Denny Bartz Interview
February 10, 2010 10:53am
AURORA, Ill. – When the checkered flags flew on last Saturday’s Tulsa Arenacross, a trio of familiar faces thus far in the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series stood on the podium. The Babbitt’s Monster Energy/Ti Lube Kawasaki lineup of Tyler Bowers, Chad Johnson and Josh Demuth have taken the season by storm. In each of the eight races through five rounds this season, at least one member of the Babbitt’s squad has stood on the podium and only the three riders from the Michigan-based team have won races this season.
Bowers leads his competitors atop the point standings with six victories while Johnson and Demuth both have one win to their credit and occupy the second and third positions in the standings, respectively.
Babbitt’s Team Manager Denny Bartz has played a significant role in the development of his team. One of the longest-running programs in the sport, he has helped lead the team to the upper echelon of the sport and thanks to his efforts going into 2010, looks to achieve an unprecedented feat by sweeping the top three spots in the final championship standings.
Denny, to say you’ve had an amazing year so for would be an understatement. You’re team has won every race, has swept the podium twice and holds down the top three spots in the standings. Is this what you imagined when the year began?
I guess my expectations were that I had three guys all capable of winning races. To think we would have swept the podium twice and be the top three in points, obviously (shows) anything can happen in arenacross. Everyone seems to have their days of bad luck (however). I definitely knew that of my three guys, all of them were capable of winning main events. More importantly, I knew I had three guys capable of coming from the back of the pack to the front. I think that’s the key right now is that during the last two laps, my guys are still going to be picking people off. I think that’s been the key to getting those podium sweeps.
You have always been considered one of the top teams in the sport. This year things just seem to be clicking. Is that a result of anything different you have done?
I think going to the 450s has helped us a bunch because I think all my guys are in shape and can hold onto a 450 for 25 laps. That usually equals about 12 minutes so they should be able to, but at the same time that’s definitely a big plus for my guys. They’re big strong guys and they can really ride the 450 for a full 25 lap (race),
Have the team’s achievements exceeded your expectations?
I knew that Tyler (Bowers) could do what he is doing. I didn’t think he could do it in six main events already but back when I refereed in arenacross I was refereeing him when he was riding 60s. So he’s been in arenacross for many years and obviously he’s very capable of running the tight tracks.
Chad Johnson and Josh Demuth have been there each and every week and had obviously had their chance at the front of the field. With their experience, is there something in particular that has allowed Tyler to get that edge so consistently and keep them at bay?
I think Tyler has some really good lines early in the race to make his passes really quick. I think Josh and Chad are a little more conservative on the line and think to make their passes. Tyler is definitely willing to hang it on the edge to make the pass stick. I think that’s a big advantage because he does that right at the beginning of the race when everybody is close rather than waiting until everyone gets stretched out so he has to reel them back in. But yeah, I think his aggressive, quick passes are the difference.
For the last few seasons, the Tuf Honda team has been the team to beat. They have a strong lineup this season with Jeff Gibson and Brock Sellards. Just based on history, do you expect them to be in the mix before all is said and done?
I think the gap between first and fourth (in the standings) is pretty good. Jeff Gibson and Brock Sellards you can never count out. I do believe they’ll win some races before the season is over and they’ll be making a charge for the championship, no doubt.
Could you have ever imaged possibly finishing the season 1-2-3 like you are right now approaching the halfway point?
I guess I’ve always thought that its possible to do. I thought it was possible the last couple years when I had the riders I had then too, but we started this year out a whole lot better than the past couple years.
So did you do something different in your approach to this season? The team’s debut in Des Moines in November was very similar to how things have played out so far.
Yeah, our preparation was a lot better this year. We started earlier, everybody had their practice bikes earlier, and we tested earlier. They raced the Des Moines round on their practice bikes, but they had already done their testing and knew their settings and where they wanted to be. So after Des Moines, we had another month and a half of testing, riding and stuff down there. So the preparation definitely had a lot to do with it.
From your perspective as a team manager, what do you want to accomplish as a team during the second half of the season?
My goal originally was to have all three of my guys in the top five, but where it stands now I think that’s changed. Obviously now my goal is to go 1-2-3.
Advance tickets are available for this weekend’s Youngstown Arenacross at the Covelli Centre Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone and ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 more the day of the race.
Fans in attendance also can take part in the Track Party on Saturday from 5:30-6:30 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.
Tickets for all rounds of the 2010 season can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and www.arenacross.com.
For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.
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 Monster Jam®, SuperBull?, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz?, Gravity Slashers?, 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.
Bowers leads his competitors atop the point standings with six victories while Johnson and Demuth both have one win to their credit and occupy the second and third positions in the standings, respectively.
Babbitt’s Team Manager Denny Bartz has played a significant role in the development of his team. One of the longest-running programs in the sport, he has helped lead the team to the upper echelon of the sport and thanks to his efforts going into 2010, looks to achieve an unprecedented feat by sweeping the top three spots in the final championship standings.
Denny, to say you’ve had an amazing year so for would be an understatement. You’re team has won every race, has swept the podium twice and holds down the top three spots in the standings. Is this what you imagined when the year began?
I guess my expectations were that I had three guys all capable of winning races. To think we would have swept the podium twice and be the top three in points, obviously (shows) anything can happen in arenacross. Everyone seems to have their days of bad luck (however). I definitely knew that of my three guys, all of them were capable of winning main events. More importantly, I knew I had three guys capable of coming from the back of the pack to the front. I think that’s the key right now is that during the last two laps, my guys are still going to be picking people off. I think that’s been the key to getting those podium sweeps.
You have always been considered one of the top teams in the sport. This year things just seem to be clicking. Is that a result of anything different you have done?
I think going to the 450s has helped us a bunch because I think all my guys are in shape and can hold onto a 450 for 25 laps. That usually equals about 12 minutes so they should be able to, but at the same time that’s definitely a big plus for my guys. They’re big strong guys and they can really ride the 450 for a full 25 lap (race),
Have the team’s achievements exceeded your expectations?
I knew that Tyler (Bowers) could do what he is doing. I didn’t think he could do it in six main events already but back when I refereed in arenacross I was refereeing him when he was riding 60s. So he’s been in arenacross for many years and obviously he’s very capable of running the tight tracks.
Chad Johnson and Josh Demuth have been there each and every week and had obviously had their chance at the front of the field. With their experience, is there something in particular that has allowed Tyler to get that edge so consistently and keep them at bay?
I think Tyler has some really good lines early in the race to make his passes really quick. I think Josh and Chad are a little more conservative on the line and think to make their passes. Tyler is definitely willing to hang it on the edge to make the pass stick. I think that’s a big advantage because he does that right at the beginning of the race when everybody is close rather than waiting until everyone gets stretched out so he has to reel them back in. But yeah, I think his aggressive, quick passes are the difference.
For the last few seasons, the Tuf Honda team has been the team to beat. They have a strong lineup this season with Jeff Gibson and Brock Sellards. Just based on history, do you expect them to be in the mix before all is said and done?
I think the gap between first and fourth (in the standings) is pretty good. Jeff Gibson and Brock Sellards you can never count out. I do believe they’ll win some races before the season is over and they’ll be making a charge for the championship, no doubt.
Could you have ever imaged possibly finishing the season 1-2-3 like you are right now approaching the halfway point?
I guess I’ve always thought that its possible to do. I thought it was possible the last couple years when I had the riders I had then too, but we started this year out a whole lot better than the past couple years.
So did you do something different in your approach to this season? The team’s debut in Des Moines in November was very similar to how things have played out so far.
Yeah, our preparation was a lot better this year. We started earlier, everybody had their practice bikes earlier, and we tested earlier. They raced the Des Moines round on their practice bikes, but they had already done their testing and knew their settings and where they wanted to be. So after Des Moines, we had another month and a half of testing, riding and stuff down there. So the preparation definitely had a lot to do with it.
From your perspective as a team manager, what do you want to accomplish as a team during the second half of the season?
My goal originally was to have all three of my guys in the top five, but where it stands now I think that’s changed. Obviously now my goal is to go 1-2-3.
Advance tickets are available for this weekend’s Youngstown Arenacross at the Covelli Centre Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone and ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 more the day of the race.
Fans in attendance also can take part in the Track Party on Saturday from 5:30-6:30 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.
Tickets for all rounds of the 2010 season can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and www.arenacross.com.
For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.
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 Monster Jam®, SuperBull?, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz?, Gravity Slashers?, 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.