AURORA, Ill. (March 14, 2008) - With blazing speed and consistentperformances throughout the 2007-'08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series, BadBoy/TUF/Honda's Chad Johnson has again stepped up to the top rung of thepremier AMA Arenacross class podium, winning this year's title thisevening in front of his hometown fans tonight at Green Bay's (Wis.)Resch Center.
"It's hard to put into words how great I feel right now," said Johnson."All the hard work over the summer to prepare for this year paid off.And the last-minute deal Dave Antolak put together to get me on the BadBoy/TUF/Honda team was also a big help. Winning it a night early, infront of my family and friends here in Wisconsin just made it that muchbetter."
Yamaha's Kevin Johnson shot off the gate to win the $750 ToyotaCertified Used Vehicle Hole Shot award but was soon passed by MonsterKawasaki's Kelly Smith. Smith was, without a doubt, the fastest riderin Green Bay tonight and went on to win the main event. Tommy Hofmastercontested for the top three early on but could not keep up with RobbieReynard, Chad Johnson and Teddy Maier.
Chad Johnson avoided the traffic throughout the night running as his assecond at the half way mark. Rockstar Suzuki rider Robbie Reynardpassed Johnson to finish second dropping the Bad Boy Honda rider tothird.
Johnson's third place finish insured him the championship with on nightof racing remaining.
In the AMA Arenacross Lites class, Kawasaki's Shane Sewell outlastedHonda's Kurtis Mccabe and Kyle Brown to win the main event.
The Toyota AMA Arenacross Series win for Johnson comes with anadditional benefit to the AMA No. 1 plate. Toyota, the series' titlesponsor for the past three years, will present Johnson with the keys toa brand new Toyota Tacoma 4x4 pick up truck - the second one he's won inthree years.
"Chad Johnson began his quest for the 2007-'08 Toyota AMA ArenacrossSeries championship with a win at the first stop of the series at WellsFargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, back in November," says Paul Czaplickiof Toyota. "Now here we are, 15 arenas, 14 states, five months and morethan 30 main events later and Chad Johnson is now the new Toyota AMAArenacross Series champion. All of us at Toyota would like tocongratulate Chad on his tenacity, determination and competitiveness.All things that make a champion, and Chad Johnson is certainly that: Achampion."
Johnson acknowledged Toyota's generosity and added with a laugh: "Yeah,I might have to build another garage here. Toyota's involvement witharenacross is excellent. And their trucks are the best. When the dayfinally comes when I decide to retire from racing arenacross, I'll haveno problem paying for a Toyota on my own. They're perfect for themotocross lifestyle."
AMA Arenacross Class Season Standings
1. Chad Johnson (7) 448
2. Kelly Smith (6) 423
3. Brock Sellards (5) 385
4. Teddy Maier (3) 360
5. Kevin Johnson (2) 349
6. Keith Johnson (1) 334
7. Tom Hofmaster (1) 277
8. Jim Neese 271
9. Gray Davenport 254
10. Robbie Reynard 244
For more information on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series, please visit:www.arenacross.com
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