Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

) with a 27.44-second Fast Lap on a 250cc machine. Not one to be outdone, Antu nez's Motorious. com/AXO /Bi II' s Pipes/Suzuki teammate Denny Stephenson served notice that he was also in the game by winning the Dash for Cash, something that he's become quite accustomed to at the Nampa venue. The gloves were off and it wasn't long before another Suzuki rider put his name up on the board. In fact, the Pro Tech/Gregoire/Torco Oil-sponsored Benoit Milot sailed so far in the Extreme Freestyle event that it seemed he could of landed back home in Yamachiche, Quebec. When the gate dropped for the 125cc Main, it was the St. Louis Powersports/MSR/Reynard Mods Suzuki of Charley Bogard getting the holeshot and a lead that he would never relinquish. While Antunez and Stephenson battled for second, Bogard cruised to the win, frequently tripling the infield jump and looking over his shoulder to check on the competition. "I've been trying all year for two wins on the same night and I finally did it," said Bogard, about his performance on Friday. "I got a pretty good lead and had to roll the double before the whoops three times and it kind of let Buddy catch up to me." Antunez was definitely coming on strong. "I made a push for the lead, got into second, came from a little ways back, made a run at it and gave it my best shot," said Antunez. Teammate Stephenson added, "I didn't get a great start, had to come through the pack and do the best I could. As soon as I got to third those guys were pretty much gone." Bogard repeated his holes hot in the 250cc main and stretched out a comfortable lead before settling into a rhythm. However, Antunez would narrow the gap, Bogard was never challenged. "1 had two laps to go and I knew if I could just do it (the whoop section) clean, I knew I'd have it," said Bogard. "It seems like I've had the pace all year, 1 just haven't gotten the starts. My Dad's been telling me if you get the start, you've got it. I got two starts and two wins. Maybe I'll listen to my Dad more often." Stephenson got a good start, but not as good as Bogard. "I got out pretty good, got up to Charley and just tried to run consistent race," said Stephenson. "Buddy started to catch up to me and I think I picked up the pace a little bit and started getting a little more consistent through the whoops and caught back up to Charley, but I never had a chance to make a move. The whole thing was we got Suzuki on the podium in both classes." Antunez would surely have preferred the win, but did not lose sight of the fact that he is only a couple events away from another championship. "I got out probably fifth or sixth and I got into third," said Antunez. "I went to work reeling them in. I just tried to push and make the best race of it as I could and stay as close to Denny. That's where my points are at for the championship so I need to be as close to him as possible." SATURDAY Antunez came back Saturday night to take the Dash for Cash ahead of Stephenson and Carrollton Kawasaki's Mike Katin. Milot was the crowd favorite, once again winning the Extreme Freestyle Jump Off Contest ahead of Mike Storm and third place Jeff Willoh. After taking over control of the 125cc Main from Jeff Willoh, Antunez was denied the top podium spot when Stephenson passed him in lapped traffic on lap 10. Stephenson continued to thread his way through the back markers to hang onto first place, leaving Antunez with second and Willoh third. But Antunez wouldn't leave Idaho without showing the fans the stuff that has made him king of the arenas. Grabbing the holeshot in the 250cc Main, Antunez built a comfortable lead leaving Stephenson to battle with the Thor/Tuf Racing/Honda of Jeff Willoh for second place. Stephenson would prevail over Willoh, once again putting Suzuki into the top two finishing positions. Bogard did not see a repeat of his Friday night performance, settling for two sixth place finishes. eN Idaho Center Nampa. Idaho Results: March 17-18, ZOOO (Rounds Z9·30 of 3Z1 FRIDAY 125 MAIN: 1. Charley Bog.rd (Suz): 2. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 3. Denny Stephenson (Suz); 4. Jeff Willoh (Hon); 5. Travis Hodges (Kaw). 250 MIN: I. Charley Bogard (Suz); 2. Denny Stephenson (Suz); 3. Buddy Antunez (Suz): 4. Jeff Willoh (Hon): 5. Mike Kalin (Kaw). DASH FOR CASH: 1. Denny Stephenson (SUl): 2. Travis Hodges (Kaw): 3. Jeromy Buehl (Kaw): 4. Rylln Huffman (Kaw); 5. Brad Hagselh (Yam). EXTREME FREESTYLE JUMP-OFF: 1. Benoit Milot (Suz); 2. Jeff WHloh (Hon); 3. Mike Storm (Hon); 4. Bryan Piccerelli (Hon). KAWASAKI 65CC INVITATIONAL: 1. Ben Evans (Kaw): 2. Dian Klinger (Kow); 3. Morgan Burger (Kaw); 4. Kyle Meyers (KlIw): 5. Cody Conner (K.w). SATURDAY 125 MAIN: I. Denny Stephenson (Suz): 2. Buddy Antunez (Suz): 3. Jeff Willoh (Han); 4. Jeromy Buehl (Kaw); 5. Travis Hodges (Kaw). 250 MAIN: 1. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 2. Denny Stephenson (Suz): 3. Jeff Willoh (Han): 4. Travis Hodges (KlIw); 5. Mike Katin (Kaw). DASH FOR CASH: 1. Buddy Antunez (Suz);. 2. Denny Stephenson (Suz); 3. Mike Kotin (KlIw); 4. Travis Hodges (Kaw); 5. Ryan HuffmBn (Kaw); 5. Jeff Willoh (Hon). EXTREME FREESTYLE JUMP-OFF: I. Benoit Milot (Suz): 2. Mike Storm (Han); 3. Jeff WHloh (Hon). NATIONAL ARENACROSS SERIES POINT STANDINGS (After 30 or 32 rounds): 1. Buddy Antunez (1030); 2. Denny Stephenson (988); 3. Jeff Wmoh (712): 4. Pedro Gonz.les (677): 5. Ch.rley Bogard (644): 6. Jeromy Buehl (604): 7. Mike KBtin (587); 8. Trovis Hodges (51 g): g. Josh Demuth (434): 10. Brad Woolsey (305): II. Chad Pederson (262); 12. Bry.n Piccirelli (211): 13. Barry C.rsten (IBB): 14. Jim Chester (183): 15. Greg R.nd (174): 16. Nick Wey (170): 17. Kevin erine (157): lB. D.rcy L.nge (147): Ig. Ty WolI.ce (128): 20. Tommy Horm.ster (122). With only four rounds left In the series, Antunez is very close to yet another Arenacross championship. Despite failing to win an event In Nampa, Jeff Willoh still sits third In points behind Antunez and Stephenson. Upcoming Rounds: Rounds 31-32 - Reno, Nevada, March 31, April 4 cue I e n ... _ S • APRIL 5. 2000 39

• Cover