AMA Arenacross Series Rings in the New Year with Return to Grand Rapids' Van Andel Arena

2012-01-04 21:54
With the holiday season officially over, the AMA Arenacross Series is ready to kick off 2012 with a return to action, hosting its fifth round of the championship this weekend from Grand Rapids, Mich., and Van Andel Arena. Two nights of action will highlight the series’ first visit to one of the sport’s most storied cities since the 2010 season. Currently holding a six-point lead in the standings, FMF Power/Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson will lead the field into action on Friday, January 6, and Saturday, January 7.

At the series’ previous stop in Wilkes Barre, Pa., back in December, Gibson maintained his points lead with a pair of solid efforts, including a runner-up finish on the opening night. However, he lost some ground to his two closest competitors in the championship, as the Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis duo of Tyler Bowers and Chad Johnson each claimed big wins over the course of two nights of competition.

Currently, just 15 points separate the top three riders in the championship. The trio of Gibson, Bowers and Johnson have established themselves as the riders to beat to this point in the 2012 season, serving as the only winners through the first seven main events of the championship. Bowers’ series-leading four wins gives him an upper hand as the season moves forward, but Gibson’s impressive consistency has him out front.

Just beyond the top three in the standings sits Michigan native Kelly Smith, of Ludington. The hometown boy who rides for Team Faith KTM has been on the verge of victory on several occasions this season. With the support of his family and friends, Smith will surely be as confident as ever coming into this weekend’s action, in search of that breakthrough win that can vault him back into the championship picture.

Beyond the premier Arenacross Class, the fourth round of the Eastern Regional Arenacross Lites Class Championship will be the site of some intriguing storylines. Dragon Racing Fuels/AG Motorsports KTM’s Michael Willard has come on strong in recent weeks, winning three main events, including a sweep of the previous round in Wilkes Barre. However, despite his success, he sits just five points ahead of Motocross Ministries Kawasaki’s Michael McDade, who has been a picture of consistency. While the battle for the championship lead will wear on, many eyes will be on the season debut of Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki’s Vicki Golden. The Golden Girl of Arenacross has sat out the first portion of the season due to injury, but is set to make her debut this weekend in preparation for a run at the Western Regional Arenacross Lites Class Championship, which will resume next weekend. After making history last season, Golden will be looking to rewrite the record books some more on Friday and Saturday night.

The last time the AMA Arenacross Series paid visit to Van Andel Arena to kick off the 2010 season, Johnson and Bowers walked away victorious, giving the Muskegon-based Babbitt’s squad a clean sweep of the weekend. In Arenacross Lites Class action, Kurt McCabe and Taylor Futrell secured main event wins.

Back-to-back nights of action from Van Andel Arena kick off on Friday, January 6, before coming to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday, January 7. Opening ceremonies for both nights begin at 7 p.m. ET.

Previous Round Results:

Mohegan Sun Arena – Wilkes Barre, Pa.
December 9-10, 2011
Round 4 of 12
Arenacross Class Results Night One (Wilkes Barre, Pa.)

Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda
Cole Siebler, Emmett, Idaho, Honda
Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM
Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki
Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki
Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki
Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., KTM
Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM
Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki
Arenacross Lites Class Results Night One (Wilkes Barre, Pa.)

1. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM
2. Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki
3. Austin Coon, Spencer, W. Va., Honda
4. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., KTM
5. Dylan Slusser, Butler, Pa., Honda
6. Tony Archer, Waldorf, Md., KTM
7. Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki
8. Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda
9. Michael Lang, Saugerties, N.Y., Honda
10. Maxx Malatia, Itasca, Ill., Honda
Arenacross Class Results Night Two (Wilkes Barre, Pa.)

Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki
Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM
Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda
Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM
Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki
Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda
Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki
Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki
Ryan Zimmer, Fuquay Varina, N.C., Honda
Arenacross Lites Class Results Night Two (Wilkes Barre, Pa.)

Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM
Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki
Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki
Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., KTM
Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM
Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda
Ryan Zimmer, Fuquay Varina, N.C., Honda
Austin Coon, Spencer, W. Va., Honda
Austin Primavera, Larue, Ohio, Suzuki
Travis Delnicki, Woodstock, Conn., Suzuki
Arenacross Class Points (After Race 7 of 19)

Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda (2 wins) – 144
Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki (4 wins) – 138
Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki (1 win) – 129
Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki – 127
Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM – 117
Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 86
Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki – 79
Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM – 78
Tyler Bright, Hamer, S.C., KTM – 56
Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM – 55
Eastern Regional Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 6 of 10)

Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM (3 wins) – 119
Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki (1 win) – 114
Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., KTM – 100
Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki – 88
Travis Sewell, Westfield, Ind., KTM – 69
Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM – 59
Austin Coon, Spencer, W. Va., Honda – 48
Maxx Malatia, Itasca, Ill., Honda – 45
T.J. Phillips, New Castle, Pa., Kawasaki – 44
Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda – 38

2012 Dash for Cash Winners:
Des Moines – Zach Ames
Baltimore Night One – Tyler Bowers
Baltimore Night Two – Tyler Bowers
Madison Night One – Willy Browning
Madison Night Two – Jeff Gibson
Wilkes Barre Night One – Tyler Bowers
Wilkes Barre Night Two – Nathan Skaggs

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.

Never miss out on the latest news! Follow the AMA Arenacross Series on Facebook and Twitter! Log on to http://www.facebook.com/AMAarenacross and http://twitter.com/arenacross today!

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.

Source: Feld Motor Sports

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