Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

(Left) Jeff Gibson Is proving his mettle on the factory Suzuki squad. He rode his Scotty Haynes-tuned Suzukis to three podiums and a fourth - and the fourth came after his teammate Antunez took him out for the lead late in Friday's 125cc main. (RiglrQ Friday night's 125cc main gets underway. FRIDAY Thor/Honda/Tuf Racing's Jeff Willoh grabbed the start of the 125cc fInal with his teammate Rusty Holland and Suzuki-pilots Antunez and Gibson trailing. Antunez moved into second quickly. but Holland block-passed both Antunez and Willoh on the third lap and the two were slowed enough that they had to roll the large double. Gibson elected to jump the double and he split the two riders upon landing. although he did have contact with Antunez. Two laps later while leading, Hoiland threw it away in the rockers and handed the lead to Gibson who would take over for the next 11 laps. St. Louis Powersports/Kawasaki's Denny Stephenson was having one of his better rides since breaking some ribs several weeks earlier and he moved by Willoh for third halfway through the 16-lap final. Antunez closed in on and followed Gibson in the final laps and. two corners from the finish. he saw his opportunity. Antunez made an aggressive pass on his teammate that saw Gibson hit the deck and subsequently get passed by two more riders as he struggled to get back into the race. Antunez took his 16th win of the year followed by Stephenson. Willoh. Gibson and St. Louis Powers ports/ Thor/Pro Circuit's Pedro Gonzales. Antunez was booed by the Hampton fans on the podium and said. "I'm sorry if you guys diOO't like that. but sometimes we make contact and that's all part of the game." Gibson was a little reluctant to make a scene about his new teammate and commented. "It wasn't all that bad. Rubbing is racing I guess." Ancae/Oneal/One Industries' Travis Hodges grabbed the jump in the 250cc final and led for one straight until he hit a retaining fence post that broke his hand and took him to the ground. His crash took out Antunez in the process. and Carrollton Kawasaki/Pro Circuitrrag's Darcy Lange was the big benefactor as he became the early leader. For the Canadian Lange who won three finals last year. the new season has not produced as good of results as expected. but things were about to change. Gonzales. Sussex Motorsports/RRP's Ty Wallace. Willoh and Gibson trailed Lange in the opening laps as Antunez slowly got back into the race. Willoh and Gibson motored into second and third several laps later and were gunning for Lange. but by lap six. Lange had already established a four-second lead_ Three laps later. Gibson passed Willoh for second and Lange was still gapping himself from the field. Several laps later. it was apparent that Lange was going to take his first win of the year. as he led Gibson by nearly six seconds. Antunez was still trying to get through the pack but it was basically a lost cause. Lange took the win in convincing fashion with Gibson. Willoh. Gonzales and Holland rounding out the top five. "I've been in a real slump this year and this win should really boost my confidence." Lange later said. SATURDAY Antunez was the early leader of the 125cc final with Gibson. Gonzales. Thor/ Honda/ Tuf Racing's Chad Johnson and GP Motorsports/SoCal's Brandon Bartz chasing. Demuth. Willoh and Stephenson were back in the pack and had some ground to make up in the early laps. Antunez had his eyes set on win number 17 for the season and not much was going to stop him. Gibson and Gonzales battled for several laps before Gibson finally got the upper hand. then he began to gain ground and close on Antunez_ In the final laps. Gibson gave Antunez a few shots for the lead in the whoops. but nobody was going to get by Antunez and he crossed for the win. Gibson settled for a strong second with Gonzales not far off in third. Demuth charged through for fourth with Chad Johnson rounding out the top five. Antunez said. "Jeff was pushing me hard late in the race. but I just focused forward for the win." Holland grabbed the 250cc holeshot with Gibson. Lange. Demuth and Johnson in tow. while Antunez and Gibson were picking themselves up after a first tum mishap. Holland led for some time until his injuries from his numerous crashes caught up to him. Holland slowly dropped back through the field and Gibson took over the point. Demuth also made several passes and he worked his way into second with several laps to go. The surprise was Wisconsin's Chad Johnson who has been coming into his own lately. Johnson motored through the pack into third with Midwest rival Tommy Hofrnaster on his tail in the final laps. but he held on for third at the finish behind Demuth and Gibson. "This is only my second time on the podium and it feels really good," the 18-year-old Arenacross rookie. Johnson. said. "I made up some points on Willoh and Buddy this weekend and that's all I can really do right now," Gibson said of his current points situation. "I really thought that I'd be racing Supercross. so now I have to catch up." _ Jeff WIIIoh raced to the podium In both main events on Friday night. Saturday 125 PRO (16 laps): \. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 2. Jeff Gibson (Suz); 3. Pedro Gonzales (Ka.,); 4. Josh Demuth (Ka.,): 5. Chad Johnson (Hon); 6. Tommy Holmaster (Vam): 7. Jeff Willoh (Hon); 8. Denny Stephenson (Kaw): 9. Rusty Holland (Hon); 10. Darcy Lange (Ka.,): 11. Brandon Bartz (Vam); 12. Milte Mason (Hon); 13. Robby McQuarry (Vam); 14. Greg Rand (Vam): 15. Kevin Crine (Hon). 250 PRO (20 laps); 1. Jeff Gibson (Suz); 2. Josh Demuth (Ka.,); 3. Chad Johnson (Hon); 4. Tommy Hofmaster (YlIm); 5. Denny Stephenson (Kaw); 6. Darcy Lange (Kaw); 7. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 8. Rusly Holland (Hon); 9. Pedro Gonzales (Kaw); 10. Jeff Willoh (Hon): 11. Ty Wallace (Vam); 12. Brandon Bartz (Yam); 13. Kevin Crine (Hon); 14. Bryan Piccirelli (Hon): 15. Greg Rand (Vam). KAWASAKI 65cc INVITATIONAL; 1. Sean Hackley Jr. (Kaw); 2. Devon Pilkington (KlIw); 3. Kyle Wemer (Ka.,): 4. Broc Schmelynn (Ka.,); 5. Bobby Buhr (Ka.,); 6. William Duffy (Ka.,); 7. Dian Klinger (Kaw); 8. Davey Fraser (Kaw); 9. Jamie Williams (Kew); 10. Alex Hindle (Kaw); 11. Trevor Schield. (Ka.,); 12. Scott Weir (Ka.,); 13. Charles Sari (Kew); 14. Trevor Harris (Kaw). DFC (4 lap.): 1. Jeff Gibson (Ka.,); 2. Pedro Gonzales (Ka.,): 3. Rusty Holland (Hon); 4. Chad Johnson (Hon); 5. Buddy Antunez (Suz). JUMP-OFF; I. Mike Mason (Hon); 2. Tommy Hofmaster (Yom); 3. Josh Demuth (Kaw); 4. Jeremy Riesenberg (Hon). SFX/NATIONAL ARENACROSS SERIES POINT STANDINGS (After 9 Of 17 round.): 1. Buddy Antunez (573/17 .,Ins); 2. Jeff Willoh (479/5 wins); 3. Jeff Gibson (433/5 wins); 4. Pedro Gonzales (393/1 win); 5. Ru.ty Holland (344/1 win); 6. Denny Stephenson (335/1 Win); 7. Oarcy Lange (327/1 win); 8. Tommy Hofmaster (316); 9. Josh Demuth (314/2 wins); 10. Travis Hodges (191); 11. Ty Wallace (186): 12. Chad Johnson (183); 13. Kevin Crine (176): 14. Nick Merlcalf (174/1 .,in): 15. Marco Dube (130); 16. Greg Rand (126): 17. Isaiah Johnson (105); 18. Brandon Bartz (87); 19. Mike Mason (84); 20. Mike Katin (82). HamptDn Coil..... ....pIDa. Yirgini.l IInaIts: Jan.., 26-27. 2001 lRoand. at 171 Friday 125 PRO (16 lap.): 1. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 2. Denny Stephenson (Ka.,); 3. Jeff Wllloh (Hon): 4. Jeff Gibson (Suz); 5. Pedro Gonzale. (Ka.,); 6. Josh Demuth (Ka.,): 7. Travis Hodge. (HQI1): 8. Ty Wallace (Vam); 9. Chad Johnson (Hon); 10. Darcy Lange (Ka.,); 11. Bryan Piccirelli (Hon); 12. Tommy Holmaster (Vam); 13. Greg Rand (Vam); 14. Rusty Holland (Hon): 15. Kevin Crine (Hon). 250 PRO (20 lap.): 1. Darcy Lange (Ka.,); 2. Jeff Gibson (Suz); 3. Jeff Wllioh (Hon); 4. Pedro Gonzales (Ka.,): 5. Rusty Holland (Hon); 6. Ty Wallllce (Vern); 7. Kevin Crine (Hon); 8. Josh Demuth (Ke...); 9. Tommy Hofmaster (Vem); to. Buddy Antunez (Suz); I\. Brandon Bartz (Vam); 12. Denny Stephenson (Ka.,); 13. Chad Ule (Hon); 14. Travis Hodges (Hon); 15. Shawn Morgan (Vam). KAWASAKI 65cc INVITATIONAL; I. Sean HaCkley Jr (Ke...); 2. Devon Pilkington (Kew); 3. Dian Klinger (Kaw); 4. William Duffy (Kaw); 5. Davey Fraser (Ke ... ); 6. Kyle Werner eKew); 7. Brae Schmelynn (Ka.,); 8. AI.. Hindle (Kaw); 9. Bobby Buhr (Kew); 10. Trevor Schields (Ke...); 11. Perry Bos.,ell (Kaw): 12. Cody Wilson (Ka.,); 13. Ryan Zimmer (Ka.,); 14. Tyler Webber (Ka.,). DFC (4 Laps); 1. Jeff Gibson (Suz); 2. Buddy Antunez. (Suz); 3. Rusty Holland (Hon); 4. Travis Hodges (Hon); 5. Darcy Lange (Kaw); 6. Sha.,n Morgan (Vam). JUMP-QFF: 1. Tommy Hofmaste.r (Yam); 2. Josh Demuth (Ka.,); 3. Jeremy Riesenberg (Hon). Upcoming Rounds: Round 10 - Columbus. Ohio. February 2-3 Round 11 - Milwaukee. WISCOOSin. February 9-10 BRIEFLY. •• It was a bad weekend for injuries at Hampton as three major players of the tour all got banged up. New Mexico's Travis Hodge. broke his hand on Friday after holeshotling the 250cc final and immediately hitting a pole that holds up a retaining fence on the inside of the comer. Colorado's Shawn Morgan broke his foot when he and Antunez collided on Friday. and Thor/Honda's Rusty Holland went down hard twice on Friday and he took a trip to the hospital as well. Hodges said on Saturday that the doctor in the local hospital looked at all three of the riders as they were all in at the same time and said. "' don't know what to do with you guys. You're going to need pins [Hodges]. you're going to need screws [Morgan]. and you need to relax [Holiandl. " As with eNery year of Arenacross. a Dash for Ca.h series is held within the regular Arenacross series. This year. sponsor Phoenix DSL High Speed Internet Connections. has put up the money for the top four riders in the year-end points. After Hampton. Antunez leads that series as well. Antunez has two wins and 46 points. Second is Gibson with five wins and 36 points. Holland is third with two wins and 28 points. The overall winner wili pocket a $5000 bonus. cue •• n e _ s • FEBRUARY 14. 2001 31

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