AX Interview of the Week: Jeff Gibson
AURORA, Ill. -- Last weekend’s 10th round of the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series season from Fresno proved to be a big night for FMF Power/Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson. The veteran rider led all 25 laps of the Arenacross Class Main Event to grab his third win of the season, and close to within 18 points of series leader Tyler Bowers, who rides for Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis.
This weekend, the penultimate round of the championship will commence from Reno with back-to-back nights of action. With 50 laps of the most intense competition on the planet ahead of both Bowers and Gibson, anything can happen and this championship by no means is even close to being over.
Gibson’s win was huge in terms of momentum, and it makes the 2009 series champion a favorite to continue running at the front of the field on Friday and Saturday night.
Arenacross: Jeff, explain how it feels to come off of your third win this season.
Jeff Gibson: It is definitely good. I’m glad I got a win late in the season since I didn’t get one last year, and I was kind of disappointed in that. So I redeemed myself on that one and this year I’m just blessed and thankful to be in the situation where I am.
AX: What are your thoughts on how you have performed so far this season?
JG: So far this season I am really pleased with myself. I am real happy. I’ve been on the podium quite a few rounds with a couple wins and I’m really happy with the way I have been riding. I’ve been riding like I know I am capable of and I am real happy with that. I’ve been giving it my all and that is all I can ask of myself.
AX: You’re currently only 18 points behind Bowers in the standings, how will this momentum from last weekend carry in to Reno?
JG: We will see. It’s like any other race. I know I have some momentum now. I got a win, so we will just see what happens this weekend. I am just going to give it my all and treat it like any other race and do the best I possibly can.
AX: You have been extremely consistent this season. Do you think you will have a chance to take the points lead away from Bowers before the season ends?
JG: I sure hope so. It’s a long series. We still have three rounds left and it’s going to be really tough. He (Bowers) is definitely riding really well himself, he’s been on the gas these past couple weekends. It’s definitely not going to be an easy task.
AX: Being a veteran of the sport, explain some of the things that have really impressed you about some of the new “up-and-coming” Arenacross riders.
JG: The new up and comers, those are the ones that really push me to my limit too. Those guys are really fast. They definitely know how to get on the edge and really turn the throttle. They have the sprint speed and that is something that I still need to figure out myself and get a little bit quicker at.
AX: What has been your favorite stop of the season and why?
JG: I would definitely have to say the Dayton round because it was my hometown race and I had so many friends and family there. Dayton is always a good one for me to do, I always really enjoy being there.
AX: What is your main goal for the remaining two weekends of racing?
JG: My main goal is to just put my best foot forward in each race and to just do the best I possibly can. That is my main focus for the whole series and I think it’s been working pretty good so far. Just take it one step at a time and put my best foot forward.
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 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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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.
