Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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my Own Race {]@ Evan Laughridge. 6-4-5-7 RG3 Suzuki's Laughridge came into arenacross as a rookie and left as a veteran. Under the tutelage of team manager Billy Whitley and multitime champ Antunez, Laughridge learned a lot in the tight arenas and hopes to take that knowledge to supercross next year. He ended the series fifth after passing privateer Chad Johnson in the points. With 25 top fives, Laughridge showed why he earned the Horizon award from the AMA last year. "l've got to thank all the guys at Suzuki and my mechanic Ed Gardner," Laughridge said. "It's been a great opportunity, and I've learned from the best. I've had some good times and will remember everything no matter where I end up next year." (] Chad Johnson racing out there, no team tactics, and me and Bud just went at it. I've looked up to him for years, and to beat him is amazing." Five-time Arenacross champ Antunez took it all in stride like the champion he is. The Californian went 4-3-3-3 over the weekend and really put the pressure on Hofmaster. Although he came up one point short of second, Antunez did not miss a beat, congratulating Hofmaster on a job well done. The two have become good friends, and when all was said and done, it seemed as if he were just as happy for Hofmaster as he would have been for himself. "I brought my daughter Bailey out here with me to remind myself that Tommy is racing against my family, not just me," the RG3 Suzuki rider said. "I gave it everything I had out there. I pushed it and wanted it, but it didn't happen. He has come a long way and has a great future ahead of him. He has a great family and really deserves it." And what about some of the talk that says Antunez may be hanging it up after the season? "No, I'll be back next year," he said. "Josh's 33 wins gives me something to shoot for. I'm kind of glad he broke that record. I've got to come back for Billy Whitley, who has stood behind me for five championships and the champion-ship that we didn't win this year." Shogun Yamaha's third member "Factory" Phil Lawrence may have had his best weekend of the season at the Denver finale. Lawrence went 1- 7 -3-2 on his four-strokes and took his second victory of the year during Friday's 125cc main. After several injuries throughout the tour and missing a few rounds, Lawrence ended the season on a high note and finished the series in eighth in the final standings and had 13 top-five finishes. "I felt good a few times out there this year, but this weekend I felt awesome," commented Lawrence of his results. "I'm glad to be up there, and it's been a lifelong dream for me to ride for Factory Yamaha, and I'm glad that I got the chance this year." eN Pepsi Center Denver, Colorado Results: Men:h 7-8, Z003 [Final Round] Friday 125 MAIN: 1. Phil Lawrence (Yam); 2. Josh Demuth (Yam); 3. Tommy Hofmaster (Yearn): 4. Buddy Antunez (SUI); 5. Bred Hagseth (Kaw); 6. Evan Laughridge (Suz); 7. Ryan Huffman (Yam); B. Chad Johnson (Kaw); 9. Brandon Bartz (Han); 10. Jeff Northrop (Kaw); II. Jeff Willoh (Suz): 12. Kevin Hall (Yam); 13. Isaiah Johnson (KlIw); 14. Robby McQuary (Yam): 15. Mett Karlsen (Suz). 250 /\lAIN: 1. Josh Demuth (Yam): 2. Tommy Hofmllster (Yam); 3. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 4. Evan laughrIdge (Suz); 5. Chad Johnson (Kaw); 6. Brad Hagseth (Kaw); 7. Phil Lawrence (Yam); 8. Jeff Northrop (Kaw); 9. Brllndon 88rtz (Hon); 10. Travis Hodges (Hon); 11. Jeff Willoh (Suz); 12. Isaiah Johnson (Kaw); 13. Ronnie Clark (Suz); 14. Ryan Huffman (Y8m); 15. Robby McQuary (Yam). OFC: 1. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 2. Josh Demuth (Yam); 3. Evan Laughridge (Suz); 4. Brad Hagseth (Kaw); 5. Buddy Antunez (Suz). Saturday 125 MAIN: 1. Josh Demuth (Yllm); 2. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 3. Phil lzlwrence (Yam); 4. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 5. Evan Laughridge (Suz); 6. Brandon Bllrtz (Hon); 7. Chad Johnson (KllW); 8. Brad Hagseth (Kaw); 9. Jeff Willoh (Suz); to. Ronnie Clark (Suz); 11. Robby McQullry (Yam): 12. Isaiah Johnson (Kaw); 13. Kevin Hall (Yam): 14. Brilln Edwards (Suz): 15. Kody Molitor (Kaw). 250 MAIN: 1. Josh Demuth (Yam): 2. Phil Lawrence (Yam); 3. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 4. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 5. Chad Johnson (Kaw); 6. Brad Hagseth (Kaw); 7. Evan Laughridge (Suz); 8. Travis Hodges (Hon); 9. Brandon Bartz (Hon): 10. Ronnie 8-5-7-5 SoCal· Kawasaki's Johnson did not get any wins this year, but he still ended up one position better in the point standings by taking sixth. Johnson was beat out by Laughridge by only six points for sixth, but the Wisconsin native came a long way after a slow start to the series. In his second full year on the tour, Johnson now has the arenas figured out and should be a strong candidate for a "Team" ride after privateering it with his father all year. "I just want to thank all my sponsors and my Mom and Dad for supporting me this year," the reserved Johnson said at the banquet. "I couldn't have done it without them.' ® BradKawasaki's Brad Hagseth ended the 5-6-8-6 Hagseth Richmond year strong and was the lone Team Green rider in the semi at the final rounds as they lost their two other riders, including Darcy Lange, to injury. Hagseth was up front several times throughout the weekend but could never quite make it to the podium. After missing numerous races due to injury, the friendly Washington state native ended the series 10th, a far cry from what he was expected and wanted to do this season. "' was ready for this season and got to thank all the boys like Phil and Buddy for training and letting me stay with them down in California before it started," commented Hagseth. "Uttle injuries kept adding up, and' missed some races because of that. I'll get them and that little guy [Antunez) next yearl" ~~ Robby McQuary ®® Isaiah Johnson 14-15-11-14 Team Faith/Fly's Robby McQuary may not be the most well-known rider on the circuit, but he sure may be the friendliest. The Oklahoman, who goes to every race under the Team Faith banner of Brian O'Rourke, made all four finals over the two nights. He also won both Jump-Offs and got 19th in the final standings. 13-12-12-15 Tuf Kawasaki's New Mexico-native returned to action much earlier than expected at Denver after breaking several vertebrae in January at the Guthrie, Oklahoma, round. Johnson made aJJ four frnals but did not have the stamina yet and went] 3- 12-12-15. "I just started riding a few days ago and said 'What the heck'," the friendly New Mexico resident commented of his retum. "I'm planning on riding some 250cc Supercross after this and need to get back into shape.' DASH FOR CASH FINAL POINTS STANDINGS: 1. Darcy Lange (65/1 0 wins); 2. Tommy Hofml.lster (61/5 wins); 3. Josh Demuth (60/2 wins); 4. Justin Brayton (35{2 wins); 5. Buddy Antunez (31/1 win); 6. Evan Laughridge (25/3 wins); 7. Brad Hagseth (24/1 win); 8. Rusty Holland (21/1 win): 9. Pedro Gonzalez (16/2 wins); 10. Phil Lawrence (15); J 1. Ryan Huffman (11/1 win); 12. Tom Kelley (10); 13. Isaiah Johnson (10): 14. Kelly Smith (9): 15. Chad Johnson (8). Clark (Suz); 11. Jeff Willoh (Suz); 12. Kody Molitor (Kaw); 13. Kevin Hall (Yam): 14. Robby McQuary (Yam); 15. Isai8h Johnson (Kaw). OFe: I. Josh Demuth (Yam); 2. Tommy Hofmaster (Yam); 3. Phil Lawrence (Yam); 4. Travis Hodges (Hon). NATIONAL ARENACROSS SERIES FINAL POINTS STANDINGS: I. Josh Demuth (1031/33 wins); 2. Tommy Hofmaster (806/5 wins); 3. Buddy Antunez (805/2 wins); 4. Darcy Lange (622/11 wins); 5. Evan Laughridge (576); 6. Chad Johnson (570); 7. Justin Brayton (506): 8. Phil Lawrence (465/2 wins); 9. Jeff WHloh (403); 10. Brad Hagseth (379): 11. Ryan Huffman (361/2 wins); 12. Tom Kelley (320): 13. Brandon Bartz (231): 14. Chris Whitcraft (225): 15. Rusty Holland (216): 16. Pedro Gonzalez (208/1 win): 17. Jason Thomas (203); 18. Isaiah Johnson (173): 19. Robby McQuary (150); 20. Gavin Gracyk (147). Phil Lawrence (19) won Friday's 125cc main. Here, he leads Demuth (1) in that race. BRIEFLY••• On Monday night after all the racing was over with. the riders. mechanics, teams. family and friends along with the Clear Channel staff headed up to the Copper Mountain ski resort in the Rockies about an hour away for their year-end Areoacross banquet. It was noted as the largest banquet that they have had. and many awards were given out. Among some of the awards were: Entertainer of the Year - Tom Kelley; Most Improved - Justin Brayton; Hard Luck Isaiah Johnson; Most Determined - Chris Whitcraft; Rookie of the Year - Kody Molitor; Mechanic of the Year - Ian Woods (Darcy Langel; Manufacturer of the Year - Yamaha; Dash For Cash , Champion - Darcy Lange: Arenacross Champion. Josh Demuth. Three riders who were In attendance at the banquet and received awards but could not race over the weekend were Darcy Lange. Tom Kelley and Justin Brayton. All three hobblecl on stage to receive their awards. as they all had some type of leg InjUry. Shogun Yamaha's Josh Demuth. who says he has been saved by the Lord through friend and minister Brian O'Rourke of Team Faith. donated some big money to O'Rourke and his fellowship over the weekend. When Demuth won the largest Dash For Cash of the year on Saturday night, he donated the approximately $1700 to Team Faith. Again on Monday at the banquet, when Demuth collected his $1500 for third place overall In the Dash series. he once again gave it to O'Rourke in support of his services and greatly thanked him for all that he has done. cue I e n e vv s MARCH 26, 2003 53