Arenacross in Youngstown and Hampton

From Live Nation Motor Sports

AURORA, IL – After a wild weekend of racing in Louisville, KY, the 2007-’08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series moves to Youngstown’s (Ohio) Chevrolet Centre for two nights (Feb. 1-2) of professional indoor arenacross racing. The same weekend the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series will also race in Hampton, VA at the Hampton Coliseum – setting the stage for some interesting race strategy in terms of which racers will show up at what venue.

Bad Boy/TUF/Honda’s Chad Johnson is in the driver’s seat of the championship chase after his 1-1 performance at Louisville’s Broadbent Arena.

“CJ took it to the house,” said Toyota AMA Arenacross Series announcer Tim Cotter. “What we saw in Louisville was the difference between someone who’s won the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series title before (Chad Johnson) and someone who wants to win it really bad – Monster/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki’s Brock Sellards.

“Chad Johnson was very patient, smart and rode a well thought-out race in Louisville. Chad Johnson won the mental race as well as the main event."

With the 1-1 finish Johnson extended his lead to 25 points over Monster/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki racer Kelly Smith (282-257) and 28 points over Sellards (254) with seven rounds remaining on the tour, two of which are split race weekends.

“What that (25-point lead) means is that Chad Johnson can now afford to have a DNF and still have the points lead or a share of it,” added Cotter.

2007-’08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Point Standings
1. Chad Johnson, Hon, 282
2. Kelly Smith, Kaw, 257
3. Brock Sellards, Kaw, 254
4. Teddy Maier, Hon, 210
5. Keith Johnson, Yam, 205
6. Kevin Johnson, Yam 199
7. Tommy Hofmaster, Yam, 167
8. Jim Neese, Suz, 164
9. Nathan Skaggs, Hon, 164
10. Danny Smith, Hon, 149