Gibson Returns To The Winners' Circle With Big Opening Round Victory In Tulsa

The 2011 AMA Arenacross Series started off with its trademark unpredictability when TUF Honda's Jeff Gibson, of Blacklick, Ohio, captured his first win since the 2009 season inside Tulsa's BOK Center. Oklahoma native Cory Green, from Nowata, captured the opening round of the Arenacross Lites Western Regional championship aboard his Xtreme Cycle and ATV Suzuki.


With tremendous attention surrounding the reigning champion Babbitt's Monster Energy/TiLube Kawasaki presented by Maxxis team, Gibson, the 2009 Arenacross class champion, silenced the critics by grabbing the early advantage in the championship. After a strong start, Gibson worked his way into the lead and held off strong challenges from the aforementioned Babbitt's team and its riders Tyler Bowers, of Danville, Ky., and Chad Johnson, of Rhinelander, Wis., who rounded out the podium.


Green took his chances at a clean sweep of both classes in hopes of bringing his hometown crowd to its feet, but the experienced rider settled for an impressive outing in the Arenacross Lites main event. Following Green across the line was fellow Oklahoman Chad Cook, from Oklahoma City, aboard his House of Kawasaki machine and FHK Honda's Kyle White, of Freeport, Ill.


In the always-exciting Dash For Cash, Foremost Insurance/Spinechillers/Honda Fairfield Racing's Nathan Skaggs, of Chillicothe, Ohio, captured the win.


The AMA Arenacross Series continues next weekend from Kansas City, Mo., and the legendary Kemper Arena next Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET.


For more information on the 2011 AMA Arenacross Series, log on to www.Arenacross.com.


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Arenacross Class Results (Tulsa, Okla.)


1.Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda

2.Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki

3.Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki

4.Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda

5.Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda

6.Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki

7.Cole Siebler, Emmett, Idaho, Honda

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

9.Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki

10.Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, Honda


AMA Arenacross Lites Class Results (Tulsa, Okla.)


1.Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki

2.Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki

3.Kyle White, Freeport, Ill., Honda

4.Aviery Hickey, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki

5.Brian Alquist, Lagrange, Calif., Honda

6.Justin Kelly, Lelumia, Ill., Honda

7.Tyler Sehr, Belleville, Ill., Honda

8.Travis Smith, Lancaster, Calif., Yamaha

9.Tanner Moore, Auburn, Kan., KTM

10.Jeremy Huddleston, Eustace, Texas, KTM


Arenacross Class Points (After Race 1 of 19)


1.Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda - 25

2.Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki - 22

3.Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki - 20

4.Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda - 18

5.Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda - 16

6.Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki - 15

7.Cole Siebler, Emmett, Idaho, Honda - 14

8.Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., Suzuki - 13

9.Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki - 12

10.Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, Honda -11


Arenacross Lites Class Western Regional Points (After Race 1 of 10)


1.Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki - 25

2.Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki - 22

3.Aviery Hickey, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki - 20

4.Brian Alquist, Lagrange, Calif., Honda - 18

5.Travis Smith, Lancaster, Calif., Yamaha - 16

6.Tanner Moore, Auburn, Kan., KTM - 15

7.Jeremy Huddleston, Eustace, Texas, KTM - 14

8.Chase McGrath, Bennington, Neb., Honda - 13

9.Travis Merrill, Fowler, Ill., KTM - 12

10.Cody Doerfler, Peyton, Colo., Yamaha - 11