Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Ready To Rock Reno

November 12, 2007, 8:41am

AURORA, Ill. (Nov. 12, 2007) – Last year at Reno’s (Nev.) Livestock Event Center Team TUF Racing/Honda’s Danny Smith finished 1-2 during the two-night performance to extend a points lead that he would never relinquish, eventually winning the 2006-’07 overall Toyota AMA Arenacross Series title. Smith was quoted later in the season saying “Reno was the turning point in the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series.”

This weekend in Reno will have to play out similar for Idaho’s Smith if he wants to dig out of the hole he dug himself this past weekend in Albany, N.Y., where he didn’t even qualify for the main event.

“This really leaves the door open for guys like Robbie Reynard (Suzuki) and Kelly Smith (Kawasaki) and Brock Sellards (Kawasaki) to move in on the lead,” said Toyota AMA Arenacross Series announcer Tim Cotter. “It also opens the door for points leader Chad Johnson (Honda) to blow this thing wide open.”

Heading into Reno, Johnson has a 15-point lead in the premier AMA Arenacross class. Last year Smith had a 28-point lead over Johnson (29-point lead over eventual Toyota AMA Arenacross Series runner-up Reynard) when they departed Reno. Much of this was due in fact to both Johnson and Reynard crashing or nearly crashing in their starts on Friday. The high-speed first turn at the Livestock Events Center is always a challenge to the riders, and the layout of the track is the largest on the circuit.

“Reno’s definitely turned out, year after year, to be one of the key stops on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series circuit,” added Cotter.

Also keep in mind that former Toyota AMA Arenacross Series champion, Josh Demuth (Honda), is scheduled to race Reno. Along with former champions Chad Johnson, Danny Smith and Reynard, there could be four former champs lined up for the main events – provided they can even qualify in the star-studded field!

In its 16th year of competition at the Livestock Events Center, Round Three of the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series is brought to you locally by Michael’s Reno Powersports.

Last year’s Friday & Saturday night podiums at Reno:

Friday Lites Class Friday Arenacross Class

1 – Ryan Voit, Kawasaki                        1 – Danny Smith, Honda
2 – Tye Hanes, Kawasaki                       2 – Brock Sellards, Honda
3 – Kody Molitor, Honda                         3 – Kevin Johnson, Yamaha

Saturday Lites Class Saturday Arenacross Class

1 – Gray Davenport, Kawasaki                1 – Kevin Johnson, Yamaha
2 – Dennis Jonon, KTM                          2 – Danny Smith, Honda
3 – Beni Williams, Suzuki                       3 – Brock Sellards, Honda

2007-’08 Series Team Point Standings

1. Chad Johnson 63 pts
2. Brock Sellards 48 pts
3. Kelly Smith 47 pts
4. Jim Neese 46 pts
5. Robbie Reynard 43 pts

Tickets for the Nov. 16-17 Toyota AMA Arenacross at the Reno Livestock Events Center are available through www.arenacross.com, at the Reno Livestock Events Center box office, Silver Legacy Casino, any Ticketmaster location, including www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (775) 787-TIXS. Fees and handling may apply. Show times are Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday (amateurs) at 12:00. Doors open Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday advance tickets are $20 for adults, $7 for kids ages 2-12. Sunday’s tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids. All seats are $2 more day of show. Note: Tickets for the 2008 Reno Toyota AMA Arenacross round will go on sale 11/18 at 6 p.m.