LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 4, 2012) – The ninth round of the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series season signified the series’ debut from Rupp Arena, and to commemorate the occasion, a champion was crowned as Motostar Kawasaki’s Michael McDade, of Edinburg, Pa., captured his first career American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) title in the Arenacross Lites Eastern Regional Championship. In the premier Arenacross Class, Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers, of Danville, Ky., grabbed his 10^th win of the season in front of his hometown crowd, extending his championship lead.

McDade entered the night with a 17-point lead over Dragon Racing Fuels/AG Motorsports KTM’s Michael Willard. When the gate dropped on the 18-lap main event, McDade took the holeshot and looked to pull away from the field. On Lap 2, Team Faith KTM’s Kevin Johnson, of Spring, Texas, slipped past McDade and asserted himself out front. As McDade attempted to battle back, he went down, allowing Airide KTM’s Daniel Blair, of Lodi, Calif., and Reed & Reese KTM’s Dave Ginolfi, of Lake Hopatcong, N.J., to slip past.

Johnson continued to pull away, while Blair and Ginolfi rounded out a podium sweep for KTM in second and third, respectively. McDade remounted but fell again on Lap 9, ultimately bringing home a 13^th-place finish. Despite his misfortune, McDade was still able to secure the title.

In the 25-lap Arenacross Class Main Event, FMF Power/Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson, of Blacklick, Ohio, grabbed the holeshot and early lead, with Bowers in tow. On Lap 2, Bowers passed Gibson, only to have his rival fight back one lap later.

The pair paced one another for the next eight laps before Bowers made another pass on Lap 11. Once he worked his way back into the lead, Bowers stayed out front while Bella’s Cupcakes/Club MX Kawasaki’s Zach Ames, of Prospect, Ohio, moved into second. Gibson finished third.

Bowers extended his points lead to 21 over Gibson, as the series heads west.

The 2012 AMA Arenacross Series season continues next weekend, with its 10^th round of the championship from Fresno, Calif., and the Save Mart Center. Action kicks off next Saturday, February 11 at 7 p.m. PT.

Arenacross Class Results (Lexington, Ky.)

1. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki
2. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki
3. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda
4. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM
5. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM
6. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
7. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM
8. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda
9. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM
10. Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda

Arenacross Lites Class Results (Lexington, Ky.)

1. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM
2. Daniel Blair, Lodi, Calif., KTM
3. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatcong, N.J., KTM
4. Austin Coon, Spencer, W.Va., Honda
5. Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda
6. Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki
7. Kevin Markwardt, Freeport, Ill., Honda
8. Michael Lang, Saugerties, N.Y., Honda
9. Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki

10.  Jerry Lorenz, Morrice, Ill., Kawasaki

Arenacross Class Points (After Race 15 of 19)

1. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki (10 wins) – 330
2. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda (2 wins) – 309
3. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki (2 wins) – 268
4. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM (1 win) – 241
5. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki – 220
6. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 210
7. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM – 173
8. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki – 127
9. Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., KTM – 126
10. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM – 113

Eastern Regional Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 10 of 10)

1. Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki (1 win) – 184
2. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatcong, N.J., KTM (2 win) – 170
3. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM (3 wins) – 159
4. Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki (1 win) – 155
5. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM (1 win) – 127
6. Daniel Blair, Lodi, Calif., KTM – 97
7. Austin Coon, Spencer, W. Va., Honda – 95
8. Travis Sewell, Westfield, Ind., KTM – 91
9. Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda – 88
10. Maxx Malatia, Itasca, Ill., Honda – 68

Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross Series returns for the 2012 season! To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com.

For more information on the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series, log on to www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 949-365-5750.

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