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(Above) Buddy Antunez (100) didn't have a bad weekend, ending up with two second-place finishes and closing up to within nine points of second place in the points standings. Evan Laughridge (73) finished in the top five three times. (Left) Ryan Huffman's weekend didn't go as well as they usually have lately, though he did still score three podiums. Hofmaster took his fifth win of the series in Friday's 250cc main. After getting the holeshot and taking the lead, Hofmaster knew he had to ride smart the whole time. "I got a good start and got into the lead and started to ride smart," Hofmaster said. "I kept a good pace because I knew the race was going to be 20 laps, and I didn't want to get "tired. I knew Buddy was getting close, but 1 knew I found some nice lines that made me sure I had it." After last weekend's 250 win, it looked as if Antunez had a newfound drive to take another one this weekend. After a bad start, it looked as if he would have to settle for second overall. "I got out fourth and was able to get into second after a few good passes, but Hofmaster had a good lead by that time," Antunez said. "I put my head down and started a hard charge, hoping to catch him. I started to catch him by the 14th lap, but I made a few mistakes." After a bad start, Demuth decided to settle for third. "I got a bad start and had to work my way up to the front of the pack," he said. "I was able to make some good passes in the whoops to get up to third. In the end, I had no chance to get close to Antunez and Hofmaster - they had too big of a lead." Antunez got another second-place finish, as he was able to get by Lawrence for third and then slide into second place after Hofmaster dropped out. "I rode very well and got out into seventh and was able to make a few good passes to get up to second," Antunez said. "1 put my head down and rode well for a second-place finish overall. I wish I would have got a better start." In only his second weekend back, Lawrence was able to podium yet again, starting and finishing the race in third. "It was great for Shogun Yamaha to come out in the top three with Demuth in first, Hofmaster in second, and me in third," Lawrence said. "It was great to get out there in front of the pack. 1 have been feeling a little sick this week, so I wasn't sure I could keep the pace for the whole race, but I was able to hold on to third until the end. Then Antunez got me and then suddenly Tommy had dropped out of the top three. 1 was able to stay in third for the rest of the race." Demuth took his 23rd win of the series after a hard charge in the weekend's final race: Saturday's 250cc main. In the beginning, it was Suzuki teammates Laughridge and Antunez going at it for the lead while Demuth started making his way through the pack. Hofmaster decided to follow Demuth's lines and passes after being passed by him early on. As Laughridge faded and Antunez went down, it was Demuth who took the overall once again, making for a perfect night. "I tried the best I could to work my way through the pack," said a tired Demuth. "First, I got past my teammate Hofmaster, then got by Antunez when he went down, and I caught Laughridge as he started to fade. Then I went on for the win." After losing a position to Demuth and making a few mistakes, Hofmaster was able to come back and take second overall. "I got a good start and was able to make some good passes," Hofmaster said. "Then I made a mistake or two that gave Demuth a chance to pass me. I started to follow him for the rest of the race. He was able to take the lead, and I was able to get up to second behind him." A patient and hard-working Huffman made his way through the pack and snagged the last position on the podium. Huffman's been struggling with his starts lately. "I had a good start this time but went back into the pack," Huffman said. "I started a hard charge to get back up to third before the end of the race. I went back to eighth at one point and was able to get back to third in the end." Though he led early, Laughridge faded to fourth, just ahead of Justin Brayton. eN U.S. Cellular Arena Milwaukee, Wisconsin Results: February 7-8, 2003 [Rounds 21 and 221 Friday 12S I'IAIN: I. Josh Demuth (Yam): 2. JeffWilioh (SUl); 3. Ryan Huffman (Yam): 4. Justin Brayton (Hon); 5. Evan Laughridge (Suz); 6. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 7. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 8. Tom Kelley (Suz); 9. Brandon Bartz (Hon); 10. Brad Modjewski (Suz); 11. Kody Molitor (Kaw); J 2. Phil Lawrence (Yam); 13. Kyle Garro (Yam): 14. Chad Johnson (Kaw); 15. Chris Whitcraft (YlIm). 250 MAIN: 1. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 2. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 3. Josh Demuth (Yam); 4. Jeff WHloh (Suz); 5. Evan LlIughridge (Suz): 6. Justin Brayton (Hon); 7. Chad Johnson (Kaw): 8. Brandon &rt:z (Hon); 9. Phil Lawrence (Yam): 10. Roy Horton (Suz); II. Brad Ripple (Suz); 12. Tom Kelley (Suz); 13. Robby McQuary (Yam); 14. Kyle Garro (Yam); 15. Ryan Huffman (Yam). KAW 65 INVT'L: I. Devin Reed: 2. Jared Schudel; 3. Joey Dalzell; 4. Lukas Katers; 5. Ryan Howerton; 6. Chris Antolak; 7. Kyle Cooke; 8. Wade Gilbert: 9. Cody Trapp; 10. Brandon Pope: 11. Marshall Pilgram; 12. Erik Utech; 13. Ben Clawson; 14. Dylan Ciriacks. EXTREME JUMP-OFF: I. Robby McQuary (Yam); 2. Tom Kelley (Suz); 3. Justin Johns (Yam). DFC: 1. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 2. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 3. Ryan Huffman (Yam): 4. Phil Lawrence (Yam): 5. Justin Brayton (Hon); 6. Evan Laughridge (Suz). Saturday 125 MAIN: 1. Josh Demuth (Yam): 2. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 3. Phil Lawrence (Yam); 4. Chad Johnson (Kaw); 5. Ryan Huffman (Yam); 6. Justin Brayton (Hon); 7. Evan Laughridge (Suz); 8. Tom Kelley (Suz); 9. Brad Modjewski (Suz); 10. Robby McQuary (Yam); 11. Kyle Garro (Yam): 12. Bnmdon Bartz (Hon); 13. Roy Horton (Suz); 14. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 15. Jeff Willoh (Suz). 250 MAIN: I. Josh Demuth (Yam); 2. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 3. Ryan Huffman (Yam): 4. Evan Laughridge (Suz); 5. Justin Brllyton (Han); 6. Chad Johnson (Kaw); 7. Tom Kelley (Suz); 8. Phil Lawrence (YZlm): 9. Brad Modjewski (Suz): 10. Brandon Bartz (Kaw): 1 I. BrZld Ripple (Suz): 12. Buddy Antunez (Suz): 13. Shawn Morgan (Yam); 14. Kody Molitor (Kaw); 15. Jeff Willoh (Suz). KAW 65 INVT'L: I. Devin Reed: 2. Jared Schudel; 3. Gavin Faith: 4. Lukes Katers; 5. Joey Dalzell; 6. Chris Antolak: 7. Kyle Sandlin; 8. Brllndon Pope; 9. Marshall Pilgram: 10. Ryan Howerton; 11. Erik Utech: 12. Ben Clawson; 13. Dylan Ciriacks; 14. Kyle Cooke. EXTREME JUMP-OFF: I. Robby McQuary (Yam); 2. Tom Kelley (Suz); 3. Roy Horton (Suz). DFC: I. Evan Laughridge (SUI); 2. Justin Brllyton (Hon); 3. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 4. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 5. Josh Demuth (Yllm); 6. Ryan Huffman (Yam). NATIONAL ARENACROSS POINTS STANDINGS (After 22 of 28 rounds): I. Josh Demuth (795/23 wins): 2. Darcy LZlnge (622/11 wins); 3. Buddy Antunez (613/1 wins); 4. Tommy Hofmaster (611/5 wins); 5. Justin Brayton (423): 6. Evan Laughridge (414); 7. Chad Johnson (410): 8. Jeff WHloh (369); 9. Ryan Huffman (326/2 Wins); 10. Phil Lawrence (300/1 w;n): II. Tom Kelley (297): 12. Brad Hagseth (229); 13. Chris Whitcraft. (225); 14. Pedro Gonzalel (208/1 wins); 15. Jason Thomas (203); 16. Rusty Holland (165); 17. Isaiah Johnson (149): 18. Gavin Gracyk (147); 19. Brandon Bartz (116): 20. Kelly Smith (113). SATURDAY The three Shogun Yamahas came out of the gate in the top three positions in Saturday's 125cc main, as Demuth, Hofmaster and Lawrence ran up front. After all was said and done, it was Demuth who took the checkered flag. "I got into the lead and felt a little pressure from Hofmaster in the first part of the race," Demuth said. "Then Hofmaster disappeared, and I started to get into a groove and ride my own race for the win." Upcoming Rounds: Rounds 23-24 - Council Bluffs. Iowa, February 21-22 Rounds 25-26 - Sacramento, California, February 28-March 1 eye I • n e _ s FEBRUARY 26. 2003 55