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.

Grand Rapids Arenacross Night-One Results

Courtesy of AMA Arenacross
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (January 8, 2010) – An excited crowd filled Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Friday night as the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series kicked-off its season with a come from behind victory by two-time champion Chad Johnson, of Rhinelander, Wis. Defending Central Regional champion Kurt McCabe, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, captured the AMA Arenacross Lites class victory.

A tacky track greeted the riders and the tricky conditions made for memorable racing in each class. As the gates dropped on the AMA Arenacross main event, Johnson found himself in seventh place after lap one. Traditionally, a poor start spells disaster in the tight, technical layout but the Babbitt’s Monster Energy TiLube Kawasaki put on an impressive charge, working his way through the field. During his charge, Johnson and his Babbitt’s teammate Tyler Bowers, of Danville, Ky., came together with Johnson gaining the advantage. In the closing laps, Johnson moved in on reigning champion Jeff Gibson, of Thornville, Ohio, and made the winning pass with just four laps to go. Gibson would hold on for the runner-up spot aboard his Tuf Honda, leading the majority of the main event on a 250 as opposed to his 450-mounted counterparts. Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda’s Zach Ames, of Prospect, Ohio, finished third.

A young, talented lineup rocketed out of the gates in the AMA Arenacross Lites main event. McCabe, aboard a Storm Lake Honda, found his way to the front of the field early and never looked back, maintaining the momentum he garnered at the Des Moines prequel in November. As he completed the final lap, McCabe scaled back his pace, allowing a determined GPF/Babbitt’s Kawasaki rider in Daniel Aulsaybrook, of Ortonville, Mich., to close in at the line for a photo finish. Foremost Insurance Yamaha’s Tyler Bright, of Lexington, N.C., rounded out the podium in third.

The season-opening Grand Rapids Arenacross continues tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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

AMA Arenacross Class Results, (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
1. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
2. Jeff Gibson, Thornville, Ohio, Honda
3. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda
4. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki
5. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda
6. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Yamaha
7. Colton Facciotti, Aldergrove, B.C., Yamaha
8. Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Honda
9. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., Suzuki
10. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Kawasaki

AMA Arenacross Class Lites Results (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
1. Kurt McCabe, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Honda
2. Daniel Aulsaybrook, Ortonville, Mich., Kawasaki
3. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Yamaha
4. A.J. Catanzaro, Middlefield, Conn., Kawasaki
5. Devon Pilkington, Virginia Beach, Va., Kawasaki
6. Justin Kelly, Lelumia, Ill., Kawasaki
7. Chad Wages, Frederick, Md., Suzuki
8. Matt Schneider, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Yamaha
9. Randy Woodring, Spring Lake, Mich., Yamaha
10. Seth Caldwell, Cheswig, S.C., Yamaha

AMA Arenacross Class Points (After Race 1 of 19)
1. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 25
2. Jeff Gibson, Thornville, Ohio, Honda – 22
3. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda – 20
4. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 18
5. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 16
6. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Suzuki – 15
7. Colton Facciotti, Aldergrove, B.C., Yamaha – 14
8. Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Honda – 13
9. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., Suzuki – 12
10. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Kawasaki – 11

AMA Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 1 of 19)
1. Kurt McCabe, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Honda – 25
2. Daniel Aulsaybrook, Ortonville, Mich., Kawasaki – 22
3. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Suzuki – 20
4. A.J. Catanzaro, Middlefield, Conn., Kawasaki – 18
5. Devon Pilkington, Virginia Beach, Va., Kawasaki – 16
6. Justin Kelly, Lelumia, Ill., Kawasaki – 15
7. Chad Wages, Frederick, Md., Suzuki – 14
8. Matt Schneider, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Yamaha – 13
9. Randy Woodring, Spring Lake, Mich., Yamaha – 12
10. Seth Caldwell, Cheswig, S.C., Yamaha – 11

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.

AMA Arenacross Series Returns to Wells Fargo Arena for Second Annual Des Moines Prequel Race

Courtesy of Arenacross
AMA Arenacross Series Returns to Wells Fargo Arena for Second Annual Des Moines Prequel Race
One Race Dash for Cash Offers Bragging Rights Heading into 2010

AURORA, Ill. (November 2, 2009) – As the dawn of a new AMA Arenacross Series season looms just nine weeks away, the stars of the AMA Arenacross Series are prepared to put on a show for one final time in 2009 as Des Moines, Iowa’s Wells Fargo Arena plays host to the second annual prequel race. After a stellar debut one year ago, the prequel returns this weekend on November 7-8 with some of the biggest names in the sport in an all-out run for the money with $11,000 on the line.

The Des Moines race is a standalone race and not part of the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series schedule. Saturday night features the premier competition of the pro classes while Sunday showcases the always popular Amateur National Arenacross Championship qualifier.

Wells Fargo has been series staple for many years, serving as one of the most popular stops on the tour. Last year, two nights of action witnessed the return of an AMA Arenacross Series legend and the breakout of a future star within the sport. Two-time champion Josh Demuth kicked-off a full-time return to the series, grabbing the Arenacross class victory on night one. On night two, privateer competitor Michael Willard turned heads by dominating the evening aboard a borrowed motorcycle. Throughout four main events across two nights of action for the Arenacross and Arenacross Lites classes, Willard took home three victories as well as a runner-up finish. As a result, he received a factory-supported ride with Kawasaki for the 2009 season.

Thanks to Willard’s breakthrough weekend, the Des Moines prequel has taken on additional appeal as the final stage for riders to showcase their talents in hopes of capturing a fully-supported ride for the upcoming season. With a lineup of series stars and hungry riders looking for a chance at AMA Arenacross Series stardom, this weekend’s race is sure to showcase the memorable bar-banging action that makes this the most intimate and exciting form of motorcycle racing on the planet.

Demuth returns for 2009, looking for another shot at bragging rights. However, a potent roster of past champions and race winners are ready to stake their claim at the grand prize. Leading the way is fellow two-time champion and Demuth’s Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki teammate Chad Johnson and newly added teammate Tyler Bowers. Alongside will be former supercross veterans Kelly Smith and Gavin Gracyk, riding for Junior Jackson KTM. Triple Effect Kawasaki’s Gray Davenport along with Arenacross legends Robbie Reynard and Tom Hofmaster will also be present. Locally, the Des Moines crowd will have the chance to cheer on the entire TiLUBE Motorsports team and Iowa natives Teddy Maier, Gavin Faith and Devin Reed.

Tickets available at the Wells Fargo Arena Box Office, all Dahl's Foods locations, online at www.dahlstickets.com, or charge by phone at (866) 55-DAHLS. (All seats $2 more on day of show. All tickets subject to $1 Facility Fee. Child discount applies to children ages 2-12. ) Show times are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. Doors open on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. Sunday. Front Row tickets for Saturday night cost $40 and Gold Circle seats are just $25. 100 to 300 level seats range from $18 - $20. Sunday tickets are $18 for adults, $9 for kids. All seats $2 more day of show. Note: Kids = children ages 2-12.

$5 discount tickets are available at Hicklin Powersports from 10/19/09 through 11/7/09 while supplies last.

Fans in attendance also can take part in the Track Party on Saturday from 5-6 p.m. for the chance to meet the riders and get autographs. Simply recycle any MONSTER ENERGY can at the gate entrance for FREE admission. Must have valid Saturday event ticket to enter.

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