Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Returns To Action At Eastern Kentucky's Exposition Center - Dirt Rider Magazine

AURORA, Ill. (February 12, 2008) - Last year's inaugural run of the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series at Pikeville's (Ky.) 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."The Toyota AMA Arenacross Series' stop at the Expo Center last year was highly successful, both from an attendance standpoint as well as regarding the feedback we received from the racers and teams," said Live Nation Motor Sports' Robert Hansen. "Kentucky is centrally located, which is key in getting a big rider turnout. This year the race will be even larger as it's a stand-alone race weekend on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series, so there's no choice as to which race to attend."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," added 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, you can count on that!"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 4th.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 pretty good, while also lessening his chances of winning the championship."I wasn't even 40 feet out of the gate when KJ (Kevin Johnson) lost control and hooked left and took both of us out," said Sellards. "I mean he cleaned me out good. And while I was flipping through the air Chad (Johnson) ran into me, so that didn't help any. I'm bruised up pretty bad, collarbone's not feeling right and I think my ankle might be broke."But you're for sure going to see me racing in Kentucky next weekend. This ain't over yet."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, 178Advance tickets for the Feb. 15-17 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series round at Pikeville's Expo Center are available through www.arenacross.com , in at the Expo Center Box Office and Ticketmaster Outlets or charge by phone at (606) 433-1793. Show times are Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday (amateurs) at 12:00. Doors open Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday advance tickets are $18 to $20 for adults, $5 for kids ages 2-12. Sunday's tickets are $18 for adults, $5 for kids. All seats $2 more day of show.About Live Nation
Live Nation is the future of the music business. With the most live concerts, music venues and festivals in the world and the most comprehensive concert search engine on the web, Live Nation is revolutionizing the music industry: onstage and online. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV." Additional information about the company can be found at www.livenation.com under the "About Us" section.Media Contact: Pat Schutte
(734) 369-2170
pat@highprofilepr.comMedia Contact: Denny Hartwig
(630) 566-6305
dennyhartwig@livenation.com