AURORA, Ill. (Jan. 15, 2008) - Heading into this weekend's Toyota AMA Arenacross Series stop at Dayton's Nutter Center (Jan. 19), Ohio's Brock Sellards (Sherrodsville) and neighboring state racer Kelly Smith (Ludington, Mich.), have taken a big chunk out of the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series' points lead held by Wisconsin's Chad Johnson (Bad Boy/TUF/Honda). In doing so, Sellards and Smith, teammates on the Monster Energy/Babbitt's/Kawasaki team, have set the stage for what is guaranteed to be one incredible night of indoor arenacross racing at the Nutter Center.
Last year the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series packed the Nutter Center for two nights of racing action that saw New Mexico's Kevin Johnson and Oklahoma's Robbie Reynard split the Friday and Saturday main event wins. Current points leader Chad Johnson also raced well, going 4-2. This year's racing, compacted into one night, will be an all-or-nothing race for all the marbles.
Due to the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series' skyrocketing popularity, this season's schedule has been split and last year's two night of racing action will be packed into one unbelievable night of racing at the Nutter Center on Saturday, Jan. 19th.
"It turns out that four of the top five 2007-'08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series points leaders through the first half of the season are all eastern-based riders," said Jayme Dalsing, director of arenacross for Live Nation. "The two racers tied for fifth place, brothers Kevin and Keith Johnson, will be racing the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series in Albuquerque (N.M.) on Saturday. The starting gate in Dayton will be packed with talent."
One of those racers in the hunt for the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series title is Sellards. Currently 3rd overall in the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series' points standings, Sellards will be making the first of two appearances in the Buckeye State during the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series schedule.
"There's nothing that gets me more fired up than being introduced as the hometown racer in front of a rowdy crowd on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series tour," said Sellards. "I didn't get to race Dayton last year, so I'm pumped to have the opportunity this season. Hopefully, I can win the race for the Buckeye nation!"
"People will be coming in from all over for the Dayton race," said Sellards. "There is only one Toyota AMA Arenacross Series race in the midwest this weekend. Racing fans from Southern Michigan, Indiana, western Pa., Illinois and Kentucky need to make sure they are in Dayton to see the best arenacross racing."
2007-'08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Class Point Standings
1. Chad Johnson, Hon, 210
2. Kelly Smith, Kaw, 202
3. Brock Sellards, Kaw, 194 (Sherrodsville, Ohio)
4. Teddy Maier, Hon, 177
5. Keith Johnson, Yam, 163
6. Kevin Johnson, Yam, 163
7. Danny Smith, Hon, 149
8. Jim Neese, Suz, 135
9. Josh Demuth, Hon, 127
10. Tom Hofmaster, 126
Advance tickets for the Jan. 19 Toyota AMA Arenacross at Dayton's Nutter Center are available through www.arenacross.com, in at the Nutter Center Box Office and Ticketmaster Outlets or charge by phone at (973) 775-4789. Show time is at Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday (amateurs) at 12:00. Doors open Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m. Saturday advance tickets are $18 to $20 for adults, $5 for kids ages 2-12. Sunday's tickets are $18 for adults, $5 for kids. A $2 facility fee applies and all tickets are $2 more day of show.
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