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/128204
National Arenacross Series Round 12: Mid-America Center Ilia sllill Pelfllil lIe Josh Demuth clinches with room to spare By DAVE DERINGER PHOTOS BY RAYMOND GUNDY CO(]NCll Bl(]FFS, lA, FEB. 21·22 . . osh Demuth has a lot to smile . . about these days. The friendly 23year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, dominated the 12th stop of the National Arenacross Series and emerged with his second consecutive Arenacross title. Demuth won all four main events aboard his Shogun-backed Yamaha YZF four-strokes, and in doing so, he distanced himself far enough from the second-placed points holder to clinch the title with two rounds still remaining on the tour. Demuth is now shooting for the all-time series record of 28 wins in a single season set by Buddy Antunez two years ago, and with his four wins added to his already incredible total, Demuth only needs one win to tie and two to break the record. "I just can't believe how well we are doing this year," Demuth said from the podium. "My whole life has changed, and I really believe that the good Lord is the most awesome person in the world. I have a wonderful wife and two great kids, and I need to thank my parents and my mechanic Jack Yost, who is not only a great friend, but a companion, too. I'm having a great time here with my family, friends and teammates, and it feels great to get this second championship. They said that the first one was a fluke, but 1 showed them this time. This was a real team effort, and I want to thank Yamaha for backing us." Demuth's teammate Tommy Hofmaster had a strong weekend, also, and with the absence of Kawasaki's Darcy Lange (see Briefly), Hofmaster shot up from fourth in the points to second, passing Buddy Antunez in the process, as well. Hofmaster went 8-2-4-2 throughout the 125 and 250cc finals on Friday and Saturday respectively and won both Dash-forCash races. He has a slight chance of winning the DFC title, but he has his work cut out for him. His main focus is holding off rival, friend and longtime idol Antunez for second place in the final points standings. The two have eight main events remaining and have been going back and forth for several weeks now. This battle is 50 MARCH 12,2003' c: Y c: I • n • 'IV S really shaping up, and the bragging rights of the number-two plate plus the bonuses that go along with it are hefty, too . "I've picked it up in the last few weeks and have been riding like the way I should," Hofmaster said. "Me and the Bud Man are going at it, and I'd like to hold him off to the end just as a goal for myself. I've looked up to Bud for a long time, and we've become good friends, too, but I'm going to do all I can to hold him off." And what does he think about his teammate Demuth's winning the championship? "He ran me down in that 250cc final on Saturday somehow, and he works really hard and deserves it," Hofmaster said. "We have a great team, and I really like what we have going on here." Antunez took his RG3/AXO-backed Suzuki to the podium twice over the weekend as he went 3-7-3-5. He was feeling under the weather for most of the weekend, but it did not show on the track. Antunez is now only two points behind Hofmaster, 673-671, and the five-time Arenacross Champion is looking to grab the number-two plate after starting the season off quite slowly. Antunez said, "I was so tired this weekend. I was riding as hard as I could because Tommy and I have a tight points race gOing. We've been going at it since Guthrie, and it's going to go down to the end. He's a good kid, and we are having a good time, so we'll see what happens." Another good battle in the points is for fifth, sixth and seventh. Tamer/Storm Lake Honda's Justin Brayton, Kawasaki privateer Chad Johnson, from Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and California's Evan Laughridge are all battling for positions. Johnson had one of his better weekends in some time, and the SoCal/Hammertime/JPC-sponsored rider went 2-85-4 throughout the four finals. Brayton took his Hondas to 5-6-6-3 finishes, while Laughridge rode his Suzukis to 11-3-2-8 scores. Brayton holds fifth in the points only 11 points ahead of Johnson, who is only one point ahead of Laughridge. Johnson and his father travel the circuit together, and after turning down a ride earlier in the year, it