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Rounds 23 &24: Lazy EArena AMAlPJl NA T10NAL ARENACROSS SERIES (Above) Buddy Antunez (1) leads Jeff Willoh (48), Tom Hofmaster (14) lind the rest of the 125cc pack in Saturday's final. Antunez went on to win both the 125 and 250cc mains. (Left) Antunez took over the series points lead after previous leader Cliff Palmer crashed and broke his arm on Friday night. By Craig Cole GUTHRIE, OK, FEB. 12-13 hen the AMA/PJl National Arenacross Series rolled into the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, there was an ongoing, classic three-way battle for the championship. When the series left Oklahoma, there was still a three-way fight for the number-one plate, but the cast of characters had changed dramatically. Kawasaki of Carrollton/TuckerRocky /MSR-backed Cliff Palmer, who W came into his home territory witt) the points lead and who stood a good chance of winning his third Arenacross championship, suffered a season-ending injury in Friday night's action, all but handing the.points lead to Shift/Primal Impulse/Bill's Pipes Suzuki rider Buddy Antunez, who is also seeking championship number three. And Antunez took full advantage of Palmer's misfortune, bagging two second-place finis'hes on Friday night and two impressive wins on $aturday night. "I feel really bad for Cliff," the defending champ said after Saturday night's races were over. "That's definitely not the way you want to go out. He was riding exceptionally well this year, and his family puts in a lot of work, and he works really hard to achieve what he wants." The rider who picked up the second spot in the points chase, Thor/Honda/ Tuf Racing-supported Jeff Willoh, echoed Antunez' sentiments, adding: "I thoug),t he (Palmer) had it wrapped up. ] really feel for him." With the consistent Palmer out of the picture, the quest for the t:i tie has shifted to the equally consistent Antunez and Willoh, wh<;> are both a threat to sweep the feature races on any given weekend. Willoh's teammate Jeromy Bueh\, also a proven wilmer, moves into fue fray and could play the spoiler if Antunez or Willoh falter. But with only 10 rounds remaining this season, anyone who wants to make a move is starting to run short em time. FRIDAY Willoh led the start for the first three laps of the 12-lap final before Antunez replaced the Honda rider at the front. That only lasted one lap, however, as a fast-climbing Keith Johnson, on the Bobby J's Yamaha, came through the pack of riders to take his first arenacross win of the year. Antunez finished second, with Ivan Tedesco third. Palmer's weekend ended all too early when he crashed and broke his arm. "] really don't know what happened," he said. "] got out of the gate about eighth or nintll and just s.tarted to get into a groove when ] got hit from behind. We were going into the righthander after the triple section. Our speeds were not that fast - it was just the way I hit the ground. I'm very disappointed, because I felt this was my year." Denny Stephenson, on the Thor /Tuft Racing Honda, looks stronger and stronger with each passing week. Stephenson took the holeshot in the 250cc final, with Johnson, Willoh, Buehl, Ivan Tedesco and Antunez rounding out the top six. Stephenson set a fast pace from the start and gained ground on his chasers. By the sixth lap, the Honda rider appeared to slow. 'l've got asthma," a winded Stephenson said. "I really felt great, not in the least bit tired, but you know, when you can't breath, it can get nasty oilt there." Johnson was the first to get by Stephenson; he was followed by Willoh and Buehl. Willoh then made short work of Johnson and headed for the checkers. Antunez carved his way to s(',l:ond, with Jolmson finishing with the final podium position. Antunez topped the night's Dash For Cash race, while Cliff Adoptante won the Jump-Off contest. SATURDAY Antunez was first through the. first turn in Saturday night's 125cc main event. Following Antunez were Willoh, Banzai Motorsports/Xtreme/Wisecobacked Tom Hoimaster, and Palmer's teammate Greg Rand. Buehl had the fifth