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Rounds 13-14: Long Island Nassau Coliseum AMAfPJ1NAnONALARENACROSSSER~S By Michael James UNIONDALE, NY, JAN. 8-9 he frozen wonderland of the northeast corridor in wintertime is a beautiful sight to see, but it makes for lousy motocross racing. Luckily, ew York played host to rounds 13 and 14 of the ational Arenacross Series in Long Island's Nassau Coliseum, home of the ew York Islanders hockey team. And, like the action-packed intensity of a hockey game, the Arenacro s Series regulars and the hometown heroes did not disappoint the eager crowd. The slam-bang racing action grabbed everyone's attention and kept it riveted to the track. Although lap times were averaging 28 to 30 seconds, the intensity and ferocity with which the racers attacked the track kept the fans glued to their seats. Team Thor /Honda/Tuf Racingbacked Jeff Willoh was just one of the riders that the heated crowd was so fired up to see. Not only did Willoh win Saturday's SBS Dash For Cash, he won both Jump-Qffs and, more importantly, both 2S0cc mains. He also finished second in Friday's 12Scc main. After a rather successful weekend, Willoh sits third in points behind current National PJl Arenacross champion Buddy Antunez, who posted excellent finishes as well. Antunez rode consistently all weekend long, winning both 12Sec mains. He finished out of the top three only once, on Friday during the 250cc main. Primal Impulse/Shift/Bill's Pipes/Suzukimounted Antunez's past two titles were both come-from-behind efforts, and no one in the series has forgotten that fact. Current series points leader Cliff Palmer rode to top-five finishes all weekend long. Poor starts had Palmer playing catch-up, but his fitness is where it needs to be for him to do the deed. Palmer left the .venue with a 25point lead over the number:one plate holder, Antunez. The battle between Palmer, Antunez and Willoh is shaping up to be a dogfight to the finish. The supporting cast .in Uniondale included Thor /Honda/Tuf Racing/Pro Tl . §! ....~ '" ~ ::J '" c:: .... '" 24 Circuit teammates Jeromy Buehl and Denny Stephenson, who traded top-five finishes, Witll the better performances coming from Buehl. Buehl and Stephenson sit in fourth and fifth, respectively, in series points. Buehl has two wins under his belt in the series. FRIDAY WiIloh's 12Scc starting techniques have been spot-on the last few rounds, and round 13 was no exception. Stephenson, Tom Hofmaster, Antunez and ·Palmer followed Willoh out of the gate in a tight-knit pack. On lap five of (Above) Defending champ Buddy Antunez (1), here on the inside of Jeromy Buehl (5) and Ty Wallace (65), was unstoppable in the 125cc class, winning both mains. (Lell) Jeff Willoh (48) was just as successful as Antunez. Willoh won the 250Cc main both nights. Here, Willoh leads Tom Hofmaster (14) and Cliff Palmer (3). the 16-lap race, Antunez was the first to make his move, as he went by Hofmaster and then Stephenson. While secondplaced Antunez stalked Willoh for the lead, Palmer began a charge of his own. Palmer first passed Hofmaster and then Stephenson to move into third. In one of the best battles of the series so far, Willoh and Antunez engaged in a battle for first that sometimes saw up to four lead changes- in one lap. Antunez finally took the lead for good with four laps remaining. The defending champion took the checker ahead of Willoh, Palmer, Stephenson and Buehl, who recovered from a midpack start. '1 think tllis was one of the best races of the series," aid Antunez. "Willoh and I kept going back all.d forth most of the main." Kawasaki-mounted Greg Rand grabbed the 250cc main-event holeshot, with Antunez, WiIloh, Stephenson andTy Wallace in tow. Rand kept everyonei.ncluding YZ400-mounted Wallace behind him for the first three laps, until Antunez opted to move into the lead. Willoh was next to move around Rand, who later dropped back to finish sixth. Antunez appeared to have control of the race until he stepped off at the end of a set of double jumps. With· Antunez on the ground, Willoh gladly moved into the lead spot, where he stayed for the remainder of the race. "I tried just to let the race happen," said race winner Willoh. "Rand ran good for a while, but I think Antunez pushing him made llim make too many mistakes. I was surprised to see Antunez on the ground. He's been strong all night, but I've been there (on the ground) before, too." Antunez got back on the bike to finish eighth.