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National Championship Arenacross Series, Presented by Speed Stick Rounds 25·26: Arco Ar a , - The start gate (left) was about the only place on the .track that anyone had a chance of hanging with Darcy Lange (below). who swept all four mains and the two Dashes For Cash. with the leaders. Lange recovered and set his sights back on Hofmaster, and about halfway through the race, the pressure was more than Hofmaster could handle, so Lange took the lead once again. With two laps remaining, Demuth pulled up to the rear fender of Hofmaster and passed him for second. He tried valiantly to catch Lange, who had built up a five· second lead, but to no avail, and the B.C. phenom blew through Sacra· mento with a six· race (including the Dash For Cash events) sweep. After getting passed by Demuth, Hofmaster stayed in third for his second podium of the weekend. eN Area Arena Sacramenlo, California Results: February 23·24, 2002 (Rounds 25-26J STORY [, PHOTOS BY EDDIE GRAVELINE/WWW.MOTOPRESS.NET SACRAMENTO, CA, FEB, 22·23 I f you were afraid that Damon Brad· shaw's leg injury and subsequent early departure from the Arenacross series was going to make the rest of the year boring, you can stop worry· ing, It's true that the early points battle was a two· rider affair between Bradshaw and Josh Demuth, but just because the rivalry was broken up early, a deeply talented pool of riders awaited a chance to get in the spot· light. One of them • Canadian Darcy Lange . has seized that opportunity and, if nothing else, is keeping Demuth honest until the end of the season. Heading into Sacramento, a II Demuth really needed to concentrate on was riding smartly until the end of the season. With a points lead of over 1DO, time was on his side. Demuth has a little personality quirk, though: He's obsessed with winning races. Conventional wisdom is lost on him, and he can't be convinced to ride conservatively in the interest of his first Arenacross championship. It may not be what his team wants to hear, but it sure is working out for the fans. Demuth's obsession combined with Lange's determination to estab· lish himself as a top rider in the Unit· ed States. made for a great weekend of racing. The huge, enthusiastic throng of fans was treated to a rarity in the world of dirt·bike racing: a weekend· long, four·main sweep by Tuf Kawasaki's Lange. He may be from north of the border, but there's no doubt that this kid is starting to feel comfortable stateside, especially in the warmth of the Golden State. "It feels great to go out there and win all four this weekend and come away with a clean sweep," Lange said. "Josh is riding good, and I'm 54 MARCH 13.2002' cue •• just glad to be up there beating him. He's got 97 points on me now after tonight. I gained points on him this weekend. I'd like to keep doing that, but it's going to take more than that to win the championship. But anything can happen." FRIDAY Lange and Demuth both looked comfortable and confident going into the 125cc main event, but it was Ohio privateer Tom Kelley who got the holeshot. Kelley rocketed through the first turn aboard his Suzuki, lead· ing a freight train of superstars, but he was soon passed by Lange, Demuth and Tommy Hofrnaster. Hofmaster was riding well aboard his Pro Source Yamaha, but the real duel for the win was between Demuth and Lange. The two had a great bat· tIe going, but in the end, Lange was able to keep his KX125 ahead of the YZ250F of Demuth. The best thing about arenacross is that the top guys are on the track so often. Less than half an hour after the 125cc race, they're back for the 250cc main. Lange got the holeshot and would not let go or make a mis· take. Demuth moved into second place early, but he was never given an opportunity to try a pass. Lange rode a masterful race, looking partic· ularly fast through the trick whoop and rhythm sections. Local boy Rusty Holland was able to outlast Hofmaster in a duel for the final podium spot. Lange's clean sweep of the evening's racing was more evidence that he is a force to be reckoned with. Demuth still had a very comfortable points lead, but momentum seemed to be shifting in the Canadian's favor. SATURDAY Even though Friday and Saturday nights are completely separate rounds, the drama always seems to n e _ s peak on Saturday. In the 125cc main, Holland bolted out of the gate and took the holeshot money. As Lange and Demuth settled in behind him, Holland looked unstoppable. He led nearly every lap until casing a jump and tweaking his wrist, and both Lange and Demuth got by. For two laps, those two went bar to bar, but again, it was Lange taking the checkers. Holland held on for a hard· earned third. Hofmaster took the holeshot award in the weekend's final main. Lange made a move for the lead in the first turn but bobbled entering the follow· ing whoop section, and Hofmaster maintained his advantage. Demuth had gotten a decent start, but he had some work to do before he could dice Friday 125: 1. Dorey Longe (Ko.,); 2. Josh Demuth (Yom): 3. Tommy Hofmaster (Yem): 4. Casey Lytle (Yom); 5. Rusty Holland (Su,): 6. Jeff Wilioh (Hon); 7. Tiger Locey (Suz); 8. Chad Johnson (Hon); 9. Tom Kelley (Su,); 10. Jeromy Buehl (Hon): 11. Robby McQuary (Yom); 12. Phil Lawrence (Suz); 13. Travis Hodges (Vern); 14. Nick Metcalf (Suz); 15. Sean Hamblin (Yam). 2S0: 1. Darey Longe (Ko.,); 2. Josh Demuth (Yom); 3. Rusty Holland (Su,): 4. Tommy Hofmester (Yem); 5. Chad Johnson (Hon); 6. Daniel Blajr (Vam); 7. Jeromy Buehl (Hon); 8. Ryen Terlecki (Suz); 9. Phil Lewrence (SUl): 10. Jeff Willoh (Han); J 1. Trevis Hodges (Yem); 12. Nick Metcelf (Suz); 13. Demlen Viller (Yem): 14. Brad Hogseth (SOl); 15. Ttger Locey (SUl). 65: 1. Chris Plouffe (Kaw); 2. Dian Klinger (Kaw); 3. Joshua Greco (Kaw); 4. Blake Jump (Kaw); 5. Josh McPherson (Kaw); 6. Jared Lang (Kew); 7. Jake Locks (Kaw); 8. James Schuler (KOW!; 9. Cody Lombott (Kow): 10. Dakota May (Kow : 11. Gorrellioppolo (Kow); 12. Kyle Freitas (KllW ; 13. Brilln Foster (Kew); 14. Robert Duggan (Ko.,). Saturday 125: I. Dorey Longe (Kow): 2. Josh Demuth (Yom): 3. Rusty HoUond (Su,); 4. Jeromy Buehl (Hon); 5. Jen Willoh (Hon): 6. Chad Johnson (Hon): 7. Phil Lowrence (SOl); 8. Daniel Blair (Yom): 9. Travis Hodges (Yom): 10. Tom Kelley (SOl): 11. Tommy Holmaster (Yom); 12. Nick Metcolr (SOl); 13. Mike Mason (Hon): 14. TIger Locey (Su,); 15. Cosey Lytle (Yom). 250: I. Darcy Lange (Kaw); 2. Josh Demuth (Yam); 3. Tommy Hofmester (Yem); 4. Phil Lewrence (SOl); 5. Jeff Wllloh (Hon); 6. Jeremy Buehl (Hun): 7. Chad Johnson (Hon); 8. Trovis Hodges (Yom): 9. Mike Mason (Han); 10. Demien Villar (Yaml; 11. Rusty Holland (Suz); 12. Bred Hagseth (Suz ; 13. Ryen Terlecki (Suz); 14. Billy Jurevich (Suz); 15. Brendan Bertz (Kaw). 65: I. Brien Foster (Kaw); 2. Joshua Greco (Ka.,); 3. Blake Jump (Ko.,); 4. Dian Klinger (Ko.,); 5. Cody Lembott (Kaw); 6. James Schuler (Kaw): "1. Kyle Freitas (Kaw); 8. Correy Solis (KllW); 9. Dakotlll M,llY (KllW); 10. Jared LZlOg \Kew); 11. Metthew Cochran (Kew); 12. Gllrrett oppolo (Kaw); 13. Mlchllel Foster (Kaw); 14. Josh McPherson (Kew). NATIONAL ARENACROSS SERIES C'SHIP POINTS STANDINGS (After 26 rounds): I. Josh Demuth (898): 2. Dorey Longe (801); 3. Tommy Holmoster (699): 4. Chad Johnson (614): 5. Jen Willoh (607); 6. Rusty Holland (571): 7. Denny Stephenson (569): 8. Damon Bradshaw (563); 9. Brad Hagseth (542); 10. Mike Mason (218). Upcoming Rounds: Round· Portland, Oregon, March 1·3 Round· Oakland, California, March 8-10 Riding in front of his home crowd, Rusty Holland (8) made two podiums. Here, he leads Brad Hagseth.