AX Heads to Baltimore AMA Supercross Great Ezra Lusk Headed to AMA Arenacross Series

Courtesy of Feld Entertainment
AURORA, Ill. (January 12, 2010) – After a memorable opening weekend in Grand Rapids, Mich., the AMA Arenacross Series continues its nationwide trek throughout the 2010 season this weekend at Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena and round two of the 12-race season. Former AMA supercross star and racing veteran Ezra Lusk is prepared to come out of retirement and make a full-time return to the sport he loves on a more intimate and in-your-face style of racing when he joins the AMA Arenacross Series.

Achieving success in the big stadiums of AMA Supercross throughout the ‘90s, Lusk is returning to competition in the action-packed, technical confines of the AMA Arenacross Series for 2010. As a member of the dominant Tuf Honda team that has won the last three AMA Arenacross class titles, Lusk will join teammates Brock Sellards and reigning AMA Arenacross Series champion Jeff Gibson for his official series debut at the legendary Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo., January 30-31 for the fourth of 12 rounds this season.

An injury suffered while preparing for the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series forced Lusk to sit on the sidelines as the series got underway, but now the Georgia native affectionately known as Yogi is back and ready to make his first foray into the bar-banging, high-energy competition of the world’s most exciting and intimate form of motorcycle racing.

After a stellar 2010 debut at their team’s hometown race, respective Friday and Saturday night race winners Chad Johnson and Tyler Bowers lead their competitors, sitting atop the standings for Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLube Kawasaki.

Behind them, a potent lineup of challengers await their opportunity to climb atop the podium, including the series’ latest all-star team from reigning three-time series champion Tuf Racing. The 2010 Tuf Honda effort is led by defending series champion Jeff Gibson, who posted a runner-up finish on the opening night of action but suffered his worst performance since racing the AMA Arenacross Series full time last season on Saturday, failing to make the main event. Joining Gibson is perennial championship bridesmaid Brock Sellards along with former supercross star Ezra Lusk who returns from retirement to make his AMA Arenacross Series debut.

Gibson and Sellards were the top two finishers in the AMA Arenacross Series last season and Sellards brings a familiarity with Tuf Honda, racing for the team in 2007. With success and experience in the hands of the riders wearing the number one and two plates, Lusk’s adjustment to the series should be smooth when he joins the 2010 season at the third round in Hampton, Va. Lusk is recovering from a testing injury, forcing him to miss the first two rounds of the year.

Last year in Baltimore, Gibson established himself as a title favorite, extending his early season points lead with a Friday night win while Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda’s Nathan Skaggs continued what would be a breakout season in 2009 by capturing the victory on Saturday.

In the always unpredictable AMA Arenacross Lites class, a pair of premier AMA Arenacross class competitors took advantage of making the adjustment to a new season as Josh Demuth and Gray Davenport took the wins on Friday and Saturday night, respectively.

This weekend marks the second round of the Lites Eastern Regional championship, currently led by Grand Rapids’ Friday night winner and defending Central Regional champion Kurt McCabe.

AMA Arenacross Series Standings

AMA Arenacross Class (After Race 2 of 19)
1. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 43
2. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 41
3. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda – 40
4. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki – 31
5. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 30
6. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Kawasaki – 26
7. Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Honda – 25
8. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., Suzuki – 23
9. Jeff Gibson, Thornville, Ohio, Honda – 22
10. Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki – 20
11. Robbie Reynard, Oklahoma City, Okla., Suzuki – 20

AMA Arenacross Lites Eastern Regional Class (After Race 2 of 9)
1. Kurt McCabe, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Honda – 43
2. Daniel Aulsaybrook, Ortonville, Mich., Kawasaki – 38
3. Taylor Futrell, Clinton, N.C., Honda – 33
4. Devon Pilkington, Virginia Beach, Va., Kawasaki – 30
5. Chad Wages, Frederick, Md., Suzuki – 29
6. A.J. Catanzaro, Middlefield, Conn., Kawasaki – 27
7. Justin Kelly, Lelumia, Ill., Kawasaki – 25
8. Randy Woodring, Spring Lake, Mich., Yamaha – 23
9. Jim Neese, Julian, N.C., Yamaha – 22
10. Ryan Zimmer, Angier, N.C., Honda – 20
11. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Yamaha – 20

A limited number of Gold Circle seating is available.  Kid’s seats just $10 (excluding Gold Circle).  Tickets are available at the 1st Mariner Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, and by phone at 800-551-SEAT.

Tickets for all rounds of the 2010 season can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and www.arenacross.com.

For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.

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 Monster Jam®, SuperBull?, Monster Energy® Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz?, Gravity Slashers?, 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.