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National Arenacross Series Round B: Baltimore Arena By MICHAEL JAMES PHOTOS BY KARL OCKERT BALTIMORE, MD, JAN. 19·20 mid the intense rivalry of the upcoming Ravens vs. Giants football game, the Gladiators of the Are· nacross circuit waged a different kind of war that saw a different winner in each class every night. Tuf/Thor/Honda/Parts Unlimited's Jeff Willoh, however, stood tall as the only double winner, taking the 125cc class on Friday and the 250cc class on Saturday. Pedro Gonzalez was one of the other winners after topping the 250cc calss on Friday. A "I had a few injuries that were giving me a little trouble, but I feel good tonight," Gonzalez said. "It's aU better now. There were some problems on the track but we all have to deal with it." Suzuki's Jeff Gibson spent the weekend as either the fastest man on the track or the fastest guy nowhere near the front. He parlayed a holeshot into a wire-to-wire win in Saturday's 125cc fina I. Gibson see m s v e r y comfortable on the new bikes after stints on Cannondales and Hondas. "My new SuzukijBill's Pipes/AXO/RG3 bikes are really working good for me," Gibson said. "I have a ride supposedly up until the East Coast Supercross season starts. We are in discussions and I don't know right now." His teammate and defending champion Buddy Antunez rode well in spite of minor but nagging injuries, and played it safe for the most part. When told he has the heart of a true Gladiator, he responded, "I've seen the movie and I see the similarities. Our motorcycles are the weapons and we suit for two nights in a row to do battle. My success boils down to a lot of preparation with me and the Bill's Pipes/RG3 Suzuki team. I have trained harder for this series than I have for any other." Rusty Holland, visibly limping, shared the Ironman Award for the weekend. His consistent speed netted him a podium finish in all the events except Friday's 125cc battle. Greg Rand, on the GP Motorsports/Renthal/Pro-X/Pro Action Yamaha, was another of the walking wounded. Rand rode every race there was, every night, 'making the finals through the LCQ in all of his events. Two new names appeared on the podium on Friday night, Chad Johnson and Tom Hofmaster. Johnson was ecstatic about his finish, as this is his first season with the National Arenacross regulars and wasn't expecting to make a podium this soon. "It felt good," he said. "The track was a lot of fun and I just rode my hardest." His cause was aided by a pileup that left the usual frontrunners in a heap on the arena floor. Tommy Hofmaster, a veteran of the wars, also saw the opportunity to put in a great, error-free ride and nailed the final podium behind Willoh in the 125cc class on Friday "I got a good start and tried hitting all the good lines," Hofmaster said. "There were a few pileups out there and Chad was riding good and he came through the pack and caught me. I'm happy to get third though." FRIDAY Heat winners Antunez, Gibson and Willoh lined up to settle the issue in the 125cc final. Willoh nailed the start with Antunez attacking immediately. When they barreled into turn three, everyone played "all fall down." Gibson and Holland took each other and half the pack out when they bailed hard. Antunez avoided the melee but dumped it a lap later coming out of the whoop section. Hofmaster inherit· ed second with newcomer Chad Johnson in tow. Hofmaster looked to have a lock on the lead but the excitable Johnson pressured until he found a hole and snuck through before the checkers. The final order ended up being, WilIoh, Jeff Willoh was the only double winner in Baltimore, Maryland, winning the 125cc main on Friday and the 250Cc main on Saturday. 14 FEBRAURY 7,2001 • cue I • n e _ so