With Bowers atop Standings, AMA Arenacross Series Makes Debut from Cedar Park Center This Weekend

Jan 24, 2012, 04:41AM. By Bikeland Staff

Last Saturday, Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers extended his lead in the Arenacross Class standings by grabbing his eighth win of the season. This weekend, Bowers leads the world’s best arenacross riders into the eighth round of the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series season with two nights of action slated for the championship’s debut from Cedar Park, Texas, and the Cedar Park Center, on Friday, January 27, and Saturday, January 28.

At the series’ previous stop in Dayton, Ohio, Bowers relied on patience to lead him to victory. FMF Power/Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson, who currently sits second in the Arenacross Class standings, led the majority of the 25-lap main event, but fell to the ground entering the final five laps of the race, allowing Bowers to take control and extend his championship lead to 15 points, as Gibson was forced to settle for second.

With five rounds and seven races remaining in the 2012 season, the championship battle in the Arenacross Class is sure to intensify. Gibson has shown the speed to minimize his deficit to Bowers, but misfortune at the previous two stops has hurt the 2009 champion, who has been on the receiving end of a 15-point swing in Bowers’ favor through the past three main events. Just two weeks ago following the fifth round of the season, Gibson shared the top spot in the standings with Bowers.

While the Arenacross Class competitors continue to wage war, the Western Regional Arenacross Lites Championship returns to action following a one-week break. Only three main events have been completed in the nine-race title fight, but at the last round from Topeka, the championship tightened up. Currently, Letko KTM’s Tanner Moore and House of Kawasaki’s Chad Cook share the points lead and will both wear the red number plate this weekend.

Additionally, Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki’s Vick Golden will continue her comeback from injury, looking to qualify for her first main event of the 2012 season.

Both nights of action from the AMA Arenacross Series debut from Cedar Park are set to begin with opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. CT.

Previous Round Results:

Nutter Center – Dayton, Ohio
January 21, 2012
Round 7 of 12

Arenacross Class Results (Dayton, Ohio)
Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki
Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda
Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda
Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki
Cole Siebler, Emmett, Idaho, Honda
Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM
Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM
Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki
Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM

Eastern Regional Arenacross Lites Class Results (Dayton, Ohio)
1. Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki
2. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM
3. Michael McDade, Edingburg, Pa., Kawasaki
4. Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki
5. Patrick Massie, Washington Court House, Ohio, Honda
6. Michael Lang, Saugerties, N.Y., Honda
7. Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda
8. Daniel Blair, Lodi, Calif., KTM
9. Kevin Markwardt, Freeport, Ill., Honda
10. Jake Locks, Dixon, Calif., Kawasaki

Arenacross Class Points (After Race 12 of 19)
Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki (8 wins) – 260
Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda (2 wins) – 245
Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki (2 wins) – 218
Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM – 186
Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 173
Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki – 164
Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM – 128
Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki – 127
Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., KTM – 101
Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki – 86

Western Regional Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 3 of 9)
Tanner Moore, Auburn, Kan., KTM – 47
Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki – 47
Kevin Markwardt, Freeport, Ill., Honda – 36
Brandon Marley, McEwen, Tenn., KTM – 19
Cody Church, Grand Junction, Colo., Kawasaki – 18
Aviery Hickey, Southlake, Texas, Honda – 11
Shawn Rife, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Honda – 7
Devin Reed, Indianola, Iowa, Honda – 6
Jake Locks, Dixon, Calif., KTM – 6
Jeremy Huddleston, Eustace, Texas, KTM – 5

Eastern Regional Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 9 of 10)
Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki (1 win) – 176
Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM (3 wins) – 159
Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatcong, N.J., KTM (2 win) – 150
Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki (1 win) – 140
Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM – 102
Travis Sewell, Westfield, Ind., KTM – 91
Austin Coon, Spencer, W. Va., Honda – 77
Daniel Blair, Lodi, Calif., KTM – 75
Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda – 72
Maxx Malatia, Itasca, Ill., Honda – 58

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
Grand Rapids Night One – Zach Ames
Grand Rapids Night Two – Jeff Gibson
Topeka Night One – Chad Johnson
Topeka Night Two – Nathan Skaggs
Dayton – Jeff Gibson

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