AURORA, Ill. (February 3, 2012) – The AMA Arenacross Series is preparing to leave its mark on another new venue tomorrow night, and without a doubt, there isn’t a rider looking forward to the opportunity to race inside Rupp Arena, in Lexington, Ky., more than reigning series champion and current Arenacross Class points leader Tyler Bowers.

 

The Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis rider has experienced a tremendously successful season, boasting a series-leading nine wins. Bowers hails from nearby Danville, which is a short 35-mile drive from Lexington. Sure, the AMA Arenacross Series has competed in Kentucky in the past, but this is Bowers’ back yard.

 

Like Bowers, who currently wears the number one plate as the defending champion, the permanent tenants of Rupp Arena, the University of Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Team, is also the number one team in the country. The state of Kentucky and the city of Lexington is passionate about its sports and the Wildcats program has established a legacy of success, winning a total of seven NCAA National Championships.

 

While Bowers has only one title to his credit, he is looking to establish a similar legacy as one of the most prolific athletes in the history of the AMA Arenacross Series. Since coming to the championship full time in 2010, Bowers has established himself as one of the most consistent competitors in the sport. He continues to find ways to improve, despite being faced with the arguably the toughest and most deeply-talented field of competitors in the history of the AMA Arenacross Series.

 

As one of its proverbial hometown sons, the city of Lexington and the surrounding Northern Kentucky region are sure to embrace Bowers and come out in droves to Rupp Arena to watch him take on the world’s best Arenacross competitors. Additionally, they will come in awe of the spectacle that is the AMA Arenacross Series, converting one of the most recognizable arena floors into a man-made dirt battleground.

 

While a large contingent of family, friends and local supporters are sure to be on hand to watch Bowers go for his 10^th victory of the 2012 season, many of the champion’s closest rivals will be eager to ruin the homecoming. FMF Power/Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson is hungry to get back on top of the box, as is Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki’s Chad Johnson. Both riders sit within striking distance of Bowers in the championship, and are looking to make inroads as the season enters its final month.

 

Additionally, Team Faith KTM’s Kelly Smith is looking to keep the momentum going from his big win one week ago, becoming just the fourth different winner in the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series.

 

In the Arenacross Lites Class, an Eastern Regional Champion will be crowned tomorrow night. Currently, Motostar Kawasaki’s Michael McDade holds a 17-point lead in the championship thanks to tremendous consistency and he’ll be gunning for the win to set a high-energy tone for the rest of the evening.

 

Rupp Arena is the iconic venue of Lexington. Opening in 1976, it serves as the centerpiece of the Lexington Center, a local convention, shopping and entertainment center. With an official capacity of 23,500, it is viewed as the largest basketball arena in the Unites States. On Saturday night, the rafters will be filled with the roar of engines while thousands of fans pack into the stands to witness one of the most unique forms of racing on the planet for the first time.

 

The action commences for the inaugural Lexington Arenacross tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET. Amateur Day concludes an exciting weekend of action on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m. ET

 

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.

 

Never miss out on the latest news and updates from every stop of the 2012 season! Follow the AMA Arenacross Series on Facebook and Twitter! Log on to http://www.facebook.com/AMAarenacross and http://twitter.com/arenacross today!

 

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.

 

Irvine, Calif., (January 30, 2012) – The AMA Arenacross series stopped in Cedar Park, Texas this weekend for back-to-back nights of racing at Cedar Park Center. Babbitt’s Monster Energy Amsoil Kawasaki’s Tyler Bowers raced to a hard-earned third on Friday night after nearly landing on another rider and crashing early in the race. On Saturday night, Bowers could barely walk from the crash, but that didn’t stop him from grabbing the holeshot and leading every lap of the main event to take his ninth win of the season. Teammate Chad Johnson battled from the back of the field on Friday to finish sixth, but turned it around to finish on the podium Saturday. Johnson remains third in the points standings after a third-place finish on Saturday.

 

Monster Energy Kawasaki Under the Tent

 

Earning Each Position

 

Bowers was looking to start a win streak this weekend in Cedar Park and grabbed a third-place start on Friday night. He was quickly making time on the leaders until the second place rider came up short on the finish line jump and fell right into Bowers line. Manhandling the bike, Bowers was able to miss landing on the rider, but clipped his bike sending Bowers to the ground. Bowers remounted in 14th place and knew he had his work cut out for him to get anywhere near the front.

 

“I hit the finish line looking to set up for the pass, but the leader cased the landing and came to a dead stop,” said Bowers. “It looked like I was going to land right on him, but luckily he fell to the opposite side that I was coming down. I was hurting pretty good but the adrenaline kept me going and I just tried to stay consistent every lap, especially in the whoops. I didn’t even know I got third until they pulled me to the podium after the race.”

 

Ups and Downs

 

The hard Texas dirt made for a tough track in Cedar Park which all riders seemed to struggle with. Johnson was looking to get back to his winning ways and got off to a mid-pack start on Friday night, but could only manage to get to sixth on the slippery track.

 

“The track was rock hard and slippery in some spots which made it tough to get in a rhythm,” said Johnson. “We changed suspension settings throughout the night, but just couldn’t quite get comfortable enough to run the pace of the leaders.”

 

 

Wire to Wire

 

On Saturday night, Bowers was in a lot of pain after injuring his ankle in his get-off the night before and could barely walk around the pits. Luckily, riding was when it felt best and the pain didn’t faze him once the gate dropped. He knew in order to get the win, he would have to stay out of trouble.

 

“Saturday night I led every lap I completed,” said Bowers. “My KX™250F got me off to two great starts in the heat race and main event, which allowed me to get away early, that way I didn’t have to deal with anyone or push it on my sore ankle.”

 

Consistency is Key

 

Looking to bounce back from an off-night on Friday, Johnson worked to get back in tune with his KX250F during the heat race and felt comfortable and confident lining up for the main. Off the start he got shuffled back, but contrary to the previous night, Johnson was able to lay down smooth laps and make his way to the front. Johnson finished third on the night and remains third in the points standings.

 

“We had a much stronger main on Saturday night,” said Johnson. “I could comfortably push it lap after lap and was able to reach the podium. Arenacross is all about consistency, so if we stay on the box throughout the last few rounds we should be able to reel in the leaders in the points chase.”

 

Last East Round

 

The AMA Arenacross series heads east for the final time this season on February 4-5, 2012 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. For Bowers, Lexington is a hometown race so he’ll be looking to take his tenth win of the season in front of friends and family. Johnson excels in the loamy, rutted East coast dirt as well and will be looking to take his third win of the season.

 

Results

 

AMA Arenacross Series

Cedar Park Center - Cedar Park, Texas

January 27-28, 2012

 

Arenacross Class Results – Friday

1. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM

2. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda

3. TYLER BOWERS, DANVILLE, KY., BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY AMSOIL KAWASAKI

4. Cole Siebler, Emmett, Idaho, Honda

5. ZACH AMES, PROSPECT, OHIO, KAWASAKI

6. CHAD JOHNSON, RHINELANDER, WIS., BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY AMSOIL KAWASAKI

7. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM

8. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda

9. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM 

10. Brad Ripple, Cypress, Texas, Honda

 

Arenacross Class - Saturday

1. TYLER BOWERS, DANVILLE, KY., BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY AMSOIL KAWASAKI

2. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda

3. CHAD JOHNSON, RHINELANDER, WIS., BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY AMSOIL KAWASAKI

4. ZACH AMES, PROSPECT, OHIO, KAWASAKI

5. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM

6. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM

7. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM

8. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatcong, N.J., KTM

9. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM

10. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda

 

Arenacross Class Points

1. TYLER BOWERS, DANVILLE, KY., BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY AMSOIL KAWASAKI, 305

2. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda, 289

3. CHAD JOHNSON, RHINELANDER, WIS., BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY AMSOIL KAWASAKI, 253

4. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM, 227

5. ZACH AMES, PROSPECT, OHIO, KAWASAKI, 198

6. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda, 197

7. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM, 155

8. JOSH DEMUTH, N. RICHLAND, TEXAS, BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY AMSOIL KAWASAKI, 127

9. Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., KTM, 116

10. Michael Willard, Newark,Ohio, KTM, 101

Irvine, Calif., (January 21, 2012) - Babbitt’s Monster Energy/Amsoil Kawasaki’s Tyler Bowers collected his astonishing eighth win of the AMA Arenacross Series on Saturday night at Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. After a fifth-place start, Bowers cautiously made his way to the front of the field on the rutted, technical track. Bowers would get handed the lead after the leader crashed, giving Bowers his eighth win of the season and a comfortable 15-point lead in the points standings. Bowers’ teammate, Chad Johnson could only manage ninth in the main event, but remains third in the points standings with two wins.

 

Taking Advantage

Bowers is known for hunting down the leaders by pushing the limits, but Saturday night’s track did not allow for that. The dirt in Dayton, Ohio was very soft which made for a very rutted track that was difficult to pass on. Bowers got off to a fifth-place start and slowly made his way to the front of the field. There is a fine line between going fast and going out of control as showed with the technical track claiming riders every lap. Once into second, Bowers was happy with his position until the leader lost the front end in one of the corners, handing Bowers the lead.

“The track was really fun this weekend, but it wasn’t the easiest to race on,” said Bowers. “I got a good start around fifth and wanted to make my way to the front, but it was difficult to find a spot to make a pass due to the ruts. The rhythm sections and corners were so rutted that you had to be on your game or you would end up on the ground. I didn’t want to risk pushing it and jeopardize my points lead, but the leader ended up pushing too hard and going down, handing me the win.”

 

Taking the Punches

After last week’s win in Topeka, Kan., Johnson was ready to carry the momentum into Dayton, Ohio and put his Kawasaki KX™250F back on the podium. A prepared and confident Johnson hit the track for practice, but quickly found himself on the ground in one of the rhythm sections. In the heat race, he would crash in the same rhythm lane which gave him a poor gate choice for the main. Bruised and sore, but never defeated, Johnson pushed through the main event and ended the night in ninth place. Johnson struggled with the track all night, but still sits third in the points and looks forward to next weekend.

“I was excited coming off last week’s win,” said Johnson. “But first thing in practice I went down in a rhythm section and in the heat race I threw myself on the ground again. The track was really rutted and slippery, which made it tough to keep your line in the corners and jumps. I was disappointed there wasn’t much for whoops because I like to make a lot of my passes there. You had to capitalize on other rider’s mistakes in order to make a pass.”

 

Tricky Conditions

The track at the Nutter Center was well received by the riders even though it made racing difficult. The soft, rutted dirt became slippery as the night went on which meant riders had to have their bikes dialed and pay close attention to line choice.

“The track was tricky enough to ride by yourself,” said Johnson. “Making passes was pretty sketchy because the ruts on the jump faces would send you from one side of the track to the other, which made it difficult to say the least. Most of the passes happened when riders made mistakes, so I just tried to stay flawless. A lot of guys struggled with the soft dirt, but my KX250F was a rocket ship out there and pulled so hard in ruts.”

 

Back to the West

Next weekend, the AMA Arenacross Series heads from the East coast back to the West coast at Cedar Park Center in Cedar Park, Tex., for a double-header weekend. Bowers is looking to stretch out his 15-point lead and tack on another win to his tally, while Johnson will be looking to bounce back to the front of the field and challenge his teammate for the win.

 

Results

AMA Arenacross Series
Nutter Center – Dayton, Ohio
January 21, 2012

Arenacross Class Results
1. TYLER BOWERS, DANVILLE, KY., BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY/AMSOIL KAWASAKI
2. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda
3. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda
4. ZACH AMES, PROSPECT, OHIO, KAWASAKI
5. Cole Siebler, Emmett, Idaho, Honda
6. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM
7. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM
8. Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki
9. CHAD JOHNSON, RHINELANDER, WIS., BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY/AMSOIL KAWASAKI
10. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM

Arenacross Class Points
1. TYLER BOWERS, DANVILLE, KY., BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY/AMSOIL KAWASAKI, 260
2. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda, 245
3. CHAD JOHNSON, RHINELANDER, WIS., BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY/AMSOIL KAWASAKI, 218
4. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM, 186
5. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda, 173
6. ZACH AMES, PROSPECT, OHIO, KAWASAKI, 164
7. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM, 128
8. JOSH DEMUTH, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY/AMSOIL KAWASAKI, 127
9. Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., KTM, 101
10. Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki, 86