There I was on vacation way deep in Mexico, you know, where English is a luxury not the language. And my cell phone rang, it was Pam, she said “we want you to…” that was all I needed to hear because there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity to see the exciting finish to the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series. So I packed my bags, (to be honest it was just a grocery bag and an old back pack from college), and I caught a flight bound for Green Bay. Whew… if I only knew…
Welcome back to the good ole USA! I’ll tell you this, when you are out of the country you don’t really miss it, but when you get back home you realize how good we have it. After I checked in at the hotel and called the bosses, I headed down to the restaurant to get something to eat. Well the entire place is empty except for one guy. I recognize him instantly. Former AMA Arenacross referee and current Team Babbitts/Monster Energy/Kawasaki guru Denny Bartz. Denny had just flown in from Arizona and was waiting on his lovely wife. I forgot all about dinner and just sat there in awe listening to the stories DB had to tell. After about an hour he got bored and started doing bar tricks. Man, he is the master. I mean it! If you want to win a bar bet just bring Denny along, he knows all the tricks. By the time he was finished wowing the bar staff most of the luminaries of the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series had joined us. Glen, the producer from Speed TV, and his camera crew were hanging with us when the star of the show, Ryan Gauld, called and said he was at the airport. Glen hustled over and picked him up and Ryan joined us at the bar. He regaled us with tales of his many exploits since we last saw him on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series in Sacramento. He also filled us in on his future race plans. I’ll give you a little inside info. You may see the super fast Canadian lining up for the Monster Energy® Supercross in Toronto. That’s right in Gauldy’s back yard and he should be the home town favorite! After a great night of bench racing we all turned in to get a much needed night of rest.
When I got to the Resch Center on Friday afternoon I could feel the tension. Everyone in the Tuf Racing/Bad Boy Energy Drink Honda pit was trying to play it cool but they knew this was the night their rider, Chad Johnson, could clinch the Toyota AMA Arenacross title. For a complete recap and all the race details for the weekend visit Arenacross.com. I spent a lot of extra time wandering the pits this weekend and saw a ton of old friends. It was great to spend time talking with Ray Woods, the father of Fun Center Suzuki rider Josh, and owner of Georgia Practice Facility. Ray is one of the most relaxed guys in the race game and he always makes me feel very comfortable when I am around him. Since both Tim Cotter and Ashley Phelps where on hand to do the announcing this weekend and I would be there as a third option I had plenty of time to help out in other capacities. One of which turned out to be as a gopher for Glenn and Gauldy. I spent about an hour shepherding riders to the studio area that was set up for them to do pre-race interviews for the television show on Speed TV. That was fun and made me appreciate how much goes into making the magic of television happen. Make sure to check Arenacross.com or your local listings for the show times and dates. The race action was great on Friday and by now you know we crowned a new Toyota AMA Arenacross Champion. Chad Johnson was all smiles and everyone was congratulating the Wisconsin native on his great season. Afterward most of the riders and crew got together at the hotel and hung out. We stayed in the lounge for a while, but things dispersed fairly quickly as the pull of the casino got the best of most of us. There were a couple of lucky winners this weekend, but I am leaving their names out just in case the IRS is reading this!
Saturday was much more low key and it felt a little like an early season outdoor race. You know what I mean, that feeling you get in the Spring when the air feels clean and you still have the enthusiasm for riding. I saw everyone smiling and laughing, talking about their plans for the rest of the year. The pressure was off which allowed the guys to just go out and have fun racing. Don’t get me wrong the night program was still very exciting, but with the Toyota AMA Arenacross Championship already decided things seemed more relaxed. Toyota presented Tuf Racing/Bad Boy Energy Drink Honda rider Chad Johnson with the keys to his brand new 2008 Toyota Tocoma and the team hosted an invite only party at The Stadium right across the street from the Recsh Center. Unfortunately, I had to get up early on Sunday for amateur day and help host the banquet on Sunday night so I had to pass on the festivities. I heard it was a great time and I want to congratulate the Tuf Racing/Bad Boy Energy Drink Honda team on their well deserved 2008 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Championship.
Sunday was a blur with all the amateur action going on and everyone scrambling to put the finishing touches on the banquet. I have a new found respect for Jayme Dalsing, I am not sure that guys sleeps. He was in the banquet room moving motorcycles, putting up banners, directing workers and going thru the show with Glenn and Ehab all at the same time. And while the rest of us were back in our cushy rooms taking a shower and getting primped for the banquet that night he was still working. I showed up a little early and he was changing into his suit in the show office. He never left. Dude is DEDICATED! His hard work paid off and the banquet was a HUGE success. Live Nation went first class and everyone I talked to was awed at how great the party was. One of the highlights of the show was the entrance of Speed TV host Ryan Gauld. Gauldy was giving the award for, oh I can’t remember because I was laughing so hard, but he came running out on the stage and did a full on baseball slide up to the podium. It was a thing of beauty and it cost him his custom made shirt but it was worth it.
This was great year on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series and I am looking forward to next season. Things are going to get even better so look for us in a town near you! Keep those e-mails coming at mxannouncer@hotmail.com and don’t forget to check Arenacross.com or your local listings for the dates and times of the races on Speed TV.
