Press Release

Competition is Closer Than Ever as AMA Arenacross Series Heads to Kansas City

ocscottie
1/10/2011 12:45pm

Gibson Holds Early Advantage Over Bowers and Johnson


 AURORA, Ill. (January 10, 2011) –
After months of hard work in the shop, on-track testing, and relentless
training, the highly-anticipated premier of the 2011 AMA Arenacross
Series championship was as captivating as advertised. After 25 laps of
bar-banging excitement, TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson stood above the rest
and made the first statement of the new season.


After
claiming the 2009 championship in his first full season in the AMA
Arenacross Series, Gibson experienced a frustrating 2010 season, going
winless en route to finishing fourth in the Arenacross class
championship. However, he put in a dedicated offseason program aimed at
regaining the magic he had two seasons ago and came out strong last
Saturday evening, fending off both Tyler Bowers and Chad Johnson of the
Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLube Kawasaki presented by Maxxis team.


While
Gibson’s win was a popular one amongst fans and members of the
industry, it was also a sign of the closeness of competition within the
AMA Arenacross Series. While both Bowers and Johnson, the preseason
favorites to win the title, rounded out the podium, Foremost
Insurance/Spinechillers/Honda Fairfield Racing’s Zach Ames followed in
fourth. Ames served as the only non-Babbitt’s rider to capture a win in
2010 and he kicked off 2011 where he left off. Ames’ teammate Skaggs
rounded out the top five.


“The
difference between the top riders is smaller than it’s ever been in the
AMA Arenacross Series,” said series director Jayme Dalsing. “Gibson’s
win in Tulsa is a sign of the potential parity the series could see
this season.”


Beyond
the top five, it was a promising debut for one of the series’ newest
teams in MainEventRock.com Honda. An impressive heat race win by Daniel
Blair looked as though a new name would be in the mix for the checkered
flag, but misfortune struck in the main event. After an early crash,
Blair soldiered home to a 14th-place result.


The
talent pool in the Arenacross class is deeper than ever, with
additional big names like Kelly Smith, Kevin Johnson and Robbie Reynard
littering the entry lists. Additionally, young up and coming riders
like former Arenacross Lites champions Dave Ginolfi and Daniel
Aulsaybrook are looking to make some noise in their rookie seasons on
the 450s.


This
weekend, the AMA Arenacross Series heads to Kansas City for round two
of the 2011 championship. Kemper Arena will play host to the world’s
fastest arenacross riders and the early championship picture is sure to
be shaken up.


Last
season in Kansas City, eventual champion Josh Demuth captured his first
win of 2010 en route to the title. The series’ most dominant figure at
that point, Tyler Bowers, suffered one of his worst outings of the
entire 2010 and allowed his teammate into the championship picture.


While
the Arenacross class title fight continues to take shape, the
Arenacross Lites Eastern Regional Championship will kick off its 2011
season. The future stars of the AMA Arenacross Series are fast and
exciting and will no doubt bring the Kansas City fans to their feet.


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


Arenacross Class Points (After Race 1 of 19)



  1. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda – 25

  2. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 22

  3. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 20

  4. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda – 18

  5. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 16

  6. Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki – 15

  7. Cole Siebler, Emmett, Idaho, Honda – 14

  8. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., Suzuki – 13

  9. Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki – 12

  10. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, Honda –11


Arenacross Lites Class Western Regional Points (After Race 1 of 10)



  1. Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki – 25

  2. Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki – 22

  3. Aviery Hickey, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki – 20

  4. Brian Alquist, Lagrange, Calif., Honda – 18

  5. Travis Smith, Lancaster, Calif., Yamaha – 16

  6. Tanner Moore, Auburn, Kan., KTM – 15

  7. Jeremy Huddleston, Eustace, Texas, KTM – 14

  8. Chase McGrath, Bennington, Neb., Honda – 13

  9. Travis Merrill, Fowler, Ill., KTM – 12

  10. Cody Doerfler, Peyton, Colo., Yamaha – 11


 


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 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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