Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

spot going through the whoops until Yamaha-mounted Tedesco was able to slip by him. Buehl countered the move by pa sing both Tedesco and Rand in one comer. Going into the infield section, he was running side by side with Hofmaster and took the third spot before crossing the line to end lap one. Rand, now running fourth, was followed by K1M pilot Jeff Hedden, who was now up to fifth. Antunez and Willow continued running 1-2 while the fight for third went into the whoops. Hofmaster and Buehl were thrilling the crowd, going bar to bar through the rockers, and the two continued their battle around the track, but Buehl was able to stay in third place. Hedden, Tede co and Johnson went over the finish-line double together, with Tedesco coming away in sixth, Johnson in seventh and Hedden going back to eighth. Again, Buehl and Hofmaster carried their fight for third through the whoops, but this time Hofmaster was able to take the position. Just short of the halfway mark, Willoh made a charge on Antunez in the whoops but fell hort and moved back in behind him. Tedesco had gotten around Rand, and Stiffie/Westwood/ Suzuki jockey Charlie Bogard had moved up to challenge both Rand and Johnson. During the second half of the race, Willoh reeled in Antunez lap after lap, only to lose the ground he had made up in the whoops. Hofmaster lost contact with Buehl and ended up losing positions to Tedesco, Bogard and Johnson. At the white flag, Antunez held a slim lead over Willoh, and going over the second big double, he took a look back to see him right in his wake. Willoh made one last attempt to take Antunez in the rockers but was unable to make the pass and finished the race right behind the leader. Next came Buelll, all alone, with Tedesco fourth and Bogard fifth. The start of the 2S0cc feature again saw Antunez abscond with the holeshot, with Willoh at his rear fender. Willoh's (Above) Willoh won Friday night's 250cc main. (Above right) Keith Johnson reCorded his first victory of the season when he won Friday night's 125cc final. (Right) Jeromy Buehl had his best ride in the 125cc class Saturday night. He finished third. teammate Stephenson, after starting around fourth, shot into the second spot in the rocker section, putting Willoh back to third. The first lap ended with Antunez in the lead, Stephenson second and Willoh side by side with Johnson for third, while Antunez begal1 to pull a bit of a lead over Stephenson. Johnson got the better of Willoh at the end of the first straight and then set hi sights on second-placed Stephenson. During the next lap, Stephenson was able to dose back up behind the leader. Buehl ended up crashing and 10 ing several spots, but the Honda rider quickly rejoined the race and spent the remaining laps trying to get back to the front. Later in the race, Stephenson bobbled before the econd double and slowed, rolling over the two jump, as Johnson and Willoh flew over him. Tedesco passed Stephenson a t the end of the rockers, moving himself to fourth. At the halfway point, the running order remained the ame for the top five. Antunez had a comfortable lead over Johnson, who was well ahead of Willoh, Tedesco and Stephenson. Buel'l1, meanwhile, had gotten around Suzuki of Gastonia/Barrs Comp/Shoei rider Jim Che ter, and he spent several laps trying to get around Hofma ter. Finally, Buehl wore him down and took the sixth spot for good. On the final lap, Johnson had cut what was about a three-second lead for Antunez down to nothing and finished th race right behind him. Willoh took third, Stephenson fourth and Tedesco fifth. Hofmaster finished seventh, ahead • of Chester, after the two had pent the final laps running fender to fender before Chester bobbled, letting Hofmaster get away. "1 rode exceptionally well," the I\ew points leader, Antunez, said. "That's what I've been training for, and it paid off on this bigger track here. 1 just have to keep my focus and go out and win this whole championship." Antunez also won the SBS Da h For Cash, just ahead of Stephenson, who leads tha t series wi th six wins to Antunez's four. Mike Jones made his first appearance at the Lazy E Arena, but, because of a wrist injury, he did not race. However, the aerial spedaJist did partidpate in the jump-off contest and was rewarded for his effort with the win. _ Lazy E Arena Guthrie, Oklahoma Results: February 12-13, 1999 (Rounds 23 lie 24 of 34) Friday 125 PRO: 1. Keith Johnson (Yam); 2. Duddy Antunez (Suz); 3. Ivan Tedesco (Yam): 4. Charlie BoAard (Suz); 5. Jeff Wiltoh (Hon); 6. Denny Stephenson (Hon); 7. Jacob Martin (Suz); 8. Jeromy Buehl (H'on); 9. Kenny Bartram (KTM); 10. Tom Hofmaster (5uz); 11. Jeff Hedden (KTM); 12 Dennis Oweno; (5uz); 13. Gio Tedesco (Yam); 14. Greg Rand (KOlW); 15. Glff Palmer (Kaw). 250 PRO: I. jeff Wllioh (Hon); 2. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 3. Keith johnson (Yam); 4. jeromy Buehl (Hon); 5. Denny Stephenson (Hon); 6. Ivan Tedesco (Yam); 7. jim Chester (5uz); 8. Tom Hofm.1ster (5uz); 9. Kenny Bartram (KTM); 10. Greg Rand (Kaw); 11. Bryan Piccirelli (Hon); 12. john Hedden (KTM); 13. Cory Francis (KTM). OFC: 1. Buddy Antunez (5uz); 2. Oiff Palmer (Kaw); 3. Jeff Wilioh (Hon). jUMP-OFF: 1. Oifford Adopbnle (Suz). Saturd.. y U5 PRO: 1. Buddy Antunez (502); 2. jeff Willoh (Hon); 3. jeromy Buehl (Hon); 4. Ivan Tedesco (Yam); 5. Charlie Bogard (5uz); 6. Keith johnson (Yam); 7. Tom Hofmaster (5uz); B. Denny tcphenson (Hon); 9. Greg Rand (Kaw); 10. Jacob Martin (5uz); 11. jeff Hedden (KTM); 12. Gio Tedesco (Yam); 13. Jim Chester (Suz); 14. Cory Francis (KTM); 15. Dennis Owens (Suz). 250 PRO: 1. Buddy Antunez (SU7.); 2. Keith Johnson (Yam); 3. Jeff Willoh (Hon); 4. Denny Stephenson (Hon); 5. Ivan Tedesco (Yam); 6. Jeromy Buehl (Hon); 7. Tom Hofmastcr (Suz); 8. Jim Chester (5uz); 9. Jeff Hedden (KTM); 10. John Hedden (KTM); 11. Kenny Bartram (KTM); 12. Brian Mason (K.,W); 13. Cory Francis (KTM); 14. Bryan Piccirel,Jj (Hon); 15. Greg Rnnd (Kaw). OFe: 1. Buddy Antunez (5uz); 2. Denny Stephenson (Hon); 3. Ivan Tpdeseo (Yam); 4. Tom Hofmaster (Suz); 5. Jeromy Buehl (Hon); 6. Greg Rand (Kaw). JUMP-OFF: 1. Mike Jones (Kaw). . Upcoming Rounds: Rounds 25 & 26 - Denver, Colorado, February 12-13 Rounds 27 & 28 • Sacramento, Califernia, February 26-28

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