AMA AX Heads to Six-Week Stretch Finale
February 18, 2010, 11:15pm
AURORA, Ill. – Six down, six to go. The 2010 AMA Arenacross Series has reached the halfway point. Babbitt’s Monster Energy/Ti Lube Kawasaki’s Tyler Bowers leads the way, but teammates Josh Demuth and Chad Johnson are breathing down his neck. One of the most unpredictable weekends in recent memory at the last round in Youngstown, Ohio has led to a renewed title fight, which will begin on Saturday night from San Antonio, Texas’ Alamodome.
Through the first eight rounds heading into Youngstown, Bowers was undoubtedly the man to beat. He posted six overall victories, including a stellar five-race winning streak. His lone tough outing came as a result of first corner contact in which he lost his front brake. Despite having to pull off the track for repairs, he was still able to recover for a top-10 result. The next night, he rebounded for win number six.
It appeared as though nothing could phase Bowers, but in the back of his mind and in the back of all his competitors’ minds they knew that in this sport, where so many riders are looking to claim the same piece of small real estate, anything can happen. Last Friday and Saturday night it did.
For two consecutive nights of racing, Bowers experienced his worst outing of the season, posting finishes of sixth and eighth. Meanwhile, Demuth was busy taking full advantage of Bowers’ misfortune. The former two-time AMA Arenacross Series champion finished first and second, gaining an astounding 19 points on Bowers. He also overtook Johnson for second place in the standings during the process.
Fortunately enough for Bowers, he held a seemingly insurmountable double-digit lead and even with a rough weekend like he had, still has a double-digit advantage that currently stands at 15 points. What makes this weekend’s race and the remaining five rounds that follow so intriguing is that throughout the premier AMA Arenacross class field, each rider now has more confidence than they’ve had all season that they can win races. While each rider on the track believes he has what it takes to win, otherwise he wouldn’t be out there, it was hard to think that Bowers could be slowed down after such an incredible start to the season.
Now, the momentum sits in Demuth’s favor and for the first time this season, the pressure is on Bowers to come back stronger than ever. While weakness isn’t an accurate term to determine Bowers’ position, opportunity is and his peers are well aware of it. In a sport where one needs to take advantage of every chance he gets, 15 riders will approach Saturday night’s main event with rejuvenation and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out over the next six weeks.
The Alamodome is one of the most well-known stadiums in the country. Most notably known as the former home of the San Antonio Spurs, it can seat as many as 65,000 spectators as one of the largest venues in the U.S. However, on Saturday night, the traditional basketball setup, with seating for over 20,000, will be used.
The stadium opened in 1993 and beyond hosting the Spurs, the Alamodome is the annual location for the Alamo Bowl and has hosted several other major sporting events like the NBA All-Star Game and the NCAA Final Four. It is the largest venue on the AMA Arenacross Series schedule.
The first gates drop on the San Antonio tour stop of the AMA Arenacross Series Saturday, February 20 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The action concludes with Amateur Day on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m.
Advance tickets are available for this weekend’s race at the Alamodome 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 5:00-6:00 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.
Through the first eight rounds heading into Youngstown, Bowers was undoubtedly the man to beat. He posted six overall victories, including a stellar five-race winning streak. His lone tough outing came as a result of first corner contact in which he lost his front brake. Despite having to pull off the track for repairs, he was still able to recover for a top-10 result. The next night, he rebounded for win number six.
It appeared as though nothing could phase Bowers, but in the back of his mind and in the back of all his competitors’ minds they knew that in this sport, where so many riders are looking to claim the same piece of small real estate, anything can happen. Last Friday and Saturday night it did.
For two consecutive nights of racing, Bowers experienced his worst outing of the season, posting finishes of sixth and eighth. Meanwhile, Demuth was busy taking full advantage of Bowers’ misfortune. The former two-time AMA Arenacross Series champion finished first and second, gaining an astounding 19 points on Bowers. He also overtook Johnson for second place in the standings during the process.
Fortunately enough for Bowers, he held a seemingly insurmountable double-digit lead and even with a rough weekend like he had, still has a double-digit advantage that currently stands at 15 points. What makes this weekend’s race and the remaining five rounds that follow so intriguing is that throughout the premier AMA Arenacross class field, each rider now has more confidence than they’ve had all season that they can win races. While each rider on the track believes he has what it takes to win, otherwise he wouldn’t be out there, it was hard to think that Bowers could be slowed down after such an incredible start to the season.
Now, the momentum sits in Demuth’s favor and for the first time this season, the pressure is on Bowers to come back stronger than ever. While weakness isn’t an accurate term to determine Bowers’ position, opportunity is and his peers are well aware of it. In a sport where one needs to take advantage of every chance he gets, 15 riders will approach Saturday night’s main event with rejuvenation and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out over the next six weeks.
The Alamodome is one of the most well-known stadiums in the country. Most notably known as the former home of the San Antonio Spurs, it can seat as many as 65,000 spectators as one of the largest venues in the U.S. However, on Saturday night, the traditional basketball setup, with seating for over 20,000, will be used.
The stadium opened in 1993 and beyond hosting the Spurs, the Alamodome is the annual location for the Alamo Bowl and has hosted several other major sporting events like the NBA All-Star Game and the NCAA Final Four. It is the largest venue on the AMA Arenacross Series schedule.
The first gates drop on the San Antonio tour stop of the AMA Arenacross Series Saturday, February 20 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The action concludes with Amateur Day on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m.
Advance tickets are available for this weekend’s race at the Alamodome 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 5:00-6:00 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.
