Bowers Continues Pursuit of AX Title in Little Rock
AURORA, Ill. – Just three rounds remain in the 2011 AMA Arenacross Series and over the past six weeks, only one rider has stood atop the podium and has put himself in position to claim the Arenacross class title. Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers is in the midst of an eight-race winning streak and this weekend, the Kentucky-born rider will look to keep his dominance going inside Verizon Arena in Little Rock, Ark.
Last weekend over two nights of action from Council Bluffs, Iowa, Bowers put forth a pair of impressive efforts to sweep the weekend. On Friday evening, Bowers worked his way through the field to make a remarkable last-lap pass for the win. On Saturday, he took matters into his own hands, grabbing the lead early and distancing himself from the field.
Bowers’ series-leading 10 wins surpasses his total from the 2010 championship and through 15 races this season, he has finished on the podium 13 times. His advantage in the standings now sits at 46 points and he continues to inch closer to claiming his first professional title.
“One might think by being in the position he’s in that Tyler would ride more conservatively,” said AMA Arenacross Series Director Jayme Dalsing. “Based on his efforts in Council Bluffs, I’d say he’s not interested in settling for anything but first and I expect him to continue to lay it all on the line for the next three weeks.”
While Bowers continues to compile one of the most statistically impressive seasons in AMA Arenacross Series history, the battle for second in the championship continues to progress.
Entering the weekend, TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson and Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki’s Chad Johnson sat knotted for the runner-up spot in the standings. Coming off four consecutive second-place efforts, Johnson carried the momentum into Iowa, but was forced to work his way through the field on each night, salvaging fourth and fifth-place efforts. Meanwhile, Gibson bounced back after a tough stretch of competition to land on the podium on both nights, in second and third. The duo resumes their battle this weekend.
In the Arenacross Lites class, the Eastern Regional Championship resumes with Foremost Insurance/Spinechillers/HondaofFairfield.com’s Patrick Massie leading the way. The Ohio native has one win to his credit this season and has been the most consistent rider in the championship. He boasts a 29-point lead with two rounds remaining and will look to extend his advantage in Arkansas.
The AMA Arenacross Series is returning to Little Rock for the first time since 2008. All the excitement from Verizon Arena kicks off on Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT.
Advance tickets are available for the Little Rock Arenacross at the Verizon Arena Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone and ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 more the day of the race.
Arenacross Class Points (After Race 15 of 19)
Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 352
Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda – 306
Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 298
Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda – 239
Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki – 224
Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 207
Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., Yamaha – 207
Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Yamaha – 179
Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki – 166
Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, Honda – 154
Arenacross Lites Class Eastern Regional Points (After Race 7 of 10)
Patrick Massie, Washington Court, Ohio, Honda – 125
Austin Coon, Spencer, W.V., Honda – 96
Adam Gulley, Jonesburg, Mo., Kawasaki – 95
Steve Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki – 86
Tyler Sehr, Belleville, Ill., Honda – 65
Kyle Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki – 63
Austin Primavera, Larue, Ohio, Suzuki – 56
Kenneth Henry, Ashtabula, Ohio, KTM – 56
Scott Zont, Algonquin, Ill., Honda – 47
Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda – 38
New for 2011! Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross Series. To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short at brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or 949-365-5750.
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