2011 AMA Arenacross
The 2011 AMA Arenacross Series enters it’s final month of competition this weekend, with its 11th round of action from Council Bluffs, Iowa’s Mid-America Center.
After grabbing his sixth consecutive win last weekend in Greenville, S.C., Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers is looking to continue his dominance over the Arenacross class field.
In Greenville, Bowers made quick work of both of his championship rivals, TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson and his Babbitt’s Monster Energy teammate Chad Johnson, to lead the majority of the main event and securing his series-leading eighth victory.
Bowers’ incredible season now includes 11 podium efforts in 13 races, and not since the days of Buddy Antunez has the AMA Arenacross Series seen such authority.
Jayme Dalsing (Arenacross Series Director) says: "I think Tyler is riding more aggressive now than he has all season. He’s attacking the main events and over the last two rounds has really had to work for the wins. He just wants this championship."
Since breaking his leg last season while leading the championship, Bowers’ motivation the entire 2011 campaign has been to take care of unfinished business. Thanks to his recent string of consecutive wins and one of the most statistically dominant seasons in history, he’s in prime position to do so thanks to a 38-point lead.
Behind him, Gibson and Johnson are in a heated battle for the runner-up spot in the championship. Johnson’s four straight second place finishes have led to a surge in the standings and now he and Gibson, a three-race winner this season, are all square heading into the season’s home stretch.
In Arenacross Lites class action, the Western Regional Championship returns after a one-week break. Currently, Chad Cook holds a 30-point advantage of his own over the field and will look to extend that gap this weekend. Also garnering attention is rookie Vicki Golden, who’s historic season continues to evolve after qualifying for back-to-back main events. With a 13th-place finish to her credit, Golden will be looking to break into the top 10.
Council Bluffs marks the first of two visits to Iowa over the next four rounds and will challenge the riders with two nights of racing. All the excitement from the Mid-America Center kicks off on Friday night, followed by another evening of bar-banging action. Both shows start at 7 p.m. CT.
Advance tickets are available for the Council Bluffs Arenacross at the Mid-America Center Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone and ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 more the day of the race.
Arenacross Class Points (After Race 13 of 19)
- Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 302
- Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda – 264
- Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 264
- Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki – 203
- Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda – 199
- Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 177
- Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., Yamaha – 171
- Cole Siebler, Emmett, Idaho, Honda – 153
- Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Yamaha – 152
- Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki – 145
Western Regional Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 7 of 10)
- Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki – 138
- Tanner Moore, Auburn, Kan., KTM – 108
- Travis Smith, Lancaster, Calif., Yamaha – 98
- Aviery Hickey, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki – 89
- Tiger Lacey, Spring Creek, Nev., Kawasaki – 75
- Tanner Young, Marland, Okla., Yamaha – 73
- Jeremy Huddleston, Eustace, Texas, KTM – 65
- Bobby Fitch, Littleton, Colo., Honda – 44
- Ricky Yorks, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha – 42
- Noa Quinabo, Riverside, Calif., Suzuki – 42
New for 2011! Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross Series. To follow the intense racing action live, log onto Arenacross.com.