Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

(Left) Josh Demuth finished third in Saturday's 125cc main event. (Below) Darcy Lange surprised many by leading the ~orfty of Saturday's 250cc main event before an iII-tImecI pass attempt on a Iapper cost him a crash ancl the win. (Above) Denny Stephenson rode to two strong podium finishes on Friday, even winning the Dash For Cash, but a ·hard get-off In Saturday's 125cc main cost him a concussion. a broken rib, a trip to the . hospital ancl second place In points. (Below) Buddy Antunez peftl. Greg Link (centert and mechanic Billy WhlUey (right) pose with Antunez's fourth championship ring • in four years. (Leftl Demuth has been adapting to his Kawasakls well of late and has moved himself to eighth In points with two victories to his credit. The lack of seat time has been a real problem for the majority of the Arenacross riders over the holidays, and Stephenson was just one of the victims. "I haven't been able to ride because it's been 10 degrees at home," Stephenson said. "So I came down to Texas a week early to get in some practice, only it's been 20 degrees down here. I went from cold to not-so cold." SATURDAY Rusty Holland took the holeshot in the first 125cc main in front of a soldout crowd, but when Stephenson crashed near the end of the whoops a few seconds later, the race was red flagged and the riders directed back to the gate. Stephenson was escorted off the track with a broken rib and a concussion. The second start saw Hofmaster nail the holeshot with Antunez and Willoh right in the hunt. Hofmaster showed prowess and determination as he led Antunez for eight laps before Antunez glided his Suzuki over the top of the whoops and passed Hofmaster. Willoh was able to hold on to third until lap 12 when Demuth made the pass for the final podium spot, which he held to the finish, with Willoh in tow. "I had a good race going, but I should've made some earlier passes," said Demuth. "I really, really wanted to win in front of the hometown and I just came off an injury, so I'm happy making the podium." The 250cc main saw Willoh put his Honda into the early lead with Team Green/Carrollton Kawasaki/Pro Circuit/Thorbacked Darcy Lange in second. Lange took over the lead in the whoops with Antunez taking control of third. Willoh held off Antunez for six laps, until Antunez, once again, worked his magic in the whoops and made an awesome pass. Antunez closed in on Lange and six laps later took it to the edge through the whoops. Lange ended up going down a few seconds later near the end of the whoop section. "Darcy was riding really, really well," Antunez said. "He must have had his head down trying to put some time in and didn't see the lapper, which I think really messed him up. I was able to capitalize real quick and make the pass." "I got antsy and got passed by Buddy," Lange said. "A lap rider went by me and then Buddy block passed me and I got going through the whoops but got too fast and I couldn't hold on. And then hit the wall." Antunez hung on to the lead as Gonzalez moved up a notch into second followed by Willoh and Travis Hodges. "I'll take a win any way I can get it," Antunez said about his bad starts in the mains. "It makes it interesting when you don't get a holeshot and it makes it a lot of fun. There're times and places when you definitely need a holeshot to win and I really felt like I could do it from anywhere. Darcy was riding really well. I got into second and started to make a little time on him." Gonzalez was all smiles from the podium saying, "I'm really happy. A week ago I still had stitches from my appendix. My endurance is down as I haven't been able to ride or work out much. I lost some weight and didn't have the energy to charge much, but at least I'm making the mains to keep up with my points." Jeff Willoh (Han); 5. Jeff Gibson (Hon); 6. Pedro Gonzalez eKew); 7. Travis Hodges (Hon); 8. Rusty Hollond (Hon); 9. Chod Johnson (Hon); 10. Ty Will Bogen Celisetml Wallace (Yam): II. Darcy Lange eKew); 12. Greg Fstt Wllltll, Teus Resulls: ........" 5-1, 2801 Rond (Yom); 13. Mike Mason (Hon); 14. Nick Metcolf (Suz); 15. Denny Stephenson (Kow). 250 MAIN (20 lops): 1. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 2. Friday 125 MAIN (16 laps): 1. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 2. Pedro Gonzalez (KlIw); 3. Jeff Willoh (Hon); 4. Travis Hodges (Hon); 5. Rusty Holland (Hon); 6. Mike Jeff Willoh (Hon); 3. Denny Stephenson (Kaw); 4. Jeff Gibson (Suz); 5. Pedro Gonzalez (Kaw); 6. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 7. Darcy Lange (Kew); 8. Muon (Hon); 7. Kevin Crine (Hon); 8. Jeff Gibson (Han); 9. Josh Demuth (Kow); 10. Nick Metcolf Josh Demuth (Kow); 9. NK:k Metcolf (Suz); 10. Brod Hogseth (Yom); 11. Mike Moson (Hon); 12. Greg (SUz.); 11. Kurt Jennison (Yam); 12. Greg Rand (Yam); 13. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 14. Darcy Lange (Kaw); DNS Denny Stephenson (Kaw). Rand (Vam); 13. Travis Hodges (Hon); 14. Rusty Holland (Han); 15. Brion Edwords (Kow). 250 MAIN (20 laps): 1. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 2. DFC: 1. Rusty Hollond (Han); 2. Denny Stephenson (Kaw): 3. Travis Hodges (Kaw); 4. Denny Stephenson (Kaw); 3. Tommy Hofmaster Buddy Antunez (Suz); 5. Jeff Wllloh (Hon): 6. Dorey Longe (Kow). JUMP·OFF: Mike Mason (Hon) 65cc KAWASAKI INVITATIONAL: I. Wil Hohn; (Yom); 4. Jeff Willoh (Han); 5. Nick Metcoif (Suz); 6. Pedro GonuJlez (Kaw); 1. Mike Mason (Hon); 8. Darcy Lange (Kawl; 9. Bryan Piccirelli iHoni; 10. Josh Demuth (Kew ; 11. Brandon Bartz Yam; 12. Greg Rond (Yom); 3. Jeff Gibson (Suz); 14. rovls Hod9es (Hon); 15. Rusty Hollond (Hon). DFC: 1. Denny Stephenson (Kew); 2. Tommy Hofmoster (Yom); 3. Jerr Willoh (Hon); 4. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 5. Dorey Longe (Kow); 6. Jeff Gibson (Suz). JUMPOFF: Mike Moson (Han). 65cc KAWASAKI INVITATIONAL: 1. Wil Hohn; 2. Kyle Cunningham; 3. Ricky Draper; 4. Jace Nuckles; 5. Zeb Smith; 6. David Wood; 7. Daniel Castloo; 8. Quincy Stewart; 9. Jeffrey Fisher; 10. Corey Self; 11. Joy Teske; 12. Cooper BiUer; 13. Tye Jed.son; 14. Logan Johnson. NATIONAL ARENACROSS POINTS STANDINGS (After 6 of 16 rounds): I. Buddy Antunez (375/13 wins); 2. Jeff Wllloh (293/3); 3. Denny Stephenson (273/1); 4. Jeff Gibson (243/2); 5. Pedro Gonzolez (226); 6. Dorey Longe (195); 7. Rusty Hollond (190); 2. Kyle Cunningham; 3. Jeffrey Fisher; 4. Ricky Draper: 5. David Wood; 6. Jay Teske; 7. Quincy Stewart; 8. Eric Kelly; 9. Daniel Castloo: 10. Dian Klinger: 11. Eric Dunn; J 2. Zeb Smith: 13. Bnmdon 8. Josh Demuth (177/2); 9. Tommy Hofmaster Dooley; 14. Coby Meeks. Saturday 125 MAIN (16 laps): I. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 2. Tommy Hormostel' (Yom); 3. Josh Demuth (Kow); 4. (176); 10. Ty Wolloce (133); 11. Mar<:o Dube (130); 12. NK:k Metcalf (106/1); 13. Isaiah Johnson (105); 14. Travis Hodges (90); 15. Kevin Cri~ (87). BRIEFLY. •• SI. Louis PowersportslTeam Green/Pro CircuitlThor·backed Denny Stephenson. who took a tumble at the start of Saturday night's 125cc main which resulted in a trip to hospital. suffered a broken rib and a concussion. He is expected to be out of action for at least four weeks. Stephenson's SI. Louis Powersports teammate Pedro Gonzalez used the five-week break in the series to recuperate from appendicitis. following the Rockford round in early December. Gonzalez made the podium on Saturday in the 250cc main. "I've only had just a couple of days to get back on the bike and practice since my surgery." Gonzalez said. "I feel pretty good and am very happy to be back. " On Saturday night, Chariey Bogard was presented an award from Mike Kidd in recognition of all his accomplishments and dedication to motorcycle racing. Bogard injured his kidney while testing for Suzuki in Califomia. The injury forced the Texan into early retirement. "I plan on stay· ing active in the sport by continuing my motocross schools and private lessons." Bogard said. Defending champ Buddy Antunez was awarded the National Arenacross Championship Ring. presented on behalf of Sf)( Motor Sports Group. for his fourth consecutive National Arenacross Championship. cue. _ n __ s ' JANUARY 24,2001 35

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