AURORA, Ill. (Jan. 29, 2008) – After a wild weekend of racing in Louisville, Ky., the 2007-’08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series moves to Youngstown’s (Ohio) Chevrolet Centre for two nights (Feb. 1-2) of professional indoor arenacross racing between some of the world’s top racers competing in the country’s premier arenacross series. The same weekend the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series will also race in Hampton, Va., at the Hampton Coliseum – setting the stage for some interesting race strategy in terms of which racers will show up at what venue.
As to who ends up where, there are two guarantees: 1.) Toyota AMA Arenacross Series fans will witness the great racing the series is known for regardless of the venue and 2.) Bad Boy/TUF/Honda’s Chad Johnson is in the driver’s seat of the championship chase after his 1-1 performance at Louisville’s Broadbent Arena.
“CJ took it to the house,” said Toyota AMA Arenacross Series announcer Tim Cotter. “What we saw in Louisville was the difference between someone who’s won the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series title before (Chad Johnson) and someone who wants to win it really bad – Monster/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki’s Brock Sellards.
“Chad Johnson was very patient, smart and rode a well thought-out race in Louisville. Chad Johnson won the mental race as well as the main event.
With the 1-1 finish this past weekend Chad Johnson extended his lead to 25 points over Monster/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki racer Kelly Smith (282-257) and 28 points over Sellards (254) with seven rounds remaining on the tour, two of which are split race weekends.
“What that (25-point lead) means is that Chad Johnson can now afford to have a DNF and still have the points lead or a share of it,” added Cotter.
2007-’08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Point Standings (as of 1/24/08)
- Chad Johnson, Hon, 282
- Kelly Smith, Kaw, 257
- Brock Sellards, Kaw, 254
- Teddy Maier, Hon, 210
- Keith Johnson, Yam, 205
- Kevin Johnson, Yam 199
- Tommy Hofmaster, Yam, 167
- Jim Neese, Suz, 164
- Nathan Skaggs, Hon, 164
- Danny Smith, Hon, 149
Tickets for the Feb. 1-3 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series at the Hampton Coliseum are available through www.arenacross.com, at the Hampton Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone through Ticketmaster. Fees and handling may apply. Tickets are also available at Casey Cycle City in Newport News (Va.). Show time is Friday at Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday (amateurs) at noon. Doors open Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday advance tickets are $16 to $25 for adults, $5 for kids ages 2-12. Sunday’s tickets are $16 for adults, $5 for kids. All tickets $2 more day of show.
Tickets for the Feb. 1-3 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series at the Chevrolet Centre are available through www.arenacross.com, at the Chevrolet Centre Box Office, at select SPARKLE locations in Cochran, Columbiana, Cornersburg, Niles and Union Square, online at www.gettix.net Action Sports Cycles, Gollans Honda or charge by phone at 1-866-4GETTIX. Fees and handling may apply. Show time is Friday at Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday (amateurs) at noon. Doors open Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday advance tickets are $16 to $20 for adults, $5 for kids ages 2-12. Sunday’s tickets are $16 for adults, $5 for kids. All tickets $2 more day of show.