As the Amsoil Arenacross nears the halfway point of the series, four riders seem to control the series, although some newcomers have been causing some damage along the way. Defending champion Tyler Bowers, his Monster Energy/Amsoil/Babbitts Kawasaki teammate Zach Ames, Arenacross rookie Jacob Hayes, and Spinechiller’s Mike McDade are all making a run for the championship chase for 2014.
Recently, the tour made its most recent stop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a place it hasn’t been to in 10 years, and it was the Babbitts Kawasaki teammates Bowers and Ames who reinitiated the race with a pair of wins.
Bowers took Friday’s win with a 1-3 in the two finals over his teammate Ames and last year’s series runner-up, privateer Jeff Gibson. TiLube/Tuf Racing Honda’s Jacob Hayes and Oklahoma’s Cory Green rounded out the top five. It was Bowers third overall win of the season.
Although Bowers did take the overall on Saturday, he did get a main-event moto win, marking his sixth main event victory of the season. Despite his recent success in Milwaukee, the defending champ is still chasing his teammate Ames in the points race, but is only six points back with plenty of racing still to go in the championship, not to mention the deciding Race For The Championship.
Second place is actually pretty remarkable when you consider that Bowers has been racing with a broken leg since round one. He kept that little secret to himself until just before the Milwaukee race.
“After getting run into by another rider at the first round, I suffered a fractured tibia clearly into my ankle,” Bowers explained. “I’m fortunate to have great people in my corner, and I had it all screwed back together. After going through a couple weeks of rehab, I am finally on the good side of this injury.”
When asked if the injury was causing him pain, he replied, “Hell yeah it hurts, but I have to keep going.”
Ames, the current points leader, enjoyed his first win of the season in Milwaukee, but it’s his consistency so far that has given him the advantage.
To read more of the Arenacross mid-season review, click here
