Carolina Xpress Dominates Arenacross Lites Class in Charlotte
Team Posts Strong Results in Front of Hometown Crowd
Greensboro, North Carolina, January 8, 2007 - Jim Neese, of the Carolina Xpress, won the Lites Class in the Toyota AMA Arenacross races on both Friday and Saturday night in front of a hometown crowd at a packed Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
In the Arenacross class, Jim Neese posted a second place finish on Friday night and was leading the Arenacross class on Saturday night in the early laps, but washed out in a turn and was unable to regain the lead. Jim Chester, also a Carolina Xpress rider, placed third on Saturday night in the Arenacross Lites class.
Tyler Bright, of Lexington, NC, took second place on Saturday in the Lites class. North Carolina riders swept the Arenacross Lites class on Saturday night.
“I am really excited about the team results in Charlotte. The fan support for the Carolina Xpress was awesome and it contributed to our results. The media coverage of the team was impressive. We were pleased to get so much coverage for the team and the event. We invited a couple of potential corporate team sponsors (who knew very little about motocross racing) to attend the event as our guests and the feedback was outstanding,” commented Jim Neese.
“It felt good to get back on the podium in front of our hometown crowd. What a great way to start the New Year! Live Nation and the Charlotte Bobcats Arena put on an excellent show for the fans,” added Jim Chester.
Jamie Hacking, motorcycle road racer and 2006 AMA Supersport and Superstock Champion, came out to show support for the Carolina Xpress and watch the races. Jamie raced motocross with Jim Neese and Jim Chester earlier in his career.
Other well-known racers in attendance included NASCAR driver and motocross fan Joe Nemechek, and Billy Liles - the 1992 Team USA Motocross des Nations champion.
Attendance at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena was up significantly from the events held in November of 2005.
The next race for the Carolina Xpress will be next weekend, January 12 – 14 in Baltimore, Maryland at the 1st Mariner Arena.