Well, it is sad for me that the 2007 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series has come to an end. I just got home from Nashville, TN ‘ Music City’ and what a great spot to end such an intense series! It really has not hit me yet that I will not be packing my bags to leave to the next race this week… we have been on the road since November and like usual it went by much to fast!! The more races I go to the more I realize racing is a huge part of my life and I love everything about it! I have learned a lot this year about becoming a part of the show, and making an Arenacross race fun, exciting and unforgettable. There is just nothing like the smell of a dirt bike in the morning!

I never thought it possible to see another year of racing like we saw last year (2006), ending in Denver with only 1 point separating the champion Chad Johnson and the runner up Brock Sellards. However, this year was definitely filled with a lot more competitive and intense racing. Although the points chase was not as close, there were more big names and so much talent than we have seen in Arenacross than ever before! It created some incredible races, and some unforgettable comebacks.

Nashville was a different track, at least the dirt was really good dirt. It was hard pack, yet tacky, so there were hardly any ruts and the design was able to be more technical. The whoops section was some rider’s biggest enemy, yet for others it was there best friend. The whoops were big; a lot of the guys were jumping them instead of blitzing across the top. They both seemed to take the same amount of time, but a lot of riders were making mistakes when jumping them and there were a lot of bikes flipping. The very young and very talented rider Tyler Bowers showed up to Nashville ready to race! He was mixing it up in practice because he has a different style of riding and definitely knows how to race bar to bar. Danny Smith was looking fast in practice yet so were Kevin Johnson, and Robbie Reynard.

I think that it is really funny how every time the lights go out for Opening Ceremonies, I still get butterflies in my stomach. I like the feeling of being excited and nervous to be there, it reminds me how much fun I am having. Friday night on the Championship weekend was filled with tension. Both the small bikes and the big bikes were going for a title, so therefore it was all about banging bars and getting the job done. The Lites class consists of many talented and young riders who have learned and grown so much this season. And jumping out of the gate it was all Tyler Bowers, the kid was on the gas, and never to look back. His style is different than any rider I have ever seen, he sits really far up on the bike and gets his front tire in for really good traction. But just behind him were Jim Chester, Justin Sipes, Brad Modjewski and the “Booty Shaker” Cory Green. But Tyler Bowers was out in front and would not let anyone get close to him Jim Chester got close once but made a small mistake and came down in the corner giving up his chances to pass the 911 Tyler Bowers. Justin Sipes and Brad Modjewski had a really good battle, but there were riders going down all over the place, and the lap traffic was getting really bad. Luckily the top 3 guys were able to keep there consistency and keep themselves on 2 wheels. Tyler Bowers of course was all smiles as he threw his bike sideways whipping it around, coming over the checkered flag letting everyone know that he means business. Justin Sipes patience paid off and he walked away with a 2 nd place trophy and Brad Modjewski was able to hold onto 3 rd.

Coming into Friday nights’ race Danny Smith had a 19 point lead over Robbie Reynard, so Danny Smith still had the pressure on because he had no real security on the championship. The tension was high as the gates dropped and the bikes jumped out. It was Kevin Johnson out in front, Tyler Bowers and Brock Sellards battling for 2 nd and 3 rd. Robbie was back in 4 th or 5 th and Danny was just behind him. As the race progressed Tyler Bowers and Brock Sellards were having a serious bar banging race. Each rider was riding very aggressive, it was definitely a crowd pleasing race. The two bikes met in the turn out of the catapult and down went Brock Sellards. Robbie moved up into 3 rd and Tyler was running in 2 nd. Kevin Johnson was riding so clean and definitely smart! He kept his bike up and kept his head from getting to him. Robbie and Tyler were having a small battle for 2 nd but it wasn’t before long Robbie was able to pass him and get himself just behind Kevin Johnson. Teddy Maier was running a strong 4 th place and Danny Smith and Keith Johnson were battling for 5 th place throughout the entire race. Teddy Maier took a hard fall in the whoops and endowed his bike, it almost took out Robbie Reynard and Danny Smith. The Red Cross flag came out and it forced the top 3 riders to roll the catapult. Danny Smith was able to jump it gaining some valuable time on Tyler Bowers, sitting in 3 rd. However, it wasn’t enough time, Kevin Johnson was able to keep himself consistent and received his third win of the season. Robbie Reynard came in just behind Kevin in 2 nd and Tyler Bowers was able to hold onto the 3 rd. Kevin Johnson was riding so strong and put on a great show. Robbie was able to gain 4 points on Danny Smith, putting only 15 points between them coming into Saturday nights show. It was going to be a good race!

I was able to check out the town of Nashville a little on Saturday, it has a lot of cool restaurants and fun places to walk around. But it was snowing outside so I mostly made it into Starbucks and back over to the arena for some more Arenacross racing. Saturday night was different. There was a definite tension in the air, and the championship was on the line. I knew it was going to be a good night of racing. My predictions were right, the Lites bikes flew out of the start and the race was on. The riders came along the whoops in a pack except ‘The Booty Shaker’ Cory Green was out in front with the holeshot. But Tyler Bowers was coming up strong and riding right on the rear tire of the #480 Cory Green. Justin Sipes was also right up there looking to get his Lites South Championship. But Brad Modjewski was also riding really well. Tyler Bowers went in for the pass on Cory Green and took over the first place position. Cory Green held onto 2 nd for a while but made a bobble in the whoops and Justin Sipes took advantage of the mistake and passed for 2 nd. Tyler Bowers was way ahead of the pack, but he was having a hard time getting through the lappers. His bike ended up tipping over just before the catapult almost costing him the win. He was able to pull it back together and get out just barely ahead of Justin Sipes. Justin was keeping Tyler really honest throughout the race, but could never get the pass. Tyler Bowers received his second win of the weekend while Justin Sipes received his first Lites South division title, only a couple of points ahead of Brad Modjewski. There was carnage all over the race track and the lappers made for an extremely interesting race. But it was time for the big bikes and the big championship race.

The adrenaline was running high as the bikes lined up on the Ogio starting line. This was it, the race that would tell all! Kevin Johnson qualified with the fastest heat race, and Brock Sellards was next. The 10second board went up and they were off. It was #17 Robbie Reynard with the holeshot, he was flying over the rhythm section and looked so comfortable and confident. Kevin Johnson was running in 2 nd and Brock Sellards in 3 rd. Tyler Bowers was right behind Brock and those two were battling every lap. Brock went in for a block pass on Tyler Bowers and Tyler went down. Tyler was definitely not happy about this aggressive move. It made for an interesting race, and kept everyone on there feet. There were riders down all over the place, there was a pile up in the corner going into the rhythm section, and Robbie tried to get around it but somehow his bike got stuck right in the middle. It was devastating to see Robbie have that trouble, especially since he was having a flawless race. He was able to get untangled but now he was mid pack. He was once again on the gas trying to catch up to the leaders. He rode strong but it was not quite enough to catch up to Danny Smith, Brock Sellards and Kevin Johnson. Danny Smith was finally able to take a deep breath once the checkered flag came out! #38 had done it! Danny Smith was crowned our 2007 Arenacross Champion!!

We finished up the season with a banquet in downtown Nashville at the Wildhorse Saloon. It was a great way to honor our champion and all the other hard working people on the tour. I have to give Danny Smith major props for sticking it out this year and keeping himself consistent. Arenacross takes a completely different riding style than he was used to and he adjusted and rode really well! He will hopefully be back next year sporting that #1 plate with all the confidence in the world. Robbie Reynard settled for 2 nd, however, he looked like he had a lot of fun this year. It was good to see him out there racing the way he has been known to race. I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us next year. If he continues to ride the way he finished up the season, no doubt in my mind he is the top contender for next year’s championship! It wouldn’t be fair to not mention Kevin Johnson and his sweep in Nashville, he rode so well and made it look so easy. But the luck was not always in his favor, but he never finished a race without a smile!

So, next year is going to be even more exciting. I am so pumped to see the way our sport is progressing it is pretty cool that I get to see it all happening in front of my eyes. I am really sad that the season is over, but I want to thank everyone for their support! I am so lucky to be a part of the Arenacross family and to be a part of such an incredible group of people! Once again, I have made some friendships that will last a lifetime, I cherish all the fun times, and look forward to making new memories! Thank you for a wonderful season! I couldn’t have done it with out you! I miss everyone already! Until next time, be safe and remember to always keep your smile!

XOXO
Ashley Miss Arenacross