Johnson clinches Arenacross title

From Live Nation Motor Sports

AURORA, IL – With blazing speed and consistent performances throughout the 2007-’08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series, Bad Boy/TUF/Honda’s Chad Johnson has again stepped up to the top rung of the premier AMA Arenacross class podium, winning this year’s title Friday evening in front of his hometown fans at Green Bay’s Resch Center.

“It’s hard to put into words how great I feel right now,” said Johnson. “All the hard work over the summer to prepare for this year paid off. And the last-minute deal Dave Antolak put together to get me on the Bad Boy/TUF/Honda team was also a big help. Winning it a night early, in front of my family and friends here in Wisconsin just made it that much better.”

Yamaha’s Kevin Johnson shot off the gate to win the $750 Toyota Certified Used Vehicle Hole Shot award but was soon passed by Monster Kawasaki’s Kelly Smith. Smith went on to win the main event. Tommy Hofmaster contested for the top three early on but could not keep up with Robbie Reynard, Chad Johnson and Teddy Maier.

Chad Johnson avoided the traffic throughout the night, running as high as second at the halfway mark. Rockstar Suzuki rider Robbie Reynard passed Johnson to finish second dropping the Bad Boy Honda rider to third.

Johnson’s third place finish assured him the championship with on night of racing remaining.

In the AMA Arenacross Lites class, Kawasaki’s Shane Sewell outlasted Honda’s Kurtis Mccabe and Kyle Brown to win the main event.

AMA Arenacross Class Season Standings

1. Chad Johnson (7) 448
2. Kelly Smith (6) 423
3. Brock Sellards (5) 385
4. Teddy Maier (3) 360
5. Kevin Johnson (2) 349
6. Keith Johnson (1) 334
7. Tom Hofmaster (1) 277
8. Jim Neese 271
9. Gray Davenport 254
10. Robbie Reynard 244