Arenacross News Release
AURORA, Ill. (March 11, 2011) – As the AMA Arenacross Series prepares for its 10th round of competition on Saturday night from the BI-LO Center in Greenville, S.C., the competition at the top of the standings is tight between two of the most successful programs in series’ history. The Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki presented by Maxxis and TUF Honda racing teams have long been an integral part of the AMA Arenacross Series and have achieved tremendous success. Much of that success can be attributed to the competitiveness of several of their opposing teams.
Currently, Babbitt’s Monster Energy riders Tyler Bowers and Chad Johnson occupy the first and third positions in the championship, respectively. Splitting the duo is TUF Honda rider Jeff Gibson. Over the last four years, each AMA Arenacross Series titles have been captured by one of these two organizations. While they have asserted themselves as top tier teams in the Arenacross class, their improvement is a result of the threat from other veteran teams that have forced both Babbitt’s and TUF to step up their game.
Leading the way as one of the biggest challengers to the championship is the Foremost Insurance/Spinechillers/HondaofFairfield.com team. For several years, Dallas Avery’s riders have been perennial front-runners, including up-and-coming riders Zach Ames and Nathan Skaggs, in addition to veteran Willy Browning. The trio of Ohio natives are some of the most exciting riders in the AMA Arenacross Series today and it’s only a matter of time before they and the entire Spinechillers Racing team is fighting for that coveted title. Last season, Ames served as the only rider to break a Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki dominance and this season, he’s the highest-ranking rider that is not a member of the aforementioned teams.
Also finding success this season is Team Faith Yamaha. The team that gained considerable popularity thanks to its longtime rider Kevin Johnson has seen a bit of resurgence in 2011 thanks to strong runs by veteran Kelly Smith. Over the past two weeks, Smith has posted back-to-back podium efforts and after battling injuries the past two seasons, looks to be back at the top of his game and putting Team Faith back in the spotlight. He currently sits sixth in the championship and shows no signs of slowing his recent swing of momentum.
With new teams also making their presence felt in championship, such as the MMCR/GPF Suzuki, team whose tremendous Arenacross Lites success has led to a promising start in Arenacross class competition, the depth of talent for both the riders and the teams in the AMA Arenacross Series continues to grow each and every year. The never-ending quest to find more speed and performance will always be an underlying storyline in the championship and while Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki and TUF Honda have set the bar, their competitors are closing the gap and generating incredible on-track action.
The AMA Arenacross Series round from Greenville is the first in the city since the 2007 season. The BI-LO Center currently serves as the home for the ECHL’s Greenville Road Warriors in addition to the Southern Indoor Football League’s Greenville Force.
Completed in 1998, the arena is located in downtown Greenville and has been host to several major NCAA basketball tournaments. In recent years, it has become one of the staple venues for the properties of both Feld Entertainment(r) and Feld Motor Sports(r).
The action commences for the Greenville Arenacross this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. Amateur Day concludes an exciting weekend of action on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m. ET
Advance tickets are available for the Greenville Arenacross at the BI-LO Center Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone and ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $2 more the day of the race.
New for 2011! Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross Series. To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com.
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About Feld Motor Sports(r)
Feld Motor Sports(r), 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(r), Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz(r), and IHRA(r) Nitro Jam(r). 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.
