AMA ARENACROSS RESULTS: Gibson & Medaglia Score In Fresno

On Feb 13, 2009

MAHINDRA TRACTORS/TUF HONDA’S JEFF GIBSON REBOUNDS WITH WIN NUMBER FIVE IN AMA ARENACROSS SERIES’ FRESNO DEBUT

Tyler Medaglia Opens AMA 250 West with Win

Despite a couple weeks of disappointing performances, Mahindra Tractors/Tuf Honda’s Jeff Gibson, of Westerville, Ohio, once again proved he is the rider to beat in the 2009 AMA 450 Arenacross Series championship by rebounding to win his series-leading fifth victory of the season in Fresno, Calif. A raucous crowd filled the Save Mart Center for the AMA Arenacross Series’ debut at Fresno State University’s arena. In the season-opening round for the AMA Arenacrossÿ250 West championship, GPF/Babbitt’s Kawasaki’s Tyler Medaglia, of Ottawa, Canada captured the win.

Gibson was back in early-season form on Saturday night, winning in convincing fashion and extending his points lead over his closest competitors, Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda’s Nathan Skaggs, of Chillicothe, Ohio, and Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chad Johnson, of Rhinelander, Wis.

“I needed this,” exclaimed Gibson. “I got a good start and tried to be smart. The past couple weeks have been tough. I’ve been riding well, but just suffered a little bad luck. It’s great to bounce back and get a win and help myself out in the points a little bit.”

Triple Effect Kawasaki’s Brock Sellards, of Sherodsville, Ohio, returned to the podium while Johnson minimized the damage in the standings with a third place result.

The Fresno race also kicked-off the three-round AMA 250 West Championship that will take place over three consecutive weekends. Medaglia opened the title chase with a big win while Spinechillers/Suzuki City Suzuki’s Willy Browning, of Rushville, Ohio, and Foremost Insurance Suzuki’s Jim Neese, of Julian, N.C., followed in second and third, respectively.

Gibson extended his points lead in the standings to 40 points over Skaggs.ÿ

The AMA Arenacross Series heads just a few miles north to Sacramento, Calif. next weekend for its annual round in the state’s capital at Arco Arena. The action ignites on Saturday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m.

AMA 450 Class Results
Jeff Gibson, Westerville, Ohio, Honda
Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Kawasaki
Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
Willy Browning, Rushville, Ohio, Suzuki
Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda
Keith Johnson, Albuquerque, N.M., Yamaha
Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Honda
Codi Adams, Batavia, Ohio, Yamaha
Jim Neese, Julian, N.C., Suzuki
Michael Willard, Thornville, Ohio, Kawasaki

AMA 250 West Results
1 Tyler Medaglia, Kemptville, Ohio, Kawasaki
2.Willy Browning, Rushville, Ohio, Suzuki
3. Jim Neese, Julian, N.C., Suzuki
4.ÿDevon Pilkington, Virginia Beach, Va., Yamaha
5.ÿBruce Rutherford, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
6.ÿCory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki
7.ÿMichael McDade, Raleigh, N.C., Suzuki
8.ÿRonnie Stewart, Easton, Pa., Suzuki
9. Dacoda Sarochuk, Randolph, Utah, Kawasaki
10. Josh Thomas, Climax, N.C., Suzuki

AMA 450 Points (After Race 10 of 17)
Jeff Gibson, Westerville, Ohio, Honda ? 211
Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda ? 171
Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki ? 169
Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Kawasaki ? 153
Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Honda – 148
Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki – 142
Michael Willard, Thornville, Ohio, Kawasaki ? 123
Codi Adams, Batavia, Ohio, Yamaha ? 114
Keith Johnson, Albuquerque, N.M, Yamaha ? 104
Tyler Bright, Lexington, N.C., Suzuki ? 98

Tickets are available online at www.arenacross.com, www.ticketmaster.com, www.tickets.com. For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.