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between Antunez and Gonzalez, when Gonzalez saw his opportunity and took it. "We came into some lapper's and Pedro got up to my wheel," said Antunez. "It was enough to get him where he needed to be." "I have to work on my starts," said Gonzalez. "I got an okay start but had to work my way up." Stephenson finished fourth, while Plano Honda/Answer/Dunlop-sponsored Brad Woolsey rounded out the top five, both having had a tough time in the 125cc race. Woolsey said, "I have determined that the dirt at the Lazy E Arena is very soft. I should know, I've sampled it several times." SATURDAY Young Kevin Johnson, of New Mexico, grabbed the holeshot in the 125cc main Saturday night, but he lost his lead to Antunez by turn two. Shortly thereafter, Gibson leaped into second, followed by Willoh and Johnson. Willoh soon crashed in the whoops, which put Johnson in third, followed by Demuth, Marley and Gonzalez. Gibson made his move on Antunez for the lead, but, instead, a bobble cost Gibson two positions. Marley made a pass on Johnson and grabbed the number-two spot, while Demuth closed in on the front-runners in fourth, getting around Johnson and then cutting Marley off two laps later, as they headed up the triple jump. Gibson got his wind back and charged to the front again, passing both Demuth and Marley to regain control of second. Marley got Demuth back, but Demuth returned the favor and got around Marley, only to have Marley take it back again. In the meantime, Gonzalez worked his way up to fourth and passed Marley for third. Two laps later, when Marley went down in the whoops, Demuth took over fourth. Two laps short of the finish, Gonzalez went for it and sliced his way through the whoops to pass Gibson for the number-two spot. Antunez by this time was long gone, claiming the checkered flag over Gonzalez [, Gibson. Woolsey jumped out front in the final 250cc race of the weekend, but Antunez took the inside on Woolsey for the lead. "Buddy got underneath me and it jacked up my whole whoop section," said Woolsey. "I think I got slammed by more people tonight than I have all season." Travis Hodges quickly moved into second, followed by 1-35 Yamaha/Hoffman Bicycles/Shoei/ EVS-backed Demuth, St. Louis Powersports/Pro Circuit/Axo's Nick Metcalf, Gonzalez, and Woolsey. By the end of the second lap, Demuth was in second and Gonzalez was in third, and the top three began to pull away. Demuth was on fire, as he hounded Antunez, getting around the defending champ on lap six. Stephenson, meanwhile, was busy working his way up, passing Hodges on lap seven, and then he went after Woolsey, passjng him two laps later. Antunez closed in on Demuth at the halfway mark, but ended up taking a soil sample instead of making a pass. "I jumped in a little bit too far into the whoops and got a little too close BRIEFLY••• Points leaders Buddy Antunez and Denny Stephenson received surprising news on Friday night at Guthrie. Oklahoma. "Primal Impulse is no longer sponsoring us. and that's all I can say at this time." said Stephenson. A new sponsor has been added to the traveling National Arenacross team: Motorious.com. Jeff Gibson has replaced Chad Pederson on the Thor/HondafTuf Racing Team, while Pederson recuperates from a hand injury sustained at the previous round in Fort Worth. Texas. Gib· son made his first podium appearance on Saturday night. hnishing third in the 125cc main event. Charley Bogard will have to bow out of at least the next three rounds with a broken. thumb sustained Friday night in the 250cc main. Kevin Crine will miss the next several rounds with a wrist injury. Plano HondalAnswer/Dunlop/SunstarlScott/Shoei/Silkolene team rider Bryan Piccirelli qualihed for his hrst main event of the season on Friday night in the 250cc class. "I've worked real hard for this," said "Pic." The momentum carried him through the next night. when he quali· hed for both 125 and 250cc mains. (Above left) Charley Bogard was hot Friday night, winning the 125cc main and the Dash For Cash. (Above) Johnny Marley gave the home crowd something to cheer about. (Right) Pedro Gonzalez (49) topped Friday's 250cc main. to Demuth's rear wheel," said Antunez. "I lost focus on the whoops. My front end hooked a rut and I went over. Luckily I kept my bike running and was able to get back up in third. I think I cased every jump out there trying to get back going after that." Gonzalez passed the downed Antunez, but Demuth had already established a seven-second lead. Demuth took the win. "I know I haven't been riding vefY well, but I finally got my stuff together," said Demuth." I've been training really hard all week at IRobbie] Reynard's, and it helped a lot here tonight. I'm just so happy!" "I played it safe and had a good time," said Gonzalez, "but my starts are killing me right now. I just need to concentrate. I know I have the speed, I just need to play it smart." Antunez commented from the winner's circle: "You can't win when your falling down, and I've done enough of that this weekend. I went for the smoother route and I'm very happy with the podium." eN I.uy E Are"" &uthrie, IIldahoma Resuhs:Januaryl4-15,2111111 (lIGunds 11/12 of 341 Friday 125 PRO: 1. Charley Bogard (Suz); 2. Pedro Gonzalez (KlIw); 3. BUddy Antunez (Suz); 4. Johnny Marley (Yam); 5. Jeromy Buehl (Kaw); 6. Travis cue •• Hodges (Kaw); 7. Denny Stephenson (Suz): 8. Josh Demuth (Yam); 9. Mike Kctin (Kttw); 10. Brad Woolsey (Hon); 11. Jeff Wl1Ioh (Hon); 12. Brian Edwards (KlIw); 13. Dennis Owens (Kaw); 14. Tommy Hoffmaster (Hon); 15. Jeff Gibson (Hon). 250 PRO: 1. Pedro Gonzalez (Ka",); 2. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 3. Jeff Willoh (Hon); 4. Denny Stephenson (Suz); 5. Bred Woolsey (Hon); 6. Mike Katin (Kaw); 7. Tommy Hoffmaster (Hon); 8. Nick Melcalf (Suz); 9. Ty Wallace (Yom): 10. Jeff Gibson (Hon); II. Bryan Piccirelli (Hon); 12. Jeromy Buehl (Kaw); 13. Austin Squires (KTM); 14. Josh Demuth (Yam); 15. Charley Bogard (Suz). DFC: I. Charley Bogard (Suz). JUMP-OFF: I. Alex l.lIngevin (Y8m). KAWASAKI 65 INVITATIONAL: 1. Dennis Jonon (Kaw); 2. Cody Gilmore (Kaw); 3. Trey Clinard (Kaw); 4. Jeffrey Fisher (K8W); 5. lachllry Kenning (Kaw). Saturday 125 PRO: 1. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 2. Pedro Gonzalez (KlIw); 3. Jeff Gibson (Hon); 4. Denny Stephenson (Suz); 5. Josh Demuth (Yam); 6. Kevin Johnson (Yam); 7. Jefr Willoh (Hon); 8. Johnny Marley (Yam); 9. Travis Hodges (Kaw); 10. Brylln Piccirelli (Hon); 11. Jeromy Buehl (KlIw); 12. Nick Metcalf (Suz); 13. Brlld Woolsey (Hon); 14. Mike Katin (Kaw); IS. Ty Wallace (Yam). 250 PRO: I. Josh Demuth (Yam); 2. Pedro Gonzalez (Kaw); 3. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 4. Denny Stephenson (Suz); 5. Brad Woolsey (Hon): 6. Trtlvis Hodges (Kaw): 7. Jeff Willoh (Hon); 8. Mike Katin (Kaw); 9. Jeff Gibson (Hon); 10. Srylln Piccirelli (Hon): 11. Jeromy Buehl (KlIw); 12. Jim Chester (Suz); 13. Austin Squires (KTM): 14. Jon Hedden (KTM); 15. Ty Wallace (Yam). DFC: 1. Denny Stephenson (Suz). JUMP·OFF: 1. Benoit Milot (Suz). KAWASAKI 65cc INVITATIONAL: 1. Cody Gilmore (Kaw); 2. Dennis Jonan (Kaw); 3. Cory Green (Kaw); 4. Alex Melol (K8W): 5. Zachary Kenning (Kaw). NATIONAL ARENACROSS SERIES POINT STANDINGS (After 11 of 34 rounds): 1. Buddy Antunez (379{4 wins); 2. Denny Slephenson (370{5); 3. Pedro Gonzalez (351{4); 4. Charley Bogard (233/3); 5. Mike Kalin (216): 6. Jeromy Buehl (209); 7. JeffWilioh (180); 8. Chad Pederson (175/1): 9. Nick Wey (170/4); 10, Travis Hodges (165): 11. Kevin Crine (157); 12. Barry Carsten (140); 13. Ty Wallace (128); 14. Tommy Hofmaster (122): 15. Brad Woolsey (118); 16. Josh Demuth (97/1); 17. Jim Chester (95); 18. Jimmy Wilson (91/1); 19. Jeff Gibson (82); 20. Nick Metcalf (78); 21. G,.,g Rand (69); 22. Grayson Goodman (54/1); 23. Johnny Marley (52); 24. JlIcob MlIrtin (47): 25. Todd DeHoop (39). nu""s FEBRUARY 2,2000 25