Check out Grand National Champ Jake Johnson’s take on his competitors in the upcoming AMA Grand National Championship over at Cycle News.
Archive for March 8th, 2011
(NEWS RELEASE)
AURORA, Ill. (March 8, 2011) – With a series-leading seven victories, Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers has a target on his back as the 2011 AMA Arenacross Series returns to Greenville, S.C., and the BI-LO Center on Saturday night.
Bowers currently leads the Arenacross class championship and is in the midst of a five-race winning streak. His most recent performance last weekend from Wichita was arguably his most impressive to date, overcoming a bad start in which he sat outside the top five. Despite the adversity, Bowers battled through a talented field of riders to take the lead with just over a handful of laps to go.
With 10 podium efforts in 12 races, Bowers continues to put forth one of the most impressive seasons in AMA Arenacross Series history. Currently, his advantage over TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson sits at 31 points while his Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki teammate Chad Johnson continues to surge and sits just an additional four points behind on the heels of back-to-back runner-up efforts.
After a strong start to the season, Gibson has experienced some trouble the last couple weeks and while his closest rival in the championship continues to excel, he’s looking to bounce back and get back on top of the box. While his overall effort this season is still exceptional and in most cases would be enough to possibly put him at the forefront of the championship, Bowers is in the midst of one of the most impressive runs the AMA Arenacross Series has ever seen and Gibson is aware that the time is now to make his move.
“Tyler is simply incredible right now,” said AMA Arenacross Series Director Jayme Dalsing. “He’s been at the top of his game recently and while Jeff has been right there with him, the bad luck he’s experienced the last couple weeks has hurt him in the standings. With Chad Johnson closing in as well, I think you’ll see Gibson come out firing for the last five weeks of the season.”
The AMA Arenacross Series round from Greenville is the first in the city since the 2007 season and the much anticipated return will be highlighted by Bowers and his exceptional competition in the Arenacross class. Additionally, the Arenacross Lites Eastern Regional Championship will return to action after a three-week break.
Currently, Foremost Insurance/Spinechillers Racing/HondaofFairfield.com’s Patrick Massie sits atop the standings and with one win to his credit already this season, he’ll be looking to inch even closer to bringing home a title to the veteran Spinechillers Racing squad.
Advance tickets are available for the Greenville Arenacross at the BI-LO Center Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone and ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 more the day of the race.
Arenacross Class Points (After Race 12 of 19)
- Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 277
- Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda – 246
- Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 242
- Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki – 189
- Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda – 179
- Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., Yamaha – 164
- Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 161
- Cole Siebler, Emmett, Idaho, Ho nda – 153
- Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Yamaha – 140
- Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki – 130
Arenacross Lites Class Eastern Regional Points (After Race 6 of 10)
- Patrick Massie, Washington Court, Ohio, Honda – 103
- Adam Gulley, Jonesburg, Mo., Kawasaki – 95
- Steve Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki – 86
- Austin Coon, Spencer, W.V., Honda – 78
- Tyler Sehr, Belleville, Ill., Honda – 65
- Kyle Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Suzuki – 56
- Scott Zont, Algonquin, Ill., Honda – 47
- Austin Primavera, Larue, Ohio, Suzuki – 43
- Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda – 38
- Kenneth Henry, Ashtabula, Ohio, KTM – 36
New for 2011! Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross Series. To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short at 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.
(NEW RELEASE)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—After being held for the first time in event history on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway in 2010, the AMA Pro Racing Flat Track doubleheader returns to the “World Center of Racing” on Thursday and Friday, March 10-11.
The stars of Flat Track racing such as Henry Wiles, Sammy Halbert, Jake Johnson and Kenny Coolbeth will battle for a coveted Daytona victory on the quarter-mile dirt track located outside Turns 1 and 2.
In 2010, Halbert and Johnson made Daytona history by becoming the first riders to win Flat Track main events on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway. Halbert won the 25-lap Expert Main event on the first night of competition while Johnson took the checkered flag on the final night.
“Winning the first race at the new Daytona Flat Track was really special and one of the biggest moments in my career,” Halbert said, “It’s something you will never be able to do again, so I’m glad to get it done when I did. Now I’m looking forward to going back and trying to do it again this year, get on top of the box.”
The 2011 Daytona Flat Track will be an emotional one for seven-time AMA Grand National Champion and Motorcycle Hall of Famer Chris Carr, who will retire following the 2011 season.
The legendary Carr has the distinction of having raced the Daytona Flat Track at all three venues — old Memorial Stadium, Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium and the current Daytona Flat Track.
“2011 will be my final season as a competitive flat tracker in Grand National racing,” Carr said. “I’ve raced at every short track they’ve had to offer at Daytona.
“We all know the importance of being down here during Daytona 200 Week because a lot of our industry is down here along with a good majority of the motorcycle media, so it’s always important to do well at Daytona.
“Everybody loves coming down here, where we usually enjoy chamber of commerce weather, simply because we’re a Midwest-populated sport. It’s always good to get out of winter and come down here for an early spring.”
Tickets for each night of Daytona Flat Track racing are $25 for reserved seats, $20 for general admission standing room only and can be purchased online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter (www.twitter.com/disupdates) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway).
(NEWS RELEASE)
JARED MEES REPORT
VOLUSIA COUNTY – Barberville, FL. 6 March 2011
I have always had pretty good luck at this place. A few years back I was in races three days in a row and won them all.
This year rain was being forecast so things were delayed a bit. Typical Volusia, sketchy in practice, got better by the Heat races, really skinny groove, hard to pass. The hole shot is 95% of the race.
Practice went ok for me in both classes—wasn’t setting the world on fire or anything, but we were there. I was 3rd off the pole in the 450 Heat race but won it over Brandon Robinson who was going good. I also won the 750 Heat race where I was sitting 2nd off the pole. I did not do a whole lot to either bike as they both felt pretty good.
In the 450 Main Event I got a good jump and got by Brad Baker on the 3rd lap. It felt like I was going to get away but going into turn three I slipped up bad and it allowed both Baker and Halbert to get by. I worked my way back by Baker and caught Sammy but it was too late—the checkered flag was out.
In the 750 Main I got another good jump with everyone, but Chris Carr got the hole shot. I rode behind Matt Weidman and Carr for a long time with Robbie Pearson trying to ride around me as well. He slipped the groove and then Weidman went around the outside of Chris going into turn 1. I was all over Carr as Weidman was pulling away. Right as I was going underneath Carr, his motor expired. I had some ground to make up on Weidman. In two laps I was all over him and two laps later I was by him coming for the white flag. I was able to hold it together to win it. Felt good to end the weekend with a win.
We have a few days off before the two big GNC races so we are going to be preparing for that. Stay tuned and thank you all.
Jammin’ Jared Mees # 9
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