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/128409
':As good as any race I've seen in Arenacross." Those were the words of longtime AX announcer Tim Cotter, regarding the heat race between the series' two Johnsons - Rad Chad and "Revin' Kevin." "Man, we had about five to six lead changes in that one," Chad Johnson said. "Kevin was haulin' and it took alii had to get out in front of him. That race definitely helped fire me up for the main. That and the fact that I had a ton of fans there." The only guy to beat Chad Johnson to the top of the podium this year has been Sellards. According to the likeable veteran racer, it's taken a bit of time to adjust to this 'Microwave Supercross' style of racing. But now that he has - and has pulled off two premier AMA Arenacross class wins in the last four races (Charlotte and Rockford) - the stage is now set for what will no doubt be a downto-the-wire finish in Denver (February 10-11). "If I wasn't crashing all the time, I'd probably be leading this thing," Sellards said. "My bike's finally dialed in and I'm for sure looking forward to every race. This has definitely been a lot of fun." Though nothing escalated on the track, tempers flared a bit behind the curtain at Rockford. While no big punches were landed, word in the pits was that there was some pushing and shoving going on - a direct result of some of the world's-best tight-quarters racers all wanting to 'get there first!' Reportedly, half the Kody & Cody Show - Kody Molitor - was not terribly excited about getting bounced on the track and stuck up for himself afterward. Suzuki-backed teammates Jim Neese and Jim Chester have been on it as of late. Neese finished third in the AMA Arenacross class on Saturday while Chester won the AMA Lites class on Saturday. "Patience and finesse pays off and some of our young guys should pay attention to that." Race promoters added a new twist to liven up the action during the downtime between motos. CCE promotion manager Nicole Champagne brought in the rock band Detagoh to jam for the fans when the bikes weren't on the pipe. The plan was to add a new, fun dimension to the race, mix things up a bit while always striving to find the formula that makes the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series that much better for everybody in attendance. Don't look now Johnson and Sellards, but Rockstar/Suzuki's Greg Schnell is back and on a rail. With two great starts to go with two second-place finishes in Rockford, the now-healthy preseason favorite wili be right in the hunt, come Dallas through Denver. Carmichael's number-four jersey retired at Rockford?Sure enough it was. The only difference (and it's a biggie) was that this was the Rockford Lightning's number-four Brent Carmichael - a hockey player - who's motocross skills we're sure don't match up to RC's. According to Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series event manager Pam Lambert, the break affects different racers in different ways. "Traditionally, the guys who stand to benefit the most, are the ones that return home for the holidays to regions that still allow for riding," Lambert said. "So in that case, Greg Schnell returning to California is more of a benefit than Chad Johnson returning to Wisconsin. The break is also a time for the guys, who haven't quite figured it out yet, to work on some things in order to catch up, which will for sure make the second half of the season a barnburner." 06 MONTHS (25 ISSUES) ONLY $23 01 YEAR (50 ISSUES) ONLY $45 Name Address City _ State_ _ Zip _ E-mail Phone ( Credit Card # Signature _ Order Date CALL NOW: 1-800-831-2220 (Mondly-Fr;dlY. 11-5 Plcffic TIme) 50 issues. foreign delivery - $92. 2nd class, Canada or Mexico and aU other countries (payable in U.S. Funds) (First class and airmail rates ava~able upon request.) All calls out.ide the U.S.· 114-151-1433 _ Mail Payment to: Cycle News. PO Box 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5084 CYCLE NEWS • JANUARY 4,2006 79