Despite a couple weeks of disappointing performances, Mahindra Tractors/Tuf Honda’s Jeff Gibson, of Westerville, Ohio, once again proved he is the rider to beat in the 2009 AMA Arenacross Series championship by rebounding to win his series-leading fifth victory of the season in Fresno, Calif. A raucous crowd filled the Save Mart Center for the AMA Arenacross Series’ debut at Fresno State University’s arena. In the season-opening round for the AMA Arenacross Lites Western Regional championship, GPF/Babbitt’s Kawasaki’s Tyler Medaglia, of Ottawa, Canada captured the win.
Gibson was back in early-season form on Saturday night, winning in convincing fashion and extending his points lead over his closest competitors, Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda’s Nathan Skaggs, of Chillicothe, Ohio, and Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chad Johnson, of Rhinelander, Wis.
“I needed this,” exclaimed Gibson. “I got a good start and tried to be smart. The past couple weeks have been tough. I’ve been riding well, but just suffered a little bad luck. It’s great to bounce back and get a win and help myself out in the points a little bit.”
Triple Effect Kawasaki’s Brock Sellards, of Sherodsville, Ohio, returned to the podium while Johnson minimized the damage in the standings with a third place result.
The Fresno race also kicked-off the three-round AMA Arenacross Lites Western Regional Championship that will take place over three consecutive weekends. Medaglia opened the title chase with a big win while Spinechillers/Suzuki City Suzuki’s Willy Browning, of Rushville, Ohio, and Foremost Insurance Suzuki’s Jim Neese, of Julian, N.C., followed in second and third, respectively.
Gibson extended his points lead in the standings to 40 points over Skaggs.
The AMA Arenacross Series heads just a few miles north to Sacramento, Calif. next weekend for its annual round in the state’s capital at Arco Arena. The action ignites on Saturday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m.
AMA Arenacross Class Results, (Fresno, Calif.)
1. Jeff Gibson, Westerville, Ohio, Honda
2. Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Kawasaki
3. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
4. Willy Browning, Rushville, Ohio, Suzuki
5. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda
6. Keith Johnson, Albuquerque, N.M., Yamaha
7. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Honda
8. Codi Adams, Batavia, Ohio, Yamaha
9. Jim Neese, Julian, N.C., Suzuki
10. Michael Willard, Thornville, Ohio, Kawasaki
AMA Arenacross Class Lites Results (Fresno, Calif.)
1. Tyler Medaglia, Kemptville, Ohio, Kawasaki
2. Willy Browning, Rushville, Ohio, Suzuki
3. Jim Neese, Julian, N.C., Suzuki
4. Devon Pilkington, Virginia Beach, Va., Yamaha
5. Bruce Rutherford, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
6. Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki
7. Michael McDade, Raleigh, N.C., Suzuki
8. Ronnie Stewart, Easton, Pa., Suzuki
9. Dacoda Sarochuk, Randolph, Utah, Kawasaki
10. Josh Thomas, Climax, N.C., Suzuki
AMA Arenacross Class Points (After Race 10 of 17)
1. Jeff Gibson, Westerville, Ohio, Honda – 211
2. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 171
3. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 169
4. Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Kawasaki – 153
5. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Honda - 148
6. Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki - 142
7. Michael Willard, Thornville, Ohio, Kawasaki – 123
8. Codi Adams, Batavia, Ohio, Yamaha – 114
9. Keith Johnson, Albuquerque, N.M, Yamaha – 104
10. Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Suzuki – 98
