Demuth Holds Off Late Challenge for Big Win on Friday in Des Moines

Willard Impresses with Lites Victory and Premier Class Runner-up

AURORA, Ill. (November 7, 2008) – The excitement of AMA Arenacross filled the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday night as two-time series champion Josh Demuth, of North Richland Hills, Texas, took the win in his first race for the defending AMA Arenacross Series championship team of Tuf Honda. Michael Willard, of Thornville, Ohio, took the win in AMA Arenacross Lites aboard a Honda.


The annual race from Des Moines is a stand-alone race and is not part of the 2009 AMA Arenacross Series.


Demuth, who won on Friday night last year at Wells Fargo Arena, moved up front early and built a comfortable lead over the field. As the 25-lap main event reached the halfway point, Willard, who participated in both classes, began a late-race charge. As the duo came to the white flag, Willard attempted an aggressive pass, but was unable to complete the finish line double, allowing Demuth to hold on for the win.


“I knew (Michael Willard) was there,” said Demuth. “It’s just great to come back to arenacross and get a win the first time out with Tuf Honda. A lot of people don’t realize that I work a regular job back in Texas, but I just love arenacross and I had to come back. This series means a lot to me and I can’t thank everyone enough.”


Arenacross rookie Alex Martin, of Millville, Minn., finished third in his first career start for Ti Lube Honda.


As AMA Arenacross Lites blasted out of the gates in its 15-lap main event, Willard, who won his AMA Arenacross class heat race earlier in the evening, worked his way up to the top spot and never looked back.


“It’s great to win the Lites class,” said Willard. “But I’d be a lot happier if it was in the premier class. If I used about three more inches, I would have gotten by Josh (Demuth). I decided to just come out (to Des Moines) and ride in hopes of earning an arenacross ride for this (upcoming) season. I had to actually borrow my buddy’s bike, but it has worked good all night. I hope things work out.”


Westville, Ind.’s Shane Sewell finished second on his Rusty Ott’s, Prosource Yamaha while Caswell Cycle Kawasaki’s Bruce Dehn, of Dayton, Minn., rounded out the top three.


AMA Arenacross from Wells Fargo Arena continues on Saturday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. CT.


Tickets are available online at www.arenacross.com, www.ticketmaster.com, www.tickets.com. For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.

AMA Arenacross Class Results, (Des Moines, Iowa)

1. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Honda

2. Michael Willard, Thornville, Ohio, Honda

3. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda

4. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Suzuki

5. Shane Sewell, Westville, Ind., Yamaha

6. Kurt McCabe, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Honda

7. Travis Bannister, Calhoun, Col., Honda

8. Codi Adams, Batavia, Ohio, Yamaha

9. Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki

10. Derek Whitney, Wonderlake, Ill., Yamaha

AMA Arenacross Class Lites Results (Des Moines, Iowa)

1. Michael Willard, Thornville, Ohio, Honda

2. Shane Sewell, Westville, Ind., Yamaha

3. Bruce Dehn, Dayton, Minn., Kawasaki

4. Kurt McCabe, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Honda

5. Codi Adams, Batavia, Ohio, Yamaha

6. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda

7. Gavin Faith, Duncombe, Iowa, Honda

8. John Dehn, Dayton, Minn., Kawasaki

9. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Suzuki

10. Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki