AMA Arenacross Series Celebrates 25 Years
October 28, 2008, 1:08pm
AURORA, Ill. – After 25 great years of bar-to-bar, high intensity action, the tight confines of the AMA Arenacross Series enters a quarter century of racing in 2009. Some of the most recognizable names in racing have graced the arenacross stage, leaving their tire tracks on what has become a great legacy.
Last season Rhinelander, Wis.’s Chad Johnson took his second AMA Arenacross title in three years, outlasting Ludington, Mich.’s Kelly Smith in a highly competitive 19-race season. Additionally, Johnson provided Tuf Powersports Honda with its second consecutive AMA Arenacross Championship after taking overall victories in seven races, including the season opener in Des Moines, Iowa.
In the multi-regional AMA Arenacross Lites class, four champions were crowned. Colt Humphrey proved that consistency is key en route to a dominating performance in the West Region despite not winning a single race. In the East Region, Tyler Bright swept all three of the regional races for a convincing title run. In a competitive battle for the North Region crown, Shane Sewell outlasted a field of talented competitors to come out on top, while the most competitive Lites battle of the season came in the South Region as Jimmy Albertson and Chad Cook finished tied atop the standings, but by virtue of an overall victory, Albertson took the title.
In 2009, a revised schedule will greet the series competitors. Consolidated from 19 races to 11 by eliminating the split weekend format, the AMA Arenacross Series will travel throughout the United States, including three new stops in Tulsa, Okla. (February 7-8), Fresno, Calif. (February 14-15), and Highland Heights, Ky. (March 20-22), which will serve as the season finale. The traditional mainstay from Des Moines, Iowa will once again kick off the season on November 7-9, but will not be included in the season championship. Instead, it will serve as a season prequel previewing what fans can look forward to come January 2-4 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
"As the defending champion of the series, I am looking forward to racing in front of my fans in the cities that we will return to and expanding my fan base in Highland Heights, Fresno and Tulsa," said 2008 champ Johnson.
Chasing the #1 plate is a strong list of candidates who will gun for the title in 2009.
“The 2009 season should prove to be one of the most competitive in the history of AMA Arenacross,” stated AMA Arenacross Series Director Jayme Dalsing. “We should see fireworks with the return of two-time champion Josh Demuth challenging the defending two-time champion Chad Johnson and his teammate Kelly Smith, who placed second overall in his debut season of AMA Arenacross.”
2009 AMA Arenacross Series On-Sale Schedule
*November 7-9 Wells Fargo Arena Des Moines Iowa
January 2-4 Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids, Mich.
January 9-11 1st Mariner Arena Baltimore, Md.
January 17-18 Ervin J. Nutter Center Dayton, Ohio
January 23-25 Broadbent Arena Louisville, Ken.
January 31-February 1 Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, N.C.
February 7-8 BOK Center Tulsa, Okla.
February 14-15 Save Mart Center Fresno, Calif.
February 21-22 Arco Arena Sacramento, Calif.
February 27-March 1 Reno Livestock & Events Center Reno, Nev.
March 13-15 Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza Wilkes Barre, Pa.
March 20-22 Bank of Kentucky Arena Highland Heights, Ky., Ken.
*Prequel race to the 2009 season and is not part of the championship
Tickets for Nov. 7-9 AMA Arenacross Fueled by Monster Energy and brought to you by Hicklin Powersports at Wells Fargo Arena are available through www.arenacross.com, at the Wells Fargo Arena Ticket Office, online at www.dahlstickets.com, all Des Moines-area Dahl’s Grocery Stores or charge by phone at 1-866-55-DAHLS. Fees and handling may apply. Show times are Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 10am. Doors open Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday tickets are $20 for all Gold Circle seats, $16 for Mid Level seats/$8 for kids Mid Level seats. Sunday tickets are $16 for adults, $8 for kids. All seats $2 more day of show. Note: Kids = children ages 2-12.
Tickets for the 2009 AMA Arenacross Series are on sale now at www.arenacross.com, www.ticketmaster.com, and www.tickets.com. For more information on the series, log on to www.arenacross.com.
Last season Rhinelander, Wis.’s Chad Johnson took his second AMA Arenacross title in three years, outlasting Ludington, Mich.’s Kelly Smith in a highly competitive 19-race season. Additionally, Johnson provided Tuf Powersports Honda with its second consecutive AMA Arenacross Championship after taking overall victories in seven races, including the season opener in Des Moines, Iowa.
In the multi-regional AMA Arenacross Lites class, four champions were crowned. Colt Humphrey proved that consistency is key en route to a dominating performance in the West Region despite not winning a single race. In the East Region, Tyler Bright swept all three of the regional races for a convincing title run. In a competitive battle for the North Region crown, Shane Sewell outlasted a field of talented competitors to come out on top, while the most competitive Lites battle of the season came in the South Region as Jimmy Albertson and Chad Cook finished tied atop the standings, but by virtue of an overall victory, Albertson took the title.
In 2009, a revised schedule will greet the series competitors. Consolidated from 19 races to 11 by eliminating the split weekend format, the AMA Arenacross Series will travel throughout the United States, including three new stops in Tulsa, Okla. (February 7-8), Fresno, Calif. (February 14-15), and Highland Heights, Ky. (March 20-22), which will serve as the season finale. The traditional mainstay from Des Moines, Iowa will once again kick off the season on November 7-9, but will not be included in the season championship. Instead, it will serve as a season prequel previewing what fans can look forward to come January 2-4 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
"As the defending champion of the series, I am looking forward to racing in front of my fans in the cities that we will return to and expanding my fan base in Highland Heights, Fresno and Tulsa," said 2008 champ Johnson.
Chasing the #1 plate is a strong list of candidates who will gun for the title in 2009.
“The 2009 season should prove to be one of the most competitive in the history of AMA Arenacross,” stated AMA Arenacross Series Director Jayme Dalsing. “We should see fireworks with the return of two-time champion Josh Demuth challenging the defending two-time champion Chad Johnson and his teammate Kelly Smith, who placed second overall in his debut season of AMA Arenacross.”
2009 AMA Arenacross Series On-Sale Schedule
*November 7-9 Wells Fargo Arena Des Moines Iowa
January 2-4 Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids, Mich.
January 9-11 1st Mariner Arena Baltimore, Md.
January 17-18 Ervin J. Nutter Center Dayton, Ohio
January 23-25 Broadbent Arena Louisville, Ken.
January 31-February 1 Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, N.C.
February 7-8 BOK Center Tulsa, Okla.
February 14-15 Save Mart Center Fresno, Calif.
February 21-22 Arco Arena Sacramento, Calif.
February 27-March 1 Reno Livestock & Events Center Reno, Nev.
March 13-15 Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza Wilkes Barre, Pa.
March 20-22 Bank of Kentucky Arena Highland Heights, Ky., Ken.
*Prequel race to the 2009 season and is not part of the championship
Tickets for Nov. 7-9 AMA Arenacross Fueled by Monster Energy and brought to you by Hicklin Powersports at Wells Fargo Arena are available through www.arenacross.com, at the Wells Fargo Arena Ticket Office, online at www.dahlstickets.com, all Des Moines-area Dahl’s Grocery Stores or charge by phone at 1-866-55-DAHLS. Fees and handling may apply. Show times are Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 10am. Doors open Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday tickets are $20 for all Gold Circle seats, $16 for Mid Level seats/$8 for kids Mid Level seats. Sunday tickets are $16 for adults, $8 for kids. All seats $2 more day of show. Note: Kids = children ages 2-12.
Tickets for the 2009 AMA Arenacross Series are on sale now at www.arenacross.com, www.ticketmaster.com, and www.tickets.com. For more information on the series, log on to www.arenacross.com.
