AMA Arenacross returns to Kentucky

From Live Nation Motor Sports

AURORA, IL – Last year’s inaugural run of the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series at Pikeville’s Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center was such a success that this year the Expo has been rewarded with one of the premier national weekend rounds featuring two nights of racing (Feb. 15-16) between all of the country’s top arenacross racers.

Leading the charge into Pikeville are Chad Johnson (Bad Boy/TUF/Honda) and Kelly Smith (Monster/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki). Johnson’s currently leading the points chase, but Smith has the momentum – sweeping last weekend’s Hampton (VA) rounds and pulling to within nine points of Johnson (316-307).

“One way or another Pikeville will be looked at as a turning point in the season,” said Live Nation Motor Sports’ Robert Hansen. “Chad Johnson can blow this thing wide open, or Kelly Smith can catch him – maybe even pass him. Bottom line: It will be one highly intense weekend of racing at the Expo Center.”

Last year in Pikeville, Brock Sellards (Monster/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki) won the Friday night race, and was then upset in Saturday’s main event by Kentucky’s own Justin Sipes (Flaherty) aboard the # 281 Kawasaki. Sipes won in spectacular fashion over Travis Sewell (Suzuki) and Scott Metz (Honda) while Sellards wound up fourth.

Sellards will enter the Pikeville round extremely hungry as this past weekend he was involved in an accident that banged up his ankle and leg, while also lessening his chances of winning the championship.

2007-’08 AMA Arenacross Class Points Standings
1. Chad Johnson, Hon, 316
2. Kelly Smith, Kaw, 307
3. Brock Sellards, Kaw, 277
4. Teddy Maier, Hon, 252
5. Keith Johnson, Yam, 243
6. Kevin Johnson, Yam, 238
7. Tom Hofmaster, Yam, 207
8. Jim Neese, Suz, 199
9. Nathan Skaggs, Hon, 187
10. Robbie Reynard, Suz, 178