Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Notebook: Youngstown & Hampton

AURORA, Ill. (Jan. 31, 2008) – With a HUGE 1-1 performance in Louisville last weekend, Bad Boy/TUF/Honda’s Chad Johnson has made a break for the lead in a three horse race that’s coming up on the final straightaway of the 2007-’08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series.

Johnson rode flawlessly this past weekend at Broadbent Arena, dominating the race on Friday night, then reeling in, passing, got passed back, then made a final pass on Brock Sellards (Monster/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki) to win the race and complete the sweep on Saturday.

How big were the wins? With a 25-point lead over Sellards’ teammate, Kelly Smith (282-257) and three more points on Sellards (254), Johnson can afford a DNF and still be in the lead – or tied for it.

“These guys (Smith & Sellards) are definitely riding well,” said Johnson. “I had a weekend that went my way and they didn’t. But that can happen to anybody racing the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series.”

Johnson said the key to his success was his starts – something he has not had going his way for much of the season. “Good starts, riding well and staying focused on things through 25 laps have been key,” he said. “My starts haven’t been the greatest, so I’ve been working on them a lot.”

Staying at Underground MX in Kemp, Texas, Johnson has been riding with Kyle Regal,16, a young guy who Johnson assures us will soon make a name for himself on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series tour. Johnson has moved his family down to Texas from Wisconsin for the winter and has been training his hard out at the facility where Josh Demuth also trains.

As for the final five races of the season, Johnson would like to have that 25-point DNF cushion heading into Saturday night (March 16th) in Green Bay, Wis., when he shoots for his second Toyota AMA Arenacross Series title. However, he’s doubtful that’ll happen.

“That’d be awesome,” he said of the idea. “But realistically, it’s going to be a dogfight with Kelly and Brock to the end.”

Word on the street in Hampton, Va., is that X Games BMX star Dave Mirra and some of his pro BMX buddies might be rolling into the Coliseum to check out the action.

All the guys have dirt bikes and might even ride amateur day, says X Games/Dew Tour star Allan Cooke. Among those potentially attending with Mirra and Cooke will be: Scot Ashton, Alister Whitton, Stephen Lilly, Jeff Neely and Scott Wirch.

Live Nation Motor Sports, Inc’s., Robert Hansen checked in with this: “Well here we are again with a split weekend, Youngstown and Hampton. This is where team managers make their money. The Toyota AMA Arenacross Series poses some interesting challenges as to where the team managers and riders pick where to compete. If you ask 10 different people you will most likely get a 50/50 split decision on whether they like the systems or not.”

Hansen continued: “Think about it – the cost of travel is unbelievable. So splitting some of the weekends gives team mangers two options when looking at the budget and the points. If you’ve got a kid that just turned expert and has limited funds, he’s now got a chance to find an event close to his hometown and get in there and mix it up with the pros. So anyway you look at it the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series is doing what it’s intended to do – and that is developing the future stars of Monster Energy® Supercross.”

2007-’08 AMA Arenacross Class Standings
1.       Chad Johnson, Hon, 282
2.       Kelly Smith, Kaw, 257
3.       Brock Sellards, Kaw, 254
4.       Teddy Maier, Hon, 210
5.       Keith Johnson, Yam, 205
6.       Kevin Johnson, Yam 199
7.       Tommy Hofmaster, Yam, 167
8.       Jim Neese, Suz, 164
9.       Nathan Skaggs, Hon, 164
10.   Danny Smith, Hon, 149

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.

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.