Checkerz
I might’ve had a whole seat, but I definitely only used the edge! Round 3 of AMA Arenacross presented by Kicker in Madison, Wisconsin, should’ve been brought to us by FedEx because it definitely delivered! I was Ryan Dungey super pumped to hop in my car Friday morning and roll East to high-five and handshake with the Race Tech rippers, talk a bit with the work-horses behind the scenes of the series, and grab some popcorn and sodas with the boys when the action got fired up. Before it was over I nearly lost my voice, my buddies were wanting to go on the Arenacross tour as spectators, and I found myself re-assured that AMA Arenacross is on a proper path back to greatness… in fact, it’s already there!
Just like they cram a supercross style track into a tiny arena they have over-flowed the explosive mixture of professional racing and entertainment, lit the fuse, and are broadcasting it live for everyone to see on Friday nights all winter long. Let’s break it down like RM Army’s Cody Groves on the dance floor after a top 5 main event finish!
Little Buddy Wins Again
On the broadcast they call him “Kung Fu” Kyle or “The Ninja” because you don’t even see him coming before he drops you a position. I could call him “Little Buddy” because his brilliant race-craft reminds me so much of cheering on the most decorated Arenacross rider of all-time, Buddy Antunez. Kyle Peters continues to impress and show why he owns Kicker AMA Arenacross.
In Main Event 1, “Kung Fu” Kyle rounded the first turn in 10th place and by the time they ended the whoops on lap two he was already in fifth. His ability to avoid the typical AX chaos, weave through his competitors, and maintain solid speed is a craft he’s mastered. Just like the Budman would do in a Dash For Cash back in the day, in the “1 v 1 + 1” Kyle will lay back out of the chaos and race a clean race. If it is enough to win, cool! If not, the championship bonus will be worth more than the cash pot from the sprint race. Somewhere Dash For Cash legend Denny Stephenson is shouting obscenities about this strategy (while wearing red gloves).
What about Main Event 2? We’ll get there…
The Wildcard Folds
Ryan Breece entered the AMA Arenacross Series as a wildcard warming up for another run at Monster Energy AMA Supercross where he had a couple top 10 finishes in the premier 450 class in 2022 the last time he was healthy to race the series. After Breece showed he can win in Boise and Anthony Rodriguez went out injured, the I AM A COMEBACK/Rock River Yamaha squad called up the #200 to fill-in at the team’s hometown race. Ryan Breece made a set of whoops the size of my house look like child’s play to qualify fastest, crush his heat, and cruise to a “1 v 1 + 1” win.
In Main Event 1 Breece had a fourth place start and it appeared he was waiting for the field to spread out before making his move. Half a lap after a 2-for-1 pass brought him right back to the back tire of Kyle Peters, Breece folded the front wheel, clipped a Tuff Block, high sided, and bent up his bike. He’d DNF the race to try and get it repaired for Main Event 2.
What about Main Event 2? We’ll get there…
The Showdown Goes (Upside) Down
In AMA Arenacross both Main Events pay equal points and purse. However, first place in Main Event 1 gets last gate pick in Main Event 2 (which means second row) and last place in Main Event 1 gets first gate pick. The inverted start flipped the script and Ryan Breece went to the gate first after his DNF while Kyle Peters would have the last gate pick.
Breece would find his way to the lead early on while “Kung Fu” Kyle had to work through the pack lap after lap. With only a handful of laps to go Peters made his way into second place and was over five seconds behind Breece. When the white flag flew on the under 30-second lap-time track Breece’s gap had shrunk, but he still maintained a 1.4 second gap over Peters.
Too relaxed, a lack of aggression, nerves, poor lappers, bike issues… whatever reason(s) you want to use allowed Peters within striking distance into a congested final turn. Breece saw it coming and nailed the brakes, but Peters was a step ahead and turned on a dime leaving a nickel change. The knock-out blow was delivered and Peters won the match again as he edged Breece by a tenth of a second.
You have to feel for Breece after losing a (likely) win to a red flag a week ago and nearly overcoming a bent bike and heavy traffic to get within 40 feet from finishing first this weekend. At the same time you must admire the never-ending amount of experience, speed, technique, racecraft, intelligence, and grit that Peters continues to display as he captured both Main Event wins in Madison.
The Underdog was barking!
Kyle Bitterman bounced back after a challenging couple of rounds in Boise and showed championship form with a heat win and second and fourth in the two mains. It’s obvious the dog is hungry.
Smokin’ the field and making music!
Jared Lesher ripping across the death whoops molded outta coffins livened up the crowd and his title chances! He was exceptional in the deep whoops and was one of the few guys to nail the 3-3 in the rhythm. A heat race win set him up nicely for a podium in Main Event 1 and fifth and main event 2.
Baker finally cooks up a result!
Chandler Baker has been one of the fastest guys through the first three rounds, but he’s also eaten more dirt than he’s been able to wash down. He finally stayed off the ground in Main Event 2 and was able to swallow the soil samples with some champagne… if he’s even old enough to drink it!
New Kids on the Block put on a show!
“The Bottle” Crockett Myers shot off the gate in Main Event 1 and launched a salute to the on-lookers when he shot-off the finish at the end of lap one. The kid lit it up and looked like a star with brilliant 4-8 finishes on the night.
Blake Gardner’s opening weekend was so bad he ripped his earned national number 8 off his bike and started over with his traditional #712 that helped him find success a year ago. Blake attacked the whoops and the competition capturing 6-6 finishes on the night.
RM Army Invades the Top 5
A blown engine knocked Cody Groves out of Round 2, but he dropped a new powerplant in his bike and fresh motivation into his riding for Madison. It’s a good thing Groves’ shoulder sockets aren’t as loose as his program because they would’ve been dislocated after his massive fist pumps when he qualified directly to the Main Events from his heat. Keeping the power to the ground and carrying momentum catapulted Groves to an impressive top 5 finish in the first main. Unfortunately, Groves and his buddies Kerr and Carroll decided to discuss where they were going for dinner after the races in a bowl turn halfway through Main Event 2 resulting in an 11th place finish for the Suzuki pilot.
Final Thoughts
I’m extremely impressed with the track design and builds that create a lot of passing and options with such limited space. AMA Arenacross live delivers non-stop action! The format creates drama, the racers are awesome, and I’m already looking to attend more rounds in person.
Madison Results
Points
Main image: Arenacross
