Arenacross Heads to Madison
AMA Arenacross Series Championship Taking Shape Heading into Third Round from Madison
Two Nights of Action Slated at Alliant Energy Center
AURORA, Ill. – The second round of the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series produced a pair of highly-competitive nights of competition from Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena. Following big wins by Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers and FMF Power/Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson, the championship picture in the premier Arenacross class is beginning to take shape, and it isn’t surprising to see three former title holders leading the way.
With two wins to his credit through three races, reigning series champion Bowers brings a nine-point lead into Madison, Wis., and the Alliant Energy Center. Gibson, the 2009 champion, occupies second in the standings, while 2010 title winner, and Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki rider Josh Demuth sits just one additional point behind in third. While his pair of victories serve as Bowers’ biggest advantage, he also remains the only rider in the series to secure a podium result in each main event. Both Gibson and Demuth share two podium finishes apiece, subsequently placing them within striking distance of Bowers in the early going.
The opening night in Baltimore featured a showdown between the Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki duo of Bowers and Demuth. After strong starts from both riders, the pair simply pulled away from the field. Despite missing out on the chance to slip past his teammate, Demuth kept Bowers honest throughout all 25 laps and showed he will be a factor in the title fight.
In night two, Gibson took his turn in the spotlight, looking to rekindle his championship magic from 2009 and bounce back from a fourth place finish the previous evening. Finding his way into the lead just a handful of laps into the main event, Gibson was under heavy pressure from Bowers throughout the race. However, he withstood all his rival had to offer, making a huge statement in the championship.
With three of the most successful riders of the past three seasons within 10 points of one another coming into two nights of competition this weekend, the excitement is guaranteed to continue. While Bowers has shown he’s prepared to defend his title by any means necessary, both Gibson and Demuth have shown they will not be intimidated by their rival’s aggressive style. Both riders have responded well to pressure early in the season, and will undertake any challenge every time the gate drops. Should any of the riders falter, Foremost Insurance/Spinechillers/Stormlake Honda’s Nathan Skaggs and Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki’s Chad Johnson will take full advantage, with both riders boasting a podium finish of their own this season.
The 2012 AMA Arenacross Series visit to Madison signifies the first visit to the “Badger State” in nine years, and with a strong motocross following throughout the region, the intimate action of the sport will be well received.
After an exciting opening round in Baltimore, the Eastern Regional Arenacross Lites season will continue in Madison. Currently, Motocross Ministries Kawasaki’s Michael McDade leads the way in the standings after a stellar opening weekend in which he posted first and second-place finishes.
The Madison Arenacross kicks off back-to-back nights of professional action from the Alliant Energy Center on Friday, November 11, before coming to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday, November 12. Opening ceremonies for both nights begin at 7 p.m. CT.
Previous Round Results:
1st Mariner Arena – Baltimore, Md.
November 4-5, 2011
Round 2 of 12
Arenacross Class Results Night One (Baltimore, Md.)
- Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki
- Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki
- Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
- Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda
- Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda
- Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM
- Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki
- Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., KTM
- Shawn Rife, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Honda
- Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM
Arenacross Lites Class Results Night One (Baltimore, Md.)
1. Ryan Smith, Axton, Va., Suzuki
2. Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki
3. Cody Robbins, Huntersville, N.C., Kawasaki
4. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., KTM
5. Daniel Blair, Lodi, Calif., KTM
6. Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki
7. T.J. Phillips, New Castle, Pa., Kawasaki
8. Maxx Malatia, Itasca, Ill., Honda
9. Tony Archer, Waldorf, Md., Suzuki
10. Kevin Markwardt, Freeport, Ill., KTM
Arenacross Class Results Night Two (Baltimore, Md.)
- Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda
- Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki
- Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda
- Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki
- Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki
- Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
- Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM
- Shawn Rife, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Honda
- Kurt McCabe, Marion, Iowa, Honda
- Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., KTM
Arenacross Lites Class Results Night Two (Baltimore, Md.)
- Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki
- Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM
- Aviery Hickey, Southlake, Texas, Honda
- Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., KTM
- Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., KTM
- Austin Coon, Spencer, W.Va., Honda
- Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM
- Cody Robbins, Huntersville, N.C., Kawasaki
- Maxx Malatia, Itasca, Ill., Honda
- David Buller, Acworth, Ga., KTM
Current Point Standings:
Arenacross Class Points (After Race 3 of 19)
- Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 72
- Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda – 63
- Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki – 62
- Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 54
- Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 42
- Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM – 41
- Shawn Rife, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Honda – 39
- Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki – 36
- Tyler Bright, Hamer, S.C., KTM – 30
- Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM – 26
Eastern Regional Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 2 of 10)
- Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki – 47
- Cody Robbins, Huntersville, N.C., Kawasaki – 33
- Ryan Smith, Axton, Va., Suzuki – 25
- Maxx Malatia, Itasca, Ill., Honda – 25
- Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM – 22
- T.J. Phillips, New Castle, Pa., Kawasaki – 21
- Travis Sewell, Westfield, Ind., KTM – 21
- Sean Lipanovich, Tallahssee, Fla., Suzuki – 17
- Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki – 16
- Austin Coon, Spencer, W. Va., Honda – 15
2012 Dash for Cash Winners:
Des Moines – Zach Ames
Baltimore Night One – Tyler Bowers
Baltimore Night Two – Tyler Bowers
Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross Series returns for the 2012 season! To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com.
For more information on the 2011/2012 AMA Arenacross Series, log on to www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short: brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or 949-365-5750.
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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 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz®, 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.