Gibson Takes His Third Win, Mages Conjures Up His First

AMA Arenacross Series
Round 10: Save Mart Center

Courtesy of Feld Motor Sports
File Photo by Jenny Ludowese
FRESNO, CA, FEB. 11, 2012

A huge crowd came out to watch the 10th round of the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series at Fresno’s Save Mart Center. FMF Power/ Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson of Blacklick, Ohio, won his third race of the season to close in on the current Arenacross-class points leader, Babbitt’s Monster Energy/ AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers of Danville, Kentucky. Also, after a week off, the Western Regional Arenacross Lites-class championship returned to action and witnessed Steven Mages of Sardinia, Calif., take his first victory of the season.

Jeff Gibson (2) led the Arenacross-class main event from start to finish at the series’ 10th round, held inside the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

Gibson kicked off the 25-lap Arenacross-class main event by grabbing the holeshot and the early lead, but he was trailed closely by Bowers. Six laps in, while gaining considerable ground on Gibson, Bowers crashed in the rhythm section, which allowed Gibson to lengthen his lead. Babbitt’s Monster Energy/ AMSOIL Kawasaki jockey Chad Johnson of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, took over second, but he was later passed by Bowers. Gibson went on to lead all 25 laps to take home the top hardware. Bowers and Johnson finished in second and third, respectively.

Gibson now sits 18 points behind Bowers as the AMA Arenacross Series continues its western swing.

BNTQ.Net/ Tuf Honda Racing’s Kevin Markwardt of Freeport, Illinois, opened up the 18-lap main event in the Western Regional Arenacross Lites class by capturing the holeshot. Reed and Reese Racing KTM’s Michael McDade trailed in second and Mages in third. Four laps in, Markwardt and McDade were bar to bar, but a slight mishap disconnected McDade from his bike and allowed Mages to take over second spot, while Markwardt still controlled the lead.

Behind Mages, Team Airide KTM’s Daniel Blair, McDade, and Team Faith KTM’s Kevin Johnson traded places for several laps. With just nine laps to go, the top four riders were all side by side. Shortly after that, Markwardt, who controlled the lead, made a mistake, allowing Mages to move in front, with Blair and Johnson in tow. Mages checked out, but the remaining laps saw a tight battle for second between Johnson and Blair. Through it all, Blair managed to hold off Johnson to secure second place. Johnson rounded out the podium in third.

In the Dash For Cash, Gibson started out in front but went down three laps in. Bowers took over the vacated spot and held on to the lead to win the race. In total, $900 was donated, which marked an all-time high this season. Money went to local Fresno charity Break The Barriers.

The 2012 AMA Arenacross Series season continues next weekend with its 11th round of the championship in Reno, Nevada, and the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center. Action will kick off next Friday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m. PT.

Save Mart Center
Fresno, California
Results: February 11, 2012 (Round 10)

ARENACROSS CLASS: 1. Jeff Gibson (Hon); 2. Tyler Bowers (Kaw); 3. Chad Johnson (Kaw); 4. Willy Browning (KTM); 5. Zach Ames (Kaw); 6. Travis Sewell (KTM); 7. Cole Siebler (Hon); 8. Nathan Skaggs (Hon); 9. Michael Willard (KTM); 10. Daniel Blair (KTM)

ARENACROSS LITES: 1. Steven Mages (Kaw); 2. Daniel Blair (KTM); 3. Kevin Johnson (KTM); 4. Michael McDade (KTM); 5. Casey Hinson (Kaw); 6. Kevin Markwardt. (Hon); 7. Jake Locks (Kaw); 8. Chris Proscelle (Hon); 9. Daniel Meynet (Kaw); 10. Ricky Yorks (Yam).

ARENACROSS CLASS POINTS STANDINGS (After 16 of 19 races): 1. Tyler Bowers (352/ 10 wins); 2. Jeff Gibson (334/ 3 wins); 3. Chad Johnson (268/ 2 wins); 4. Kelly Smith (250/ 1 win); 5. Zach Ames (236);6. Nathan Skaggs (223); 7. Willy Browning (191); 8. Travis Sewell (141); 9. Josh Demuth (127); 10. Michael Willard (125).

WESTERN REGIONAL ARENACROSS LITES CLASS POINTS STANDINGS (After 6 of 9 races): 1. Chad Cook (88); 2. Kevin Markwardt (78); 3. Tanner Moore (63); 4. Patrick Massie (35); 5. Cody Church (34); 6. Jake Locks (26); 7. Brandon Marley (24); 8. Nick Myers (22); 9. Casey Hinson (16); 10. Chris Proscelle (13).