Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128138
National Arenacross Series Rounds 1 1/1 :2: Van Andel Arena STORY AND PHOTOS BY RAYMOND P. GUNDY GRAND RAPIDS, fill, JAN. 4-5 ".&, hi Ie the opening round of the " EA Sports Supercross Series was getting under way in California, so was the lIth and 12th rounds of the National Arenacross Series in the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it was former supercross rider Damon Bradshaw who got things started with a sweep of Friday night's races. But Bradshaw couldn't make it a perfect weekend, as series leader Josh Demuth rebounded on Saturday to win both 125 and 250cc main events. Even though both riders came away with a pair of wins, Demuth came away with a couple of more points on Bradshaw, who had been gaining on the points leader ever since the second stop on the circuit. But Bradshaw did have a perfect night on Friday, because he also scored the win in the Dash For Cash. Bradshaw actually closed to within five points of Demuth after Friday's racing action, but a pair of third-place finishes on Saturday saw that gap open back up to 13 points. "Friday went good," Bradshaw said when all was over. "The heat went well and I had no semis or LCQs, but tonight I rode them all in the 250cc class. I think Saturday went well even after the night we had. I had to start on the back line in the 250 main. I got two third places for the night; I could have gotten worse. I had a perfect night on Friday, but tonight was different. " Demuth was able to make the anything more. I went 2-3 Friday night and 1-1 Saturday night. The track was podium in all four mains, as he went 2-3 on Friday and I-Ion Saturday. "I had a great night winning both tough Friday; it was a one-line race. But tonight was better, the track had a mains," Demuth said. " Also, we had a few places to pass. I think I got a few baby girl this week. I couldn't ask for points back on Bradshaw. I feel better." Darcy Lange had good 250cc mains, as he went 2-2 in both and also took the Dash for Cash on Saturday, as well as the Powerade Holeshot money. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to pull off a podium in the 125cc mains. FRIDAY Demuth got things started by taking the holeshot in Friday's 125cc main event, but Bradshaw made sure that he wasn't going to stay there for long. Bradshaw passed Demuth on the first lap and took off. Demuth, however, stayed just close enough to Bradshaw to keep him honest, but the former supercross star kept his cool and rode off with the win ahead of Demuth. That battle of the race was for third between Rusty Holland and teammate Brad Hagseth. For 13 laps, Holland held Hagseth at bay during their exciting battle but eventually gave way to the ever-persistent Hagseth. Once Hagseth passed Holland, the race mellowed out as Bradshaw led the way. Hagseth went on to finish third behind Demuth, while Holland took fourth. Denny Stephenson finished fifth ahead of Jeff Willoh, Darcy Lang, Chad Johnson and Tommy Hofmaster. The 250cc main saw Lange jump 04!.. to the early lead, but he had