Courtesy of www.arenacross.com
After 25 great years of bar-to-bar, high intensity action, the tight confines of the AMA Arenacross Series enters a quarter century of racing in 2009. Some of the most recognizable names in racing have graced the arenacross stage, leaving their tire tracks on what has become a great legacy.
Last season Rhinelander, Wis.'s Chad Johnson took his second AMA Arenacross title in three years, outlasting Ludington, Mich.'s Kelly Smith in a highly competitive 19-race season. Additionally, Johnson provided Tuf Powersports Honda with its second consecutive AMA Arenacross Championship after taking overall victories in seven races, including the season opener in Des Moines, Iowa.
In the multi-regional AMA Arenacross Lites class, four champions were crowned. Colt Humphrey proved that consistency is key en route to a dominating performance in the West Region despite not winning a single race. In the East Region, Tyler Bright swept all three of the regional races for a convincing title run. In a competitive battle for the North Region crown, Shane Sewell outlasted a field of talented competitors to come out on top, while the most competitive Lites battle of the season came in the South Region as Jimmy Albertson and Chad Cook finished tied atop the standings, but by virtue of an overall victory, Albertson took the title.
In 2009, a revised schedule will greet the series competitors. Consolidated from 19 races to 11 by eliminating the split weekend format, the AMA Arenacross Series will travel throughout the United States, including three new stops in Tulsa, Okla. (February 7-8), Fresno, Calif. (February 14-15), and Highland Heights, Ky. (March 20-22), which will serve as the season finale. The traditional mainstay from Des Moines, Iowa will once again kick off the season on November 7-9, but will not be included in the season championship. Instead, it will serve as a season prequel previewing what fans can look forward to come January 2-4 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
"As the defending champion of the series, I am looking forward to racing in front of my fans in the cities that we will return to and expanding my fan base in Highland Heights, Fresno and Tulsa," said 2008 champ Johnson.
Chasing the #1 plate is a strong list of candidates who will gun for the title in 2009.
"The 2009 season should prove to be one of the most competitive in the history of AMA Arenacross," stated AMA Arenacross Series Director Jayme Dalsing. "We should see fireworks with the return of two-time champion Josh Demuth challenging the defending two-time champion Chad Johnson and his teammate Kelly Smith, who placed second overall in his debut season of AMA Arenacross."
2009 Arenacross Schedule
Nov 7-9 Wells Fargo Arena - Des Moines, Iowa*
Jan 2-4 Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, Mich
Jan 9-11 1st Mariner Arena - Baltimore, Md
Jan 17-18 Ervin J. Nutter Center
Jan 23-25 Broadbent Arena
Jan 31-Feb 1 Greensboro Coliseum
Feb 7-8 BOK Center
Feb 14-15 Save Mart Center
Feb 21-22 Arco Arena Feb 27-Mar 1 Reno Livestock & Events Center
Mar 13-15 Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza
Mar 20-22 Bank of Kentucky Arena
*Prequel race to the 2009 season and is not part of the championship
