?
Travis Sewell: “My main goal is to be ready for east coast supercross, do really well in that. Hopefully get a better motor and hit it hard after the December break here in Toyota AMA Arenacross Series. Everything came together late – like the day before the race. But I’m still thankful it came together.”
Question: Final question: Who’s got the best shot at winning the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Rookie of the Year award this year?
Travis Sewell: “I’m really not even sure who’s contending for that right now. Maybe Mike McDade (Friday’s Des Moines Lites winner). Other than that I’m not too sure. I know a lot of guys doing good already scored points last.”
Tickets for Nov. 10th Toyota AMA Arenacross at Times Union Center are available through www.arenacross.com, at the Times Union Center Ticket Office, by calling 800-30-EVENT or online at www.timesunioncenter-albany.com and at Seymour’s Suzuki. Fees and handling may apply. Discount coupons are available at Paesan’s Pizza (order in or delivery) and Albany Honda. Show times are Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday (amateurs) at 12:00. Doors open Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday advance tickets are $25 for Gold Circle, $18 regular seats. $2 more day of show. Kids 2-12 are $10/$25.
About Toyota AMA Arenacross Series
In its 24th year, the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series, owned by Live Nation, is the premier indoor motocross series in the U.S. playing to sold-out arenas nationwide. Information on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series events may be found at www.Arenacross.com. Live Nation is the world's largest live music company. Our mission is to inspire passion for live music around the world. We are the largest promoter of live concerts in the world, the second-largest entertainment venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. We create superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 160 venues, including House of Blues® music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London’s Wembley Arena. Our websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment/event websites in the United States, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2006, we connected nearly 60 million fans with their favorite performers at approximately 26,000 events in 18 countries around the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.” For more information regarding Live Nation and its businesses or concerts near you, please visit our website at www.livenation.com.
About AMA Racing
AMA Racing is the competition arm of the American Motorcyclist Association and is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its professional properties include the AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship, the AMA Supermoto Championship and the AMA Pro ATV Championship. In amateur and pro-am competition, AMA Racing sanctions over 4000 events in 24 different disciplines and supports over 110 thousand active members. For more information about professional racing, visit www.amaproracing.com. For amateur racing information visit www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/amasports.asp.
