Rookie Taylor Futrell Captures First Career Arenacross Lites Win

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (January 9, 2010) - Night two of the AMA Arenacross Series' opening weekend from Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. produced yet another memorable evening of action as the Muskegon, Mich.- based Babbitt's Monster Energy/Ti Lube Kawasaki made it two-for-two as Tyler Bowers, of Danville, Ky., took the AMA Arenacross class win. American Honda/Foremost Insurance Honda's Taylor Futrell, of Clinton, N.C., raced to the AMA Arenacross Lites win in just his second career start.

Photos by Allen Jones - www.arenacross.com

Bowers proved that getting a good start is key in the closely-contended AMA Arenacross Series, getting out of the gates at the front of the field alongside Babbitt's teammate Josh Demuth, of North Richland Hills, Texas and Jackson Performance KTM's Kelly Smith, of Ludington, Mich. The trio battled for the lead in the early stages of the race before Bowers made a strong pass for the lead and never looked back. Demuth held on for second while Spinechillers Honda's Zach Ames put on another strong performance in third. Night one winner Chad Johnson, of Rhinelander, Wis., overcame yet another bad start, coming from dead last to finish fifth.

The AMA Arenacross Lites class main event was red-flagged after eight laps and after a restart, rookie Futrell took advantage of a second place start to make the move for the lead and take home his first career victory as a professional. Veteran Foremost Insurance Yamaha rider Jim Neese, of Julian, N.C., brought home a runner-up finish while Serious Racewear Honda's Ryan Zimmer, of Angier, N.C., finished third.

After two races, Bowers moves into the AMA Arenacross class points lead, followed by Johnson and Ames.

The AMA Arenacross Series continues next weekend, traveling to the great state of Maryland for the Baltimore Arenacross, January 15-17.

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

AMA Arenacross Class Results, (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

1. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki

2. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki

3. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda

4. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM

5. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki

6. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Kawasaki

7. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda

8. Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki

9. Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Honda

10. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., Suzuki

AMA Arenacross Lites Class Results (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

1. Taylor Futrell, Clinton, N.C., Honda

2. Jim Neese, Julian, N.C., Yamaha

3. Ryan Zimmer, Angier, N.C., Honda

4. Kurt McCabe, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Honda

5. Daniel Aulsaybrook, Ortonville, Mich., Kawasaki

6. Chad Wages, Frederick, Md., Suzuki

7. Devon Pilkington, Virginia Beach, Va., Kawasaki

8. Nick Jackson, Zumbrota, Minn., Honda

9. Travis Merrill, Quincy, Ill., KTM

10. Randy Woodring, Spring Lake, Mich., Yamaha

AMA Arenacross Class Points (After Race 2 of 19)

1. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki - 43

2. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki - 41

3. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda - 40

4. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki - 31

5. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda - 30

6. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Kawasaki - 26

7. Brock Sellards, Sherodsville, Ohio, Honda - 25

8. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., Suzuki - 23

9. Jeff Gibson, Thornville, Ohio, Honda - 22

10. Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki - 20

11. Robbie Reynard, Oklahoma City, Okla., Suzuki - 20

AMA Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 2 of 19)

1. Kurt McCabe, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Honda - 43

2. Daniel Aulsaybrook, Ortonville, Mich., Kawasaki - 38

3. Taylor Futrell, Clinton, N.C., Honda - 33

4. Devon Pilkington, Virginia Beach, Va., Kawasaki - 30

5. Chad Wages, Frederick, Md., Suzuki - 29

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