Highly-Talented Field Set to Chase 2010 AX Championship Grand Rapids, Mich. Serves as the Site for AMA Arenacross Series’ Opening Weekend

Courtesy of Feld Entertainment
AURORA, Ill. – Tonight the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series will officially drop the gates on its season for two stellar nights of action from Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. Since the Des Moines prequel in November, the world’s top arenacross riders have been chomping at the bit to get back out on the track and mix it up in the world’s most intimate form of dirt-bike racing.

As witnessed in Des Moines, the lineup of riders for 2010 is one of the most impressive in the history of the sport. Tuf Honda’s Jeff Gibson, who led his team to its third consecutive AMA Arenacross Series title, is fresh off his first-career AMA championship and will lead a long list of suitors eager to steal his coveted number one plate.

After a near-perfect performance in Des Moines with a 1-2-3 finish, Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki holds the preseason momentum. Prequel winner Tyler Bowers used his supercross experience to his advantage to dominate in his return to the AMA Arenacross Series and after such an impressive performance is being tabbed as the man to beat in 2010. However, his teammates Chad Johnson and Josh Demuth look to be in the mix as well. No strangers to winning, both Johnson and Demuth are former two-time series champions and kept Bowers honest in Des Moines. With the support of the hometown crowd, the Muskegon-based squad will be a force to be reckoned with on Friday and Saturday night as well as the entire 12-race season.

Former championship runner-up Kelly Smith also made some noise in Des Moines. After a forgettable 2009 in which a broken leg ended his season early, Smith has moved to the new Funmart Cycle Center KTM team and appears more than ready to challenge his rivals. Hailing from nearby Ludington, he will also look to the support of the hometown fans to push him to the front.

In addition to five of the most talented riders in AMA Arenacross Series history, a proven lineup of race winners lurk in the shadows waiting for their chance to break through. Led by veteran Brock Sellards, who is one of the most consistent riders in the history of the sport, this group will surely take their turns at the front of the field, including Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda’s Nathan Skaggs, who posted three wins in 2009, and Triple Effect Kawasaki’s Gray Davenport.

An extra element of excitement will also play a role in the outcome of the 2010 championship thanks to the addition of 450cc four-strokes in the premier AMA Arenacross class. After a short hiatus in which the lighter, less powerful 250cc four-strokes were favored in hopes of closer racing, the “big bikes” return. With a much more powerful engine and greater torque, the 450s create a fine line between riding under control and riding over the edge. With such a small margin between success and failure, it will be key for riders to find and maintain the balance necessary to run up front.

The first gates drop on the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series season tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. The action continues Saturday night from Van Andel Arena at 7p.m. for night two, followed by Amateur Day on Sunday, beginning at 12 noon.

A limited number of Gold Circle seating is available at just $25. Regular adult admission is $20 while kid’s seats are just $10 (excluding Gold Circle.) Tickets are available at Van Andel Arena Box office, all Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at 616-456-3333. $5 discounts are available at Babbitt’s Sports Center.

Tickets are available online at www.arenacross.com and www.ticketmaster.com. For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.