TEAM BABBITT’S/MONSTER ENERGY®/KAWASAKI’S HAYES CLOSES IN ON CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD WITH VICTORY IN WICHITA

Courtesy of Kawasaki

The 2018 AMA Arenacross Championship returned to action at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas on Saturday night for the second round of the Race to the Cup. Team Babbitt's/Monster Energy®/Kawasaki rider Jacob Hayes returned to the winner's circle by topping the 250AX Class and earned an additional championship point by winning the Head 2 Head Challenge, moving within a single point of the championship points lead. GPF Babbitt's Online Kawasaki's Ryan Breece continued his winning ways with his third consecutive victory in the AX Lites West class.

Hayes powered his KX™250F to a second place start in 250AX Main Event 1, just ahead of Kawasaki duo Breece and Travis Sewell in third and fourth, respectively. Hayes pushed hard to maintain his position and finished second, while Sewell overtook Breece for third on Lap 13 and rounded out the podium. Breece narrowly missed the podium in fourth, while Isaac Teasdale and Gared Steinke finished fifth and sixth and Monster Energy® Kawasaki Team Green™ rider Lance Kobusch completed the top-10.

In Main Event 2, Hayes launched out of the gate to take the holeshot and kept his competitors at bay throughout the entire 15 laps to win his seventh Main Event of the season. Kawasaki riders Richard Jackson, Steinke, and Breece battled until the final lap to finish fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively. Kobusch continued his impressive riding by crossing the line in ninth.

"I knew there was a lot on the line," said Hayes. "I had to bring my A-game because it was crucial to get the win so we battled to the very end and it felt good. It was a good night."

As the gate dropped on the AX Lites West class it was all green out front as Kobusch captured the holeshot, followed by GPF Babbitt's Online Kawasaki supported riders, Breece and Teasdale. Breece and Teasdale quickly made a push to the front by moving past Kobusch on Lap 1. Breece was under pressure early in the race from Teasdale but extended his lead in the final laps to take the win by 5.3 seconds over Teasdale. Kobusch rode consistently to round out the top five.

"We really had to battle for the win tonight," said Breece. "I had a lot of pressure coming from the other guys but I just had to focus on riding consistently and the things I could control. It feels good to finish on top and I'm looking forward to the next round."

"The track was technical," said Kobusch. "I'm glad to be getting this experience and although we always hope for a win, I'm proud of our results tonight."

250AX Class Results

1. Jacob Hayes (2-1)

2. Chris Blose (1-2)

3. Ryan Breece (4-6)

4. Daniel Herrlein (7-3)

5. Gared Steinke (6-5)

6. Travis Sewell (3-11)

7. Kevin Moranz (8-7)

8. Richard Jackson (13-4)

9. Heath Harrison (9-8)

10. Lance Kobusch (10-9)

250AX Class Race to the Cup Championship Standings

1. Chris Blose74

2. Jacob Hayes 73

3. Daniel Herrlein 48

4. Heath Harrison 46

5. Gared Steinke 43

6. Travis Sewell 40

7. Kyle Bitterman 32

8. Gavin Faith 10

9. Shane Sewell 4

10. J. Williamson 3

AX Lites West Coast Class Results

1.Ryan Breece

2.Isaac Teasdale

3.Kevin Moranz

4.Carson Brown

5.Lance Kobusch

6.Jake McKinney

7.Mason Kerr

8.Dylan Rouse

9.Blaine Silveira

10.Devin Harriman

AX Lites West Coast Championship Standings

1. Ryan Breece 48

2. Kevin Moranz 41

3. Carson Brown 34

4. Preston Taylor 27

5. Johnny Garcia 19

6. Devin Harriman 17

7. Blane Silveira 13

8. Lance Kobusch 12

9. Robbie Wageman 11

10. Casey Brennan 11

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