Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

m Own Race ® Tommy Hofmaster Shogun Yamaha's Tommy Hofmaster lives only 20 miles from the arena and was the crowd favorite. Coming into Rockford, Hofmaster held down second in points and had not finished worse than sixth. The pressure must have got to the 23-year-old because, as he said, "Without that win on Saturday night. this weekend would have been terrible." Hofmaster made the podium in third in the 125cc final on Friday but knocked himself out in the 250cc final later that night. On Saturday, he finished 10th in the 125cc final but proved himself in the 250cc main by taking the win. "I led about 15 laps, and then the Bud Man [Antunez) got by me because I was getting tired," he said. "I then got a second wind in the last few laps and block-passed him for the win. That was one of my best races ever. I was really trying too hard to do well in front of all my friends and family on Friday and was just a mess. I slept well on Friday night and just forgot about everybody and went back to what I've been doing throughout the year so far, and I rode way better on Saturday." @@ Isaiah Johnson Valvolinerruf Kawasaki's Johnson has had a rough time in Arenacross so far this year. Rockford proved to be his best outing yet, as he went 7-9-6-14 over the weekend. "I'm finally healing up and getting back up to speed," he said after the event. "I'm looking forward to these next few weeks off and getting it rolling after the holidays." Johnson is currently II th in points. {J Chad Johnson The lone privateer from Wisconsin has also not seen the success in this year's series like he did last year, but Rockford marked a turnaround for the SoCalfHammertime Kawasaki-sponsored rider. Johnson's best finish was a fifth in Friday's 250cc main, and with a sixth, 12th and 10th, Johnson holds 13th in the point standings. "Me and Pedro Gonzales will be teaming up in the same truck and trailer after this weekend because we have many of the same sponsors. so hopefully I can ride with him and learn a few things over the next few weeks, too,' Johnson remarked. cD to take the win. It was good for Tommy because that whole crowd was cheering him on. I felt my best of the year this weekend and I'm going to keep trying to improve. It was great to be back on the podium. They've definitely done their homework while I was gone.' Jeff Willoh Also a full-blown privateer now, Califomia's Jeff Willoh is doing his own thing across the country aboard his Fun Center Suzukis. "I don't know if I'm gettiing slower or if they are getting faster, but I need to get this figured out," said Wilioh. "A few years ago, I was winning these things.' Willoh went 8- 11-7-7 over the weekend and holds sixth in points going into Fort Worth, Texas, after Christmas. 1] § Tom Kelley GPSracing.comfFlyfPirelli-backed Kelley made all four main events in the highly competitive field with his best finish being a 10th in Friday's 250cc final. A 13th and two 15ths on Friday, along with a win in Friday's Jump-Off contest, will help the friendly Ohio-based native make it to the next round. Kelley is in 14th in the points with 81. ridge had his best arenacross show- ends of the year. The Californian fin- ing of his rookie year at Rockford. ished ninth and eighth, respectively, in the 125 and 250cc finals on Friday The Forest Ranch, California, resident Roberts; 2. Christian Cochran; 3. Devin Reed; 4. Chris Antolak; 5. Joey Dalzell: 6. Justin Freund; 7. Kyle Cooke: 8. Durk Roper; 9. Lukes Katers; 10. Vaughn Mays; 11. Ryan Howerton; 12. Zach Wlillace: 13. Brandon Pope: 14. Steven Dlinhof. Saturday 125 PRO: 1. Josh Demuth (Yem); 2. Dercy Lange (Kaw); 3. Buddy Antunel (SUI); 4. Even Laughridge (SUI); 5. Phil Lawrence (Yam): 6. Isaiah Johnson (KlIw); 7. Jeff Willoh (SUI); 8. Pedro Gonzales (KllIw); 9. Chris Whitcraft (Yam); 10. Tommy Hofrnaster (YlIm); 11. Justin Brllyton (Hon); 12. Chlld Johnson (Kaw): 13. Michllel Koch (YlIm); 14. Chad Pederson (Yam); 15. Tom Kelley (Suz). 250 PRO: 1. Tommy Hofmester (Yem): 2. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 3. Josh Demuth (Yam); 4. Darcy Lange (Kaw); 5. EVlIn l..lIughridge (Suz); 6. Pedro Gonzales (Kaw); 7. Jeff Willoh (Suz); 8. Brandon Bartz (Kaw); 9. Phil Lawrence (Yam); 10. Chad Johnson (Kaw); 11. Justin Bryton (Hon); 12. Gavin Grayck (Kaw); 13. Rusty Holland (KlIw); 14. Isaieh Johnson (Kaw); 15. Tom Kelley (Suz). JUMP-OFF: I. Ryon Poulter (KTM); 2. Jodd Knox (Kaw): 3. Tom Kelley (Suz). DFC: I. Rusty Holland (Kaw); 2. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 3. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 4. Josh Demuth (Yam). KAWASAKI 65cc INVITATIONAL: I. James Roberts; 2. Devin Reed; 3. Gavin Faith: 4. Jared Schudel; 5. Andrew Janny; 6. Ryan Howerton; 7. Justin Freund: 8. Lukas Katers; 9. Chris Antolak: 10. Vaughn Mays: I 1. Joey Dalzell: 12. Sean Heronemus; 13. Dustin McDonald; 14. Zach Wallace. time on him, but he came in on me on the last lap and just shut the door was consistently in the top five all and third and second, respectively, weekend and took a Dash-for-Cash on Saturday. Antunez led much of the win on Friday. His 2-4-4-5 showing is Lange in the closing laps. He then Friday 125 PRO: I. Josh Demuth (Yam); 2. Evan Laughridge (Suz); 3. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 4. Pedro Gonzales (Kew); 5. Darcy Lange (KlIw); 6. Chad Johnson (Kaw); 7. Isaiah Johnson (K8W); 8. Jeff Willoh (Suz); 9. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 10. Brandon Bartz (Kaw); II. Chris Whitcraft (YlIm); 12. Justin Brayton (Hon); 13. Tom Kelley (Suz); 14. Chad Pederson (Yam); 15. Jeremiah Johnson (Yam). 250 PRO: I. Darcy Llinge (Kaw); 2. Josh Demuth (Yam); 3. Phil Lawrence (Yam); 4. Evan Laughridge (Suz); 5. Chad Johnson (Kaw); 6. Pedro Gonzales (Kaw); 7. Gavin Grayck (Kaw); 8. Buddy Antunez (SUI); 9. Isaiah Johnson (Kaw); 10. Tom Kelley (Su,): I I. Jeff Wllioh (5u,); 12. Chad Pederson (Yam); 13. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam): 14. Charley Bogard (SUI); 15. Justin Brayton (Hon). JUMp·OFF: 1. Tom Kelley (SUI); 2. Judd Knox (Kaw); 3. Chadwick Johnson (Kaw). DFC: I. Evan Laughridge (Suz): 2. Isaiah Johnson (Yam): 3. Josh Demuth (Ytlm): 4. Jeff Willoh (SUI). KAWASAKI 65cc INVITATIONAL; I. James NATIONAL ARENACROSS SERIES POINT STANDINGS (Arter 8 of 28 rounds): I. Josh Demuth (296/9 wins): 2. Dllrcy Lange (255/3); 3. Tommy Hofmaster (245/3); 4. Buddy Antunez (208); 5. Pedro Gon,ales (163/1); 6. Jeff Wilioh (157); 7. Evan Laughridge (149); 8. Phil Lawrence (147): 9. Brad Hagseth (138); 10. Justin Brayton (129): 11. Isaiah Johnson (118); 12. Kelly Smith (113); 13. Chlld Johnson (89): 14. Tom Kelley (81): 15. Chris Whitcraft (78); 16. Rusty Holland (70); 17. Gavin Grayck (46); 18. Dave Oettel (43); 19. Barry ClIrsten 125cc main on Saturday but was evidence that he is learning quite a bit from his five-time Arenacross Metro Centre Rockford, Illinois Results: December 6-7, 2002 (Rounds 7-81 (29); 20. Shawn Clark (23). block-passed by Demuth and then Champion teammate Buddy Antunez. took the lead from Tommy Hofmaster BRIEFLY••• The second-place finish came on Friday night in the 125cc final. in the 250cc final later that night, but Hofmaster came back to take the win Tuf RaCing owner Dave Antolak had a busy weekend at Rockford. Not only was he busy run- "I wasn't planning on even going in what was an amazing race that had out for the Dash on Friday because I the crowd on its feet. Antunez sits wanted to save some energy, but my mechanic made some changes to the fourth in the points and, surprisingly, is still looking for his first win of the bike and wanted me to go out there year. and try it: Laughridge said. "I got the "I had a sore wrist coming into the holeshot and hung on for four laps, and it was pretty cool. I'm getting series, but it's getting better now,' Antunez said of his slow start. "I'm some good starts and have been rid- still making little mistakes like that ing good, and we've done some test- line I chose while leading the 125cc ing in the last few weeks and have the main on Friday. I thought that downed rider would have got up bikes working really good. I just try to stay smooth and strong in the finals, mng his race team. but he was also keeping an eye on his son Chris. who was entered In the Kawasaki 65cc inVitational. Chns finished fourth In Friday's race and ninth on Saturday. Sta)l1ng busy himself. Chns sang the national anthem ,n front of the crowd on Fnday Seeing as Rockford IS the hometown race for Tommy Hofmaster. hiS Shogun teammates. Josh Demuth and Phil Lawrence. both wore the number-three Hofmaster/Thor Jersey in hiS honor throughout Friday's event. -It was cool that they did that. - Hofmaster said. -I've got to thank the people at Clear Channel for hooking me up with those tickets. because I had a lot of fans here this weekend I think they all had a lot of fun. too.Richmond Kawasaki's Brad Hagseth was a no-show at Rockford after injunng hiS collarbone in a local race over the ThanksgIVIng holiday... He should be back by Fort Worth. Guthne for sure." team mechanic Ian Woods said. Hagseth dropped from Sixth to ninth in POints. and it's going better now." him, and Josh went under to block Shogun Yamaha's Phil Lawrence (nght> rode a YZ450F In the 250cc class for the first time thiS year and had some better results. .. Me and Tommy tested the 450Fs before the season started and we both thought that they Laughridge is now seventh in the points after his strong performances me. Then I couldn't jump the cata- were just too much indoors for arenacross," Lawrence at Rockford. He now has 149 points and is only 15 points out of fifth place. Antunez had one of his best week- faster, and I went to the outside of pult, and Darcy got by, so I just settled for third. "Then in that 250cc race," Antunez said, "I got by Tommy in the said. "Josh has been doing great on that thing, and Tommy has too on the 250cc two-stroke. but I haven'l done what I want. so I went back and gave it a try. I have one at home and have been riding it more and really like it. I'll probably stay with it from now on." lawrence finished third on the bike in Friday's 250cc final. whoops and thought I was making cue I e n e _ S • JANUARY 8, 2003 27

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