Welcome back race fans! It is 2007 and the Toyota AMA Arenacross season has resumed, in full throttle. We kicked it off our series in two fantastic cities this past weekend, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Charlotte, North Carolina. I flew off to Charlotte on Thursday, January 4. I was definitely excited to be back on the road with everyone and could not wait to see what the weekend had in store. Charlotte is a really fun town, with really enthusiastic fans. The Charlotte Bobcats Arena is one of the smallest floors the entire season and it is a really challenging and tight track. However, this is when the season gets really interesting because we have two shows every weekend where you can go and get the same points at each. I anticipate that it is going to be a points race to the end.
I had a hard time sleeping on Thursday night because I was so excited for this weekends’ show. I was up early and ready to get the day going. There was a lot to go over for the show and I didn’t want to miss practice either. I was given the opportunity to take over on the microphone as kind of the co-announcer along with Tim Cotter. I love being able to be more involved in the show and hopefully suck the crowd in with my enthusiasm and excitement for the sport. It was a great feeling this weekend!
As for the track the dirt was real clay like and pretty slick. It was a very technical layout with some big whoops, but it held up pretty well, only getting a little rutted up. Like I mentioned earlier it is a small floor so the racing was really tight and left no room for mistakes. Starts were vital for all the riders.
The lights went out and it was time to begin our Friday night show. I could feel adrenaline running throughout the stadium. Danny Smith coming into this weekend the points leader has just been racing really consistent races and riding smart. However, he had a lot of pressure from the Keith Johnson in Reno, winning Saturday night’s main event. The show was on and the guys were riding great! The big whoops turned out to be the most challenging section on the track, putting a lot of riders on the ground, but also giving a lot of riders an advantage if they were able to ride them smooth. It was definitely the place to watch for action all night.
The Lites class was a hectic race to watch. There were riders down in every section every lap. Because the laps are so short the leaders had to worry about lappers before the halfway mark. But on board the Carolina Express was Jimmy Neese and Jim Chester, they were there to prove themselves to the hometown fans. Jimmy Neese was riding really well and very consistent. But it was Cory Green putting on a show for everyone. He was on fire coming out of the gate getting the holeshot and holding on to the lead. Jimmy Neese was not too far behind patiently waiting to make his move, with Ryan Voit giving his all to stay up in the top three. It was quite the cattle with Cory Green and Jimmy Neese for 1 st. It only took one small mistake for Cory to give Jimmy a chance to pass for the first place spot. Jimmy took advantage of the opportunity and passed Cory to never look back again. Jimmy Neese coming out on top, Cory Green in 2 nd and Ryan Voit in 3 rd.
The Arenacross class with the big bikes was all lined up to take off, I held up the 10 second board, the gates dropped and they were gone. It was Danny Smith out with the holeshot, Keith Johnson not too far behind. It was a battle that Keith was waiting to take, he sat back and watched and waited to make the move on the #38 and when the timing was right he chose the perfect line and made the pass. They were all getting caught up in the lappers making it difficult to maneuver on the track the way they wanted. It was getting hectic and crazy for the riders. Keith was really taking advantage of the big whoops just gliding across the top gaining valuable ground. Jimmy Neese was feeling good on the Carolina soil and made the pass on Danny sending Danny back to 3 rd. He and Keith never looked back till the checkered flag was out! Keith Johnson was all smiles coming up to receive his 1 st place trophy!
Saturday night is always a great show to watch the track design doesn’t change from Friday night so the guys have more of an idea what to expect and are more motivated to get the win. I was right there on the track the whole night being able to talk about the race and what was going on, not to mention being able to speak to the mechanics and get a little more inside the race. The Carolina Express was not going to disappoint Charlotte putting on an incredible show, dominating the Lites class podium. Cory Green came out of the gate just like Friday and got the whole shot, he was riding so fast, and had a huge lead. But the track was getting slick and he slid out coming out of a turn, but he didn’t stall long, he was up and racing for the top spot. Luck was not on his side, because his bike stalled and he could not get it to start again, he was not a happy camper. But Jimmy Neese, young rider Tyler Bright, and Jimmy Chester were the top three. Jim Chester finished out third getting his first podium in the 2007 season, Tyler Bright a young local rider ended up 2 nd and Jimmy Neese was two for two winning the Lites class all weekend.
The gates dropped for the Arenacross class and the big bikes were off to the first turn, there was a small pile up in the first turn taking out some of the top riders. But Kevin Johnson received the Trick tank holeshot. It was good to see Kevin out front because he is so fast in the Whoops. Kevin’s lead did not last; Jimmy Neese passed by and took the lead. However, the #6 Jimmy Neese took a hard fall in turn #1 to give Kevin Johnson #3 back his lead. But it wasn’t long before he was passed by Chad Johnson, but he came and passed him right back. The lead had changed four times within the first 7 laps and the guys were charging it. Chad took over the lead and did not look back. Chad was back, the #1 on his bike was out in front once again. But the race was getting complicated with the lappers coming up and the track deteriorating slowly. Chad had to ride super smart and keep his eyes open for all his surroundings. Danny Smith came up from the back and was able to work his way up slowly to 3 rd. Kevin Johnson was not going to let Chad forget he was right there occasionally being able to let Chad see his front tire. But Chad was able to protect both his inside and outside lines and take his Junior Jackson Suzuki through the checkered flag for the win. His first win of the season! He had a smile from ear to ear and he needed this win to get his confidence back. Kevin held on to 2 nd and Danny Smith was able to stay on the podium in 3 rd! This race showed what Arenacross is all about. Intense, tight and nonstop action racing!! That is why we are here and that is why we love it!
Brock Sellards went to the other race in Grand Rapids and won both Friday and Saturday night gaining some valuable points on Danny Smith. But Danny is really consistent and has been in the top 3 every race. The Johnson brothers Keith and Kevin have also been keeping themselves in the race, but the race has just began for Chad Johnson, he knows he can do it and he has the ability to win another title. There are 18 more races to go and a lot of points to a championship!! We are headed off to Baltimore, MD next weekend, with all the riders in one spot. So hold on, it is going to be an intense ride to the end!
See you in Baltimore!!
XOXO
Ashley Miss Arenacross
ashbelle28@sbcglobal.net
