TUF Racing Announces Its 2006/07 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Team
Danny Smith & Justin Buckelew head up Dave Antolak’s Honda-backed Toyota AMA AX Series team
AURORA, Ill. (Oct. 26, 2006) – Longtime Toyota AMA Arenacross Series team owner Dave Antolak made it official today, announcing his TUF Racing line up for the upcoming arenacross season beginning Nov. 3 at Des Moines’ (Iowa) Wells Fargo Arena.
Heading up the Honda-backed team will be a couple familiar names with motocross fans. Former Southwick AMA National MX winner Danny Smith and former Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series 125cc race winner (San Diego ’01) Justin Buckelew will make Antolak’s team one of the instant favorites to capture the title, along with adding a great deal of recognition to the exclusive AMA Arenacross feeder series to AMA-sanctioned supercross.
TUF Racing finished in the runner-up position at last year’s Toyota AMA Arenacross Series. Contender Brock Sellards lost out on the Series’ final race in Denver to eventual champion Chad Johnson by one point. Still burning on the minds of Antolak and his team, they hope to avenge the loss and bring the title back to TUF Racing program.
“Last year we got a late start and it cost us the championship,” said Antolak. “That won’t happen this year. Our entire TUF Racing team staff is returning and we’re very happy with the riders we have signed, we will be 100% ready to go at Des Moines.”
Handling the managerial duties for Antolak’s TUF Racing program will be Chris Hunter. Hunter will be joined by Tracin Seng, the team’s head mechanic.
Added Hunter: “We have delayed the announcement of the team as we were awaiting confirmation on a few sponsors, but rest assured we’ve been hard at work getting the bikes ready. Danny’s already run some of the stuff we’re using this year at the U.S. Open and is very pleased with the results.”
Tickets are available online at www.arenacross.com, www.ticketmaster.com, www.tickets.com. For more information on the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.