Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Arenacross Veterans Memorial Auditorium Des Moines, Iowa Results: November 5-6, 1999 Friday 125 PRO (16 riders, 16 laps): 1. G ray so n Goodrnaa. (H e n): 2 Pe ro Gonzales (Kaw); 3. Jeff Willoh (Hon); d j eremy Buehl (Kaw): S. Nick Wey (Ka w ): 6. BuJd y Antunez (Sw:); 7. Chad Pl..'lJl.TSOn (Hon): 8. Travis Hodges (Left) Heath Voss was stripped of the 125cc class win Friday night for using lIIegaiforks. He bounced back with a Dash For Cash win. (Above) Grayson Goodman was cred ited with Friday's 125cc victory. Antunez was in fourth with Carrollton Ka w a saki' s Jeromy Bu e h l hot o n hi s tail. Wey, Voss a nd Crine d istanced th emse lves from th e pack a nd the three rod e mi s ta ke-free throughout the next few laps. Step he nson got go ing again aft er his fall and put on a char ge to the end . At the finish it w as Wey w ho too k an im p ress ive win w it h Voss, Crine a nd Will oh behind him. "I came fro m last in that 125cc race a nd thought th at I ac tually rode well, but in this race I rode like I kn ow I can," Wey said. "I almost go t in vol ved in tha t crash at th e sta rt," Voss sa id of the early pileup. "Someone was all over my arm and I was fortuna te that I d idn' t go d o" ."." " If th e y all go like th is I'll s tic k a ro und for a w hile," Crine explained of his usual switch to supercross once that se ries sta r ts. "I'd like to d o th is whole series but we' ll see w ha t happens ." SATURDAY §l ..r N ... ~ ..c E ~ o Z 8 An tu nez a nd Stephenson took the firs t tw o 125cc hea t race w ins w hil e Goodman and Katin had a g rea t battle in hea t three tha t had a packed hou se on the edge of their sea ts. Goodma n would finish first and would then come back to ta ke a 250cc heat race wi n. Vo ss and Step henson won the o ther tw o 250cc heats . Stephenson ca me ba ck to win over $500 in the Dash for Cash, but on ly a fter m a king a n aggressive la s t- lap block-p ass on Voss that sen t him over a berm. Hofmaster too k the Ju mp-off win wi th a heel-click er to no-b and er lander seque nce. G on z al es ga ted best an d led the 125cc fina l early. Good ma n, Ancae/Pro Circuit/One Industries' Travis Hod ges a n d St eph enson foll o w ed . Wey was d e ep in the pack wi th a no ther poor 125cc s ta rt a nd Will oh was o n t h e g ro u n d an d w as slowly ge lli ng to hi s feet af ter a firs t-lap cras h. Goo d ma n m a de hi s way b y th e leader Gonzales ea rly , w hile Buehl and An tunez were now also on the soil after going d o w n tog ether. Wey was u p to seve n th a few la ps lat er and was focusin g fo rwa rd, w hile m any riders were having trouble on the technical trac k. Ste p he nson na iled a co rner m a rker soon th ereafter a nd lo st a po sition, as Gonza les was closing in on a tiring Goodman. Wey had passed Ho dges and was up to fourth w ith several laps remainin g, as Gonzales was now passing Goodman down the front straight for the lead . Step he nson looked to ge t his rhythm back, as he passed Good ma n a lap lat er. Wey also mo ved by Goodman d uring the closin g laps, and at the fin ish it was Gonzales taking a st ro ng wi n. Stephenso n crossed next with Wey, Goodman, H odg es a nd H o fm aster ro u nd ing ou t the to p six . " I' rn pumped," Go nzales said after the event. "This is fun and th e mo ney is good . I th ink this cou ld work out:' Voss g ra b be d th e s tart of the fi na l m a in eve n t of th e wee ke n d . W e y , Step he nson and Goodman came next. Wey go t b y Voss qui c kl y as d id Step he nson. Antunez, Buehl and Ped erson w ere trailing th e ea rly leaders as Wey go t in his zo ne in a hurry. Not one to gi ve up, Voss retaliat ed and go t back by Wey th ro ug h the rockers on th e sixth la p to tak e over th e lead . Voss and Wey pulled away fro m the p a c k a n d b egan th e ir o w n ra ce . Througho ut the next few laps, Wey follow ed a nd stu died Voss' lines, and occasionally stuck a w hee l in on th e Hondam o un ted pri va teer . Ste p henson a n d Buehl raced fo r th ird and fourth for so me time , w hile Antune z w atch ed from six th. ' With only a few laps left and lap pe rs p laying a factor, Wey pressured Voss a nd the n made his pass d own th e fro nt straigh t for the lead. T he c hec ke rs fle w a la p la te r and We y too k hi s second 250cc win of th e weekend . Voss fin is hed seco n d a nd Step he nson took his second pod ium of th e night. "I ac tually like the 250cc a little better," Wey sa id fro m th e podium. "I' ve ridden th e 250cc better throughou t my ama teu r caree r, and I like riding it, too ." "As yo u kn ow , I'm usuall y sit ting on the co uc h p la yin g Pla yst alion, but for the last six w eeks, I've bee n ou t in California trai ning a nd rid ing a nd I'm feeling be tter tha n ever," sai d Step he nson, w ho is loo king for h is fi rst-ever a renacross cha m pionship . " I thin k th is is the yea r a nd I kn ow I can do it." CIII Briefl' ••• (Ka w ): 9. Jim Ches ter (Suz ); 10. Mike Katin (Ka w); 11:" Tommy Hofma stcr (Ha n); 12. Denn y Stephenson (Suz f;' 13. Kevin Crine (He n): 14. Cory Keeney (Han) ; 15. Greg Rand (Suz): l b. Heath Voss (1-100). 2SO PRO (16 riders, 20 laps): 1. Nic k Wcy (Ka w); 2. Hea th Voss (Hen): 3. Kevin Crine (Ho n): 4. Je ff willoh (Han ); 5. Den ny Stephe nso n (Suz): 6. Buddy Antune£' ' d (Su 7o); 7. Jero IT!Y Buehl (K.1W); 8. Pe ro Gonza les (Ka w t, 9. Grayson Good ma n (Hon): 10. Travis Hod ge (Kaw s 11. M ik e Kc tin (Kaw): 12. Brad w cobey (H o n): 1 Tommy Hofma ster (Hen): 14. Chad Pederso n (Hon): 15. Greg Rand (Suz) ; 16. Cha rley Bo gard (Suz). D a sh fo r Cas h : 1. H eath Vo ss (l-io n) : 2. De n ny Ste phenson (Su z): 3. Pedro Go nza les (Kaw) : 4. N ick Wey (K.1W); 5. Buddy Antunez (Suz ). .. J ump -O ff : 1. Je ff Willoh ( Hen): 2. Hof ma ster (H e n): 3. Kenn y Bell IH us). Saturda y 125 PR O (16 rid e rs, ] 6 lap s ): 1. Pedro Gonza les (Ka w) : 2. Denny Stephe nso n (Suz) : 3. Nick Wey (Kaw); 4. Grayson Goodman (Ho n); 5. Travis Hodges (Kaw): 6. Tommy Hofma ste r (Han); 7. Chad Pederson (Hon}, 8. Kevin Cri ne (Hen): 9, Mike Karin (Ka w) : 10, Ier o my Bueh l (Ka w ); 11. Ty Walla ce (Yam ); 12. Jim Cheste r (Su z ): 13, Brad Woolse y (H o n ): 14, Buddy A ntu nez (Suz): 15. Cory Keeney (He n): 16, leff Wilio h (Ho n). 250 PRO (16 riders, 20 lap s): 1. Nick Wey (Kaw): 2, Heath Voss (Han); 3. Denny Stephe nson (Suz); 4. Jeremy Buehl (Kaw): 5. Buddy Antunez (Suz): 6. Chad Pederson (Han); 7. Pedro Go nz a les (Kaw); 8. C ha rley Bogard (Suz) : 9, Mike Katin (K aw) : 10. G ra y so n Goodman (He n): 11. Travi s Hod ges (Kaw ): 12. Jim Ches ter (Suz): 13. Tommv Hofma ster (Hon ); 14, [e ff Willoh (Ha n); 15. Kevin Critic (Ha n); 16. Greg Rand (5uz ). Da sh fo r Cas h: 1. Denny Stephenso n (5uz) ; 2. Nick Wey (Kaw); 3. G rays o n Goodman (H un ); 4. Jero m y Buehl (Ka w ); 5. Heath Voss (Han), Iu mp -Off: 1. Tommy Hofma ster IH on ): 2. Jeff Wilioh (Hen): 3. Kenny Bell (H us). NA TI O NAL A REN AC R O S S SE RI ES POI NT ST A N D INGS (Afler 2 of 34 rou n d s ): 1. N ick We y (70 / 2 win s ); 2, Pedro G o nza les (61 /1 ); 3. Denny Stephenson (55); 4. Gray so n Good ma n (54/1); 5. Ieromy Bueh l (5 1); 6, Buddy Antun ez (45); 7. Tra vis Hod ges "I"SOn (42); 9. leff Wilioh (39); 10. CflE) (42); 8. Cha d Ped L Kevin Crine/Mike Katin (37); 12, Heat h Voss (36); 13. Tommy Hofma st er (33) ; 14 , Jim C he s te r (24) ; 15 . Ch a rley Boga rd (14); 16. Brad wcolsey (13); 17. G reg Rand (11); 18, Cory Keene y (9); 19. Ty Wallace (8). UPCOMING ROUNDS: Rounds 3-4: Albany, NewYork - November 12-13 Rounds 5·6 : Worcester, Massac husetts .. November 19-20 · New for the 1999-2000 se ries is the Kawasaki 6Scc invitation.... race (right). Taking the place of th e SOcc 'i n t e r mi s s io n' races, With 17 different cities on the National Arenacross Series schedule and · Kawa saki. a major sponsor and two nights of facing' each weekend. the series is definitely a demanding supporter of arenacross . took the one. Each night consists of two main events (a 125cc and a 250cc final) , intermission race to the next level. and that makes for a total of 68' possible main eve nts into which the literally. team Gree n' advisor Ron points are all pooled. The riders get to ridepra ctice and qualifying. co n- : . Heben was on hand at Des Moines sisting of heats. semis anda last-chance qualifier. and sornenders also and commented (in the new event. ·do the Dash for Cash race and a J ump-off contest as well. making for "This is, so mething ' w e are doing quite a bit of track time fOr, the series regulars . New for the 1999-2000 through our dealers to showcas e series is a timed qualifying session before the night's big s how. ' . the new 65 cc KX.- Heben Every rider mustdo a timed lap and the best 'qualifying 'times result in a explained of the 'progra m. "The better gate pickfor the evening's heat races .'It took some time on Friday . kids all ge t'. a goodie bag with all for everybody to get used to the new procedure. but on Saturday it went , so rts o f sponso rs .prc duc t s and they can sign up through their local ov~r quite we ll. 'dealers." Spring Hill. Kansas' Den· Also new for the se ries is the use of the foam Tuff Blocks and a Pace ' nis J onon beca me the first -ever Motorsports se mi-truck.The Tuff Blocks 'eliminate the use of hay-bails winner of the event, takirig the main 'which are often costlyand usually messy. and the Tuff Blocks look better, event winon Fridaynight. . too. "I'll be the'first to tell you that those things are soft.".a rider commented after falling on one' iri a crash. The new semi isused to haul the After Friday's 125cc main 'eve nt: a Tuff Blocks from city to city..alongw ith the starting gate. banners and prote st was filed : claiming th at '.... Honda-mounted Heath Voss had other necessary items for the tour: .. . . . · rtdden the race with an illegal fork . Other big changes fur the 1999-2000 N~tional ArenacrossSertes include' .voss used ' his production S howa . . that it is no longer AMA-sanctioned. nor is PJ1 the title sponsor any- units off his 250cc thathe thought were legal . but Arenacross has a pro· more. PACE Motorsports has decided to handle all operations of the duction rulethat states a rider must use production suspension. and the National Arenacross Series and hopesto lock up a iitle sponsor by early. CR125 comes with Kayaba forks. "Thedectslon was made' to disqualify 'next y~?r: PJ 1. however. is .still a maj~r sp~n so~ of the series , , hi m because of the rule that says the rider must use the same inner and , outer fork tubes. from.that sa me model of bike." arenacross m 'anager Several news teams arrived ~i Des Moines 'in fa~hion . and one team'that Keith Bowen said. "He was clearly the fastest rider on the track int hat . had everybody talking was that of the St. Louis Powersports squad. race. but that rule is out there to keep a level playing' field for all ." Voss consisting of riders Pedro Gonzales . Greg Rand. Nick.Metcalf, Heath said., "I've never see n that rulebook. They have never sent me one like e the AMA has. and it's kind of a,bogus deal. The forks are production on ' . Frasier, Eric Ja nssen and Cory Francis . The team had bikes everywher you looked. and it was quite inspiring. The TuflThor/Honda/Pro Clr. the 250cc,and I don't have aShowa works kit in them. i only ride the cuit team had two new additions;.Ched Pederson and Tommy,Hofmas- 125cc a couple of times a year and I onlydid it to make the bike stiffer.- . ter. The -two join returning member Jeff Willoli and are now managed by · Jeromy Buehl's former mechanic Chris Hunter. Ohio's .J eroroy Buehl and · - ,Des Moin~s saw one of the iargest Pro turnouts ever on' Friday afterMike Katin make'up the renewed Carrollton KawasakilThor/Tag noon-Forty-three 125cc riders and 37 250cc riders all gave a shotat : Metals team and the two are new pitted out of a new box van. Finally. qualifying. but only 16 were take n to eac h main:eve nt. Saturday's the new Plano Honda team is made up of Brad Woolsey and Brian Picere- entrants. however. were 'significantly down in numbers . . Iii. Both Texas natives plan on contesting' the entire tour. ' . ' · On Saturday night. three-time Arenacross cha~p Buddy Antunez 'was Two Arenacross regular that were missing in Des Moines were Mike awarded a huge diamond ring for his accomplishments in the series. The s Jones 'and Cliff Palmer. J ones is' still recovering from a brokenn eck ring had three diamonds. one-for each championship. and Antunez was and Palmer is rumored to have retired all-together after his se rious elbow' surprised by and iri awe of the gesture. " injury sustained las~ seaso n. .

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