Hi Arenacross fans! We just got finished with the Baltimore Arenacross, and it was a really good weekend. It is my 3rd season at the 1st Mariner Arena in downtown Baltimore. The fans in Maryland are  diehard! I met some new fans and also ran into a lot of old fans; there were several who were getting my poster and telling me they were going to put it up right next to the other two from 2006 and 2007! I loved visiting with them, seeing what they have been up to all year. The best part was most of them said they have been coming to arenacross for years and years, and this year was the best racing, best show and the best arenacross they have ever seen! They loved the pyro and fireworks in the opening ceremonies, and the racing was the tightest racing they had seen.

I love watching the races at the 1st Mariner Arena because it has a stage on one end of it, giving a clear and safe view of the track! And this weekend’s racing you didn’t want to miss! It all started on Friday afternoon in practice. The dirt was very, very different than anyone had expected in Baltimore. It was slick, almost like riding or walking on ice. The pits were hectic as the riders were making their mechanics, or dads, pretty much change everything on the bike, especially the tires.

The heat races in the Lites class were crazy, with riders down all over the place! Luckily, Travis Sewell was able to put his head down and take his heat race win, along with the second heat race winner Codi Adams. Both these riders were able to get the first gate pick which is very important in arenacross because a good start is vital to the race. Both the Sewell brothers got great starts along with MotoXXX/Ti-lube Honda rider Kurt McCabe.  Suzuki/ Reynard Mods rider Cory Green was in the back of the pack charging around a ton of riders, on a very tight track. He kept pushing through the pack of riders, down riders and finally made his way to the Sewell brothers. Shane Sewell was in 2nd and Travis Sewell was leading a flawless race! With three laps left Cory “da booty shaker” Green did not have enough time to get past the Shane Sewell, but still getting the 3rd place spot on the box.  Travis Sewell took home the 1st place trophy with his brother Shane Sewell right behind him in 2nd. It was a great 16 lap Lites Main event!

Now time for the big bikes! Babbitt’s riders Kelly Smith and Brock Sellards were riding really well, and so were the Johnson brothers, Keith and Kevin.  The bikes were on the line and the adrenaline was pumping! Kelly Smith took the Toyota Certified Used Vehicle holeshot award as he came charging into the whoops. Not too far behind him was his teammate Brock Sellards and Kevin Johnson.  Smith was riding a very consistent race, keeping him out of trouble, not knowing what is happening behind him. With only 5 laps left of the 25 lap main event Chad Johnson had worked his way up into the top 5, and kept it on as he came up to Brock Sellards in 2nd. He got around Brock and was able to make the pass, and put himself in the 2nd place position. But he still had a couple laps to try and get Kelly Smith out in front. They were battling for a while and they were side by side down the whoops section, as they came out of the whoops, they both almost lost it in the rhythm section. Kelly Smith had his feet off the pegs as he came over the double, saved it and then almost lost it again. Chad Johnson was right next to him, getting a little sideways as they came to the last turn. It was a sigh of relief for the Babbitt’s team as the #33 rolled over the catapult barely a tire length in front of the Bad Boy Honda rider Chad Johnson. It was the closest finish we have had all year, along with Kelly Smith’s first win of the season. Chad Johnson put in a great race settling for 2nd and Brock Sellards taking the final podium spot in 3rd.

On Saturday I had the chance to go over to John Hopkins’ hospital in Baltimore to visit with a fan named Andrew, who is in the middle of chemotherapy. He and his family have been coming to arenacross for years, and they had their tickets since November, but unfortunately Andrew had to stay in the hospital. He wasn’t going to be able to come to the races, so we thought we would bring the races to him! Team Babbitt’s and myself brought him a ton of arenacross souvenirs along with Brock Sellards, Kelly Smith and Patrick Boyle’s racing jerseys. Andrew was stoked! He had the best smile and was so fun to be around. He loves to ride and he loves arenacross, so it was great to be able to go visit with him and let him know we love having him as a fan!

The track got switched up a little in the rhythm section for Saturday night’s racing. They made it so the riders could either triple triple off the inside, or triple, triple, single on the outside. It made for some better passing and gave options if you had to go to the inside out of the whoops.

Travis Sewell was riding really fast once again winning his Lites heat race. The bikes were all ready for the Lites main event and there was hardly an empty seat in the arena. Tyler Bright jumped out of the gate fast and kept his momentum into the whoops along the side of Team Babbitt’s rider Patrick Boyle and the Sewell brothers. Tyler was out front and got tangled with Patrick Boyle. Patrick led for a lap and Tyler Bright came right back and took the lead once again. Tyler led the rest of the way, until both Shane and Travis Sewell started to put the pressure on him. It was a great three way battle for the lead, they had to dodge down riders and also roll the catapult because the Red Cross flag came out due to a down rider on the landing of the catapult. Shane Sewell was able to get around Tyler Bright on the last lap taking the win, Tyler having to settle for 2nd and Travis taking 3rd.  You could tell Tyler was a little disappointed but he still kept his smile and was happy to be safe!

With Kelly Smith taking the win on Friday night he had a new confidence coming into the race on Saturday night. Chad Johnson was riding fast, getting his heat race win. Chad Johnson was ready to race knowing he had to hold off Kelly Smith. There was only 5 points separating the two of them coming into the night. As the gates dropped Team Faith’s Kevin Johnson took the holeshot and off he went. He was riding a perfect race and led for 24 of the 25 laps. Chad Johnson once again used his Arenacross experience to work his way past Kelly Smith, Brock Sellards and Keith Johnson. When the white flag came out Kevin Johnson had the race almost wrapped up, until he came flying through the whoops section and someone had knocked out a tuff block right in front of him, down he went. Chad took over the lead as he went down the rhythm section.  Kelly Smith hung in there to get his second podium finish of the weekend, and Keith Johnson dodged his brother’s crash taking the final podium spot. It was a tough break for Team Faith rider Kevin Johnson but he still ended up 4th overall, and took home the holeshot award. Chad Johnson was happy to gain some valuable points on both Kelly Smith and Brock Sellards keeping himself the point’s leader as we head to Dayton, OH next weekend.

The Nutter Center is where I will be next weekend for only a Saturday night race in Dayton, OH. But we also have a Saturday night only race in Albuquerque, NM.  This is the closest point’s chase we have seen between the top 5 riders. MotoXXX/ Ti-lube team flew from Baltimore to Dallas on Saturday to race the Dallas Arenacross Saturday night. Teddy Maier took the win; Tommy Hoffmaster took 2nd and Colt Humphry in 3rd.  If you are around either Dayton, OH or Albuquerque, NM this weekend make sure you stop by and check out the races. It is getting down to the wire and you never know what is going to happen, you don’t want to miss it! Also keep checking in to see when you will be able to see your Arenacross racers on Speed, the schedule should be up soon! Until next weekend make sure to keep it on two wheels and don’t stop smiling! See you at the races in Dayton!

XOXO
Ashley Miss Arenacross