Kevin Johnson Races to Arenacross Lites Class Victory
Even though it was Friday the 13th, Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers, of Danville, Ky., didn’t let the idea of bad luck get in the way of a third consecutive victory inside the Kansas Expocentre. The reigning AMA Arenacross Series champion grabbed his seventh win of the season, and took over the championship points lead in the process. Meanwhile, in the Arenacross Lites Class, Team Faith KTM’s Kevin Johnson, of Spring, Texas, broke through for his first victory of the season.
Much like a week ago, the battle for the win in the premier Arenacross Class came between championship co-leaders Bowers and FMF Power/Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson, of Blacklick, Ohio. Out of the gate of the 25-lap main event, Gibson raced to the holeshot and attempted to check out on the field. Bowers wasn’t far behind, and began pacing his rival in second.
In December 2011, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green wrapped up its 30th year anniversary with Kawasaki Ride Day at Pala Raceway near San Diego, Calif. The day was a huge success as green bikes invaded the home of the 2011 AMA National Motocross season finale where former Team Green rider Ryan Villopoto earned his first 450cc class championship.
As the series heads into round two at Phoenix, Arizona’s Chase Field, potential title contenders have already begun to establish themselves. At Anaheim I, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto walked away with the season kickoff win in the Supercross Class, while Cole Seely captured the Supercross Lites victory for Lucas Oil / Troy Lee Designs / Honda.
Stats and data below courtesy Feld Motor Sports
Villopoto was clearly the fastest rider on the track, and was the only rider during the main to lay down lap times under 1:01. When the checkered flag waved, Ryan was more than 12 seconds ahead of second place finisher Chad Reed of TwoTwo Motorsports/Honda. But the fight for second was the best skirmish of the night. JGR/Toyota/Yamaha’s James Stewart got a mid pack start and was forced to work his way up, while Villopoto, Reed, and Red Bull/KTM’s Ryan Dungey began up front.
Stewart was eventually able to make his way up to Dungey in third, and that’s when things got interesting. The two riders battled back and forth, forcing each other into various mistakes, but Reed made an error on his own, allowing Dungey and Stewart to close the gap. Just as Stewart was gaining on Reed, the JGR rider made yet another mistake, and landed on top of a tuff block in an on/off section, resulting in a crash.
Lucas Oil / TLD / Honda's Christian Craig will miss much of the remaining supercross series to repair a broken wrist. The scaphoid bone (navicular) in his left wrist was fractured at the Southwick Motocross National and he had surgery to screw the broken bone. Unfortunately, the bone never healed properly and he will have to have it corrected.
For 2012, the AMA Arenacross Series implemented a unique, fan friendly initiative to the championship. Once the championship was underway, the rider who possessed the current points lead would adorn his bike with a red number plate, signifying that he is the championship leader. The season kicked off with Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers taking possession of this prized plate, before FMF Power/Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson assumed control following the Madison round.
Now, both riders enter Topeka’s Kansas Expocentre for the sixth round of the championship sharing the points lead. As a result, the rare occurrence of two red number plates will highlight both nights of action. Based on the way each rider has performed to this point in 2012, it’s no surprise that Bowers and Gibson currently sit deadlocked atop the Arenacross Class standings.
The Joe Gibbs Racing MX team is managed by Jeremy Albrecht. Their two riders are Davi Millsaps (number 18) and two time Supercross Champion James Stewart, number 7.
In 2012, the team will compete in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, and the Lucas Oils National Motocross Championships.
There are three videos below - one of is team manager Jeremy Albrecht, one is of Davi Millsaps, and one is of James Stewart. Notice at the end of James' video where he talks about something that recently caused a lot of controversy.
A week of hard work at the team’s test track has Chad Reed and TwoTwo Motorsports prepared to challenge for the top spot of the podium at the second round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, hosted this weekend by Phoenix’s Chase Field.
Reed, 29, opened his 2012 account with a hard-earned second place at Anaheim 1, earning a vital 22 points. He was also a convincing winner in his heat race.
Supercross / Motocross legend Bob "Hurricane" Hannah will be signing a FREE limited edition Matrix Concepts poster at the Dodger Stadium Supercross pits. Bring your Bob Hannah memorabilia also and Bob will be happy to sign that as well.
Racing fans can be a part of the supercross action all season long with the Monster Energy Kawasaki Supercross Challenge. The exciting challenge runs through the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season finale in Las Vegas on May 5 and includes a sweepstakes that will send one lucky winner and a guest to Las Vegas for the 2012 Monster Energy Cup in October.
"The Monster Energy Kawasaki Supercross Challenge gives fans a chance to get behind our team each weekend," said Kawasaki Marketing Director Chris Brull. "The 2012 supercross season will be one of the best ever and by playing along each week, supercross fans get to be a part of what we hope is another championship season."
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders Tyla Rattray, Dean Wilson, and Broc Tickle are off to Phoenix, Ariz., for round two of the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series at Chase Field on January 14, 2012.
Following his podium finish last weekend in Anaheim for the first round of the West Coast Lites Championship, Rattray is hoping to keep the momentum going and is excited to get some work done in Phoenix.
