Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128025
Fort; 'Nort;h. Texas· ..Jariusr-y 7-8. 2OQC) National Arenacross Series Rounds 9-10: Will Rogers Coliseum By KAT SPANN AND BECKY TORRANCE PHOTOS BY JEFF COX P rimal Impulse Suzuki/Bill's Pipes/Axo-sponsored Denny Stephenson waged an all-out war, winning three out of four 125 and 250cc main events, as the Miller Lite-presented National Arenacross Series resumed at Will Rogers Coliseum. "I've been training real hard and plan on taking that number-one plate from my teammate and good friend Buddy Antunez," said Stephenson at the end of the event. Friday night saw Stephenson sitting on top of the world after winning both 125 and 250cc main events. Saturday looked to be a (Above) Denny Stephenson (3) leads defending Arenacross Champion Buddy Antunez at Forth Worth. (Left) Stephenson was the big winner in Texas, winning three out of the fourth main events. Modifications/Dunlop-backed Charley Bogard had a good weekend, climbing the ladder of points to fourth place. FRIDAY repeat performance, with Stephenson winning the 125cc main, grab- round at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. bing the holeshot and lead the Only four points separate Stephen- 250cc main for the majority of the 20-lap race before Antunez passed son from Antunez, who is tied with St. Louis Powersports/Kawasaki/ Axo/ Troy Lee Designs/Scott-backed him just three laps short of the checkered flag. Stephenson's per- Pedro Gonzalez in the win column formance also put him at the top of the points standings with five wins under his belt going into the next 24 JANUARY 26, 2000' eye with three each, but Antunez holds a 32-point advantage over Gonzalez. MSR/St. Louis Powersports/Reynard I e n eVIl's The 125cc main had everyone on their feet just five seconds after the gate dropped, when six of the major players on the field ended up in a big pileup at the end of the whoops. Chad Pederson, however, escaped the melee by having grabbed the holes hot and was th'e first in and out of the whoops. Stephenson opted to exit the whoops on the inside but still ran into Jeff Gibson's outside line off the berm, which forced Gibson into a bale and down on the ground. This resulted in a domino effect of downed riders that included Josh Demuth, Antunez, Brad Woolsey, Gonzalez and Greg Rand. The cluster of riders opened the door for Bogard to grab third, followed by Jeff Willoh and Jacob Martin. "I saw where someone got bumped, so I grabbed my brakes and got around them on the inside," said Bogard. "I found myself in third place, but that's Arenacross. That's the beauty of it. When big things happen, you gotta keep your eyes open." As Pederson continued to try and shake off Stephenson, Bogard settled into third, while Demuth had the ride of his life. Remounting in 10th place, Demuth kicked in the afterburners on his 1-35 Yamaha and went to work, gaining up to eighth place by the end of lap five, seventh by lap seven, and fifth by lap 12. In the meantime, Stephenson relentlessly attacked Pederson, finally taking the lead spot just two laps before the checkered flag on lap 15. "I made a couple of mistakes and then got caught up in the lapped riders in the rockers and Denny got by me," said Pederson. "I feel really good tonight," said Stephenson. "My training and commitment is really paying off for me." Third-placed Bogard, who hails from Texas, said from the podium, "The fans have been great and I'm glad to be here. I've been working really hard at this." Antunez was quick off the gate in the 250cc main, but it was Stephenson who led the pack out of the whoops and set the pace for the 20lap race. Katin also got around Antunez and then, three laps later, Demuth passed Antunez over the Dunlop Catapult. "The first eight laps were bad," said Antunez. After that, Antunez made his move on Katin, joining him in a bar-to-bar