(NEWS RELEASE)

AURORA, Ill. (February 6, 2012) – Reigning AMA Arenacross Series Champion Tyler Bowers’ homecoming last weekend in Lexington, Ky., proved to be a successful one, as the Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis rider grabbed his 10th win of the 2012 season, and the first inside Rupp Arena. With a 21-point lead over the field, Bowers brings the red number plate west this weekend as the championship returns to Fresno, Calif., and the Save Mart Center.

The 10th round of the championship is the AMA Arenacross Series’ first visit to Fresno since the 2010 season, and one captivating night of action this Saturday, February 11, will commence at 7 p.m. PT.

Last weekend, Bowers was faced with a tough challenge by his closest championship contender, FMF Power/Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson. After grabbing the holeshot, Gibson looked to gain some ground on his rival as the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series schedule prepares to hit the home stretch. Bowers responded early, fighting his way into the lead only to have Gibson fight back just one lap later. The duo paced one another for several laps before Bowers made his second pass for the top spot, this time making it stick for good.

Bowers brought his hometown crowd to its feet as he headed to victory, while Gibson fell into the clutches of Bella’s Cupcakes/Club MX Kawasaki’s Zach Ames. Falling from second to third cost Gibson an additional two points in the championship, and with only four main events remaining, he will need to average six points over Bowers if he’s to steal the championship away.

Gibson is a veteran of the sport and no stranger to pressure. As the 2009 champion, he knows firsthand what it takes to reach the pinnacle of the AMA Arenacross Series and he will surely welcome the challenge that lies ahead.

The AMA Arenacross Series’ annual trip west is always an anticipated part of every championship. Perhaps no team is looking forward to this weekend’s round from Fresno more than Airide KTM and its trio of Central California natives. Daniel Blair, of Lodi, Jake Locks, of Dixon, and Brian Alquist, of La Grange, make up this Golden State-fueled team and all three riders will be eager to grab some strong results in front of their hometown crowd. Blair heads to his home race on the heels of a season-best runner-up finish in the Arenacross Lites Class last weekend in Lexington.

The Western Regional Arenacross Lites Championship will also resume its season on Saturday night, kicking off a four race run to the finish. Currently, reigning Western Regional Champion Chad Cook leads the way aboard his House of Kawasaki machine, holding a 15-point lead over Letko KTM’s Tanner Moore.

The AMA Arenacross Series will make its anticipated return to the Save Mart Center on Saturday, February 11, with opening ceremonies beginning at 7 p.m. PT.

Previous Round Results:
Rupp Arena – Lexington, Ky.
February 4, 2012
Round 9 of 12

Arenacross Class Results (Lexington, Ky.) 

1. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki
2. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki
3. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda
4. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM
5. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM
6. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
7. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM
8. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda
9. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM
10. Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda 

Arenacross Lites Class Results (Lexington, Ky.)

1. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM
2. Daniel Blair, Lodi, Calif., KTM
3. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatcong, N.J., KTM
4. Austin Coon, Spencer, W.Va., Honda
5. Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda
6. Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki
7. Kevin Markwardt, Freeport, Ill., Honda
8. Michael Lang, Saugerties, N.Y., Honda
9. Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki
10. Jerry Lorenz, Morrice, Ill., Kawasaki

Arenacross Class Points (After Race 15 of 19)

1. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki (10 wins) – 330
2. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda (2 wins) – 309
3. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki (2 wins) – 268
4. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM (1 win) – 241
5. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki – 220
6. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 210
7. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM – 173
8. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki – 127
9. Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., KTM – 126
10. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM – 113

Western Regional Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 5 of 9) 

1. Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki – 78
2. Tanner Moore, Auburn, Kan., KTM – 63
3. Kevin Markwardt, Freeport, Ill., Honda – 63
4. Patrick Massie, Washington Court House, Ohio, Honda – 35
5. Lance Vincent, Breaux Bridge, La., KTM – 25
6. Cody Church, Grand Junction, Colo., Kawasaki – 25
7. Brandon Marley, McEwen, Tenn., KTM – 24
8. Nick Myers, Collinsville, Texas, Kawasaki – 22
9. Sean Hackley Jr., Orvila, Texas, KTM – 12
10. Jake Locks, Dixon, Calif., KTM – 12

2012 Dash for Cash Winners:

Des Moines – Zach Ames
Baltimore Night One – Tyler Bowers
Baltimore Night Two – Tyler Bowers
Madison Night One – Willy Browning
Madison Night Two – Jeff Gibson
Wilkes Barre Night One – Tyler Bowers
Wilkes Barre Night Two – Nathan Skaggs
Grand Rapids Night One – Zach Ames
Grand Rapids Night Two – Jeff Gibson
Topeka Night One – Chad Johnson
Topeka Night Two – Nathan Skaggs
Dayton – Jeff Gibson
Cedar Park Night One – Kelly Smith
Cedar Park Night Two – Tyler Bowers
Lexington – Tyler Bowers

Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross Series returns for the 2012 season! To follow the intense racing action live, log onto http://www.Arenacross.com.

For more information on the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series, log on to http://www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short: brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or 949-365-5750.

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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 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz®, 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 http://www.feldentertainment.com.