AURORA , Ill. (January 12, 2010) – After a memorable opening weekend in Grand Rapids, Mich., the AMA Arenacross Series continues its nationwide trek throughout the 2010 season this weekend at Baltimore’s 1^st Mariner Arena and round two of the 12-race season. Former AMA supercross star and racing veteran Ezra Lusk is prepared to come out of retirement and make a full-time return to the sport he loves on a more intimate and in-your-face style of racing when he joins the AMA Arenacross Series.

 Achieving success in the big stadiums of AMA Supercross throughout the ‘90s, Lusk is returning to competition in the action-packed, technical confines of the AMA Arenacross Series for 2010. As a member of the dominant Tuf Honda team that has won the last three AMA Arenacross class titles, Lusk will join teammates Brock Sellards and reigning AMA Arenacross Series champion Jeff Gibson for his official series debut at the legendary Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo., January 30-31 for the fourth of 12 rounds this season.

 An injury suffered while preparing for the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series forced Lusk to sit on the sidelines as the series got underway, but now the Georgia native affectionately known as Yogi is back and ready to make his first foray into the bar-banging, high-energy competition of the world’s most exciting and intimate form of motorcycle racing.

 After a stellar 2010 debut at their team’s hometown race, respective Friday and Saturday night race winners Chad Johnson and Tyler Bowers lead their competitors, sitting atop the standings for Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLube Kawasaki.

Behind them, a potent lineup of challengers await their opportunity to climb atop the podium, including the series’ latest all-star team from reigning three-time series champion Tuf Racing. The 2010 Tuf Honda effort is led by defending series champion Jeff Gibson, who posted a runner-up finish on the opening night of action but suffered his worst performance since racing the AMA Arenacross Series full time last season on Saturday, failing to make the main event. Joining Gibson is perennial championship bridesmaid Brock Sellards along with former supercross star Ezra Lusk who returns from retirement to make his AMA Arenacross Series debut.

Gibson and Sellards were the top two finishers in the AMA Arenacross Series last season and Sellards brings a familiarity with Tuf Honda, racing for the team in 2007. With success and experience in the hands of the riders wearing the number one and two plates, Lusk’s adjustment to the series should be smooth when he joins the 2010 season at the third round in Hampton, Va. Lusk is recovering from a testing injury, forcing him to miss the first two rounds of the year.

Last year in Baltimore, Gibson established himself as a title favorite, extending his early season points lead with a Friday night win while Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda’s Nathan Skaggs continued what would be a breakout season in 2009 by capturing the victory on Saturday.

 In the always unpredictable AMA Arenacross Lites class, a pair of premier AMA Arenacross class competitors took advantage of making the adjustment to a new season as Josh Demuth and Gray Davenport took the wins on Friday and Saturday night, respectively.

 This weekend marks the second round of the Lites Eastern Regional championship, currently led by Grand Rapids’ Friday night winner and defending Central Regional champion Kurt McCabe.

One Race Dash for Cash Offers Bragging Rights Heading into 2010

AURORA , Ill. (November 2, 2009) – As the dawn of a new AMA Arenacross Series season looms just nine weeks away, the stars of the AMA Arenacross Series are prepared to put on a show for one final time in 2009 as Des Moines, Iowa’s Wells Fargo Arena plays host to the second annual prequel race. After a stellar debut one year ago, the prequel returns this weekend on November 7-8 with some of the biggest names in the sport in an all-out run for the money with $11,000 on the line.

The Des Moines race is a standalone race and not part of the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series schedule. Saturday night features the premier competition of the pro classes while Sunday showcases the always popular Amateur National Arenacross Championship qualifier.

Wells Fargo has been series staple for many years, serving as one of the most popular stops on the tour. Last year, two nights of action witnessed the return of an AMA Arenacross Series legend and the breakout of a future star within the sport. Two-time champion Josh Demuth kicked-off a full-time return to the series, grabbing the Arenacross class victory on night one. On night two, privateer competitor Michael Willard turned heads by dominating the evening aboard a borrowed motorcycle. Throughout four main events across two nights of action for the Arenacross and Arenacross Lites classes, Willard took home three victories as well as a runner-up finish. As a result, he received a factory-supported ride with Kawasaki for the 2009 season.

Thanks to Willard’s breakthrough weekend, the Des Moines prequel has taken on additional appeal as the final stage for riders to showcase their talents in hopes of capturing a fully-supported ride for the upcoming season. With a lineup of series stars and hungry riders looking for a chance at AMA Arenacross Series stardom, this weekend’s race is sure to showcase the memorable bar-banging action that makes this the most intimate and exciting form of motorcycle racing on the planet.

Demuth returns for 2009, looking for another shot at bragging rights. However, a potent roster of past champions and race winners are ready to stake their claim at the grand prize. Leading the way is fellow two-time champion and Demuth’s Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki teammate Chad Johnson and newly added teammate Tyler Bowers. Alongside will be former supercross veterans Kelly Smith and Gavin Gracyk, riding for Junior Jackson KTM. Triple Effect Kawasaki’s Gray Davenport along with Arenacross legends Robbie Reynard and Tom Hofmaster will also be present. Locally, the Des Moines crowd will have the chance to cheer on the entire TiLUBE Motorsports team and Iowa natives Teddy Maier, Gavin Faith and Devin Reed.

Tickets available at the Wells Fargo Arena Box Office, all Dahl’s Foods locations, online at www.dahlstickets.com, or charge by phone at (866) 55-DAHLS. (All seats $2 more on day of show. All tickets subject to $1 Facility Fee. Child discount applies to children ages 2-12.)Show times are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. Doors open on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. Sunday. Front Row tickets for Saturday night cost $40 and Gold Circle seats are just $25. 100 to 300 level seats range from $18 – $20. Sunday tickets are $18 for adults, $9 for kids. All seats $2 more day of show. Note: Kids = children ages 2-12.

$5 discount tickets are available at Hicklin Powersports from 10/19/09 through 11/7/09 while supplies last.

Fans in attendance also can take part in the Track Party on Saturday from 5-6 p.m. for the chance to meet the riders and get autographs. Simply recycle any MONSTER ENERGY can at the gate entrance for FREE admission. Must have valid Saturday event ticket to enter.

For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.

AURORA, Ill. (March 21, 2009) – The 2009 AMA Arenacross Season came to a close on Saturday night with one final evening of exciting bar-to-bar action from the Bank of Kentucky Center in Highland Heights, Ky. After newly crowned champion Jeff Gibson, of Westerville, Ohio, raced to the win for Mahindra Tractors/Tuf Honda on Friday night, teammate Josh Demuth, of North Richland Hills, Texas, accomplished the same feat on night two for his second win in four races. The final race of the AMA Arenacross Lites season proved to be exciting as Foremost Insurance Suzuki’s Jim Neese, of Julian, N.C., used his veteran experience to race to the win.

Demuth, who didn’t stand atop the podium until last weekend’s race in Wilkes Barre, was impressive at the tail end of the season. On Saturday, he garnered a great start and battled with his teammate throughout the 25-lap main. Combine his stellar efforts on Saturday night with a strong runner-up finish on Friday and Demuth can walk away from his return to the AMA Arenacross Series with his head held high.

“I needed to end the season on a strong note,” said Demuth. “I haven’t had the year I’d hoped for so to come out the past two weeks with some really strong runs makes things a lot more positive heading into the off-season. I want to thank my Tuf Honda team and congratulate Josh (Gibson) on the championship. It’s been a pleasure to be his teammate.”

Gibson brought home the runner-up spot, reversing the 1-2 order from Friday night. Monster Energy Team Green Kawasaki’s Michael Willard, of Thornville, Ohio, brought home a solid third place finish. In the battle for second place in the season standings, Triple Effect Kawasaki’s Brock Sellards, of Sherodsville, Ohio, and Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chad Johnson, of Rhinelander, Wis., both experienced tough outings Saturday evening. The pair brought home 13^th and 14^th place finishes, respectively, giving Sellards to runner-up spot behind Gibson. Johnson fell to fourth as Demuth late-season charge vaulted him into third place.

In the AMA Arenacross Lites main event, Neese battled with Eastern Lites Champion Tyler Bright, of Lexington, N.C., and his Makson Construction Suzuki for the top spot. The win marked Neese’s second of the season overall in AMA Arenacross Lites competition and serves as a boost of confidence heading into the off-season. Bright would hold on for second place while Team Green House of Kawasaki’s Justin berry, of Edmond, Okla., brought home third.

The 2009 AMA Arenacross Series season was memorable as eight different winners found their way into the winners circle throughout the 11-round season. The new condensed schedule provided challenges to many competitors, but kept the excitement level of the championship fight at its peak throughout the three-month nationwide campaign.

AMA Arenacross Class Results (Highland Heights, Ky.)

1. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Honda
2. Jeff Gibson, Westerville, Ohio, Honda
3. Michael Willard, Thornville, Ohio, Kawasaki
4. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda
5. Willy Browning, Rushville, Ohio, Suzuki
6. Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki
7. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda
8. Keith Johnson, Albuquerque, N.M, Yamaha
9. Codi Adams, Batavia, Ohio, Kawasaki
10. Kyle Glass, Hudsonville, Mich., Honda

AMA Arenacross Lites Class Results (Highland Heights, Ky.)

1. Jim Neese, Julian, N.C, Suzuki
2. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Suzuki
3. Justin Berry, Edmond, Okla., Kawasaki
4. Kevin Johnson, Albuquerque, N.M., Yamaha
5. Matt Cottrill, Chillicothe, Ohio, Yamaha
6. Devon Pilkington, Virginia Beach, Va., Yamaha
7. Kyle Brown, Lake Odessa, Mich., Kawasaki
8. Dacoda Sarochuk, Randolph, Utah, Kawasaki
9. Kyle Glass, Lake Odessa, Mich., Kawasaki
10. Travis Merrill, Quincy, Ill., KTM

AMA Arenacross Class Points (After Race 17 of 17)

1. Jeff Gibson, Westerville, Ohio, Honda – 350
2. Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Kawasaki – 278
3. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Honda – 276
4. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 272
5. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 268
6. Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki – 244
7. Michael Willard, Thornville, Ohio, Kawasaki – 235
8. Codi Adams, Batavia, Ohio, Kawasaki – 197
9. Keith Johnson, Albuquerque, N.M, Yamaha – 177
10. Willy Browning, Rushville, Ohio, Suzuki – 154

]]> http://tufracing.net/teamnews/?feed=rss2&p=8 0 http://tufracing.net/teamnews/?p=7 http://tufracing.net/teamnews/?p=7#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:18:03 +0000 admin http://tufracing.net/teamnews/?p=7 Arenacross Video Lookback at Round 11 in Sacramento

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