A return to action
Wells Fargo Arena stop is first on 12-race schedule for Arenacross Series
By Matt “It’s MillerTime” Miller
Chad Johnson has a knack for riding in Des Moines. It was in 2007 and 2008 when the 28 year old took control of the Arenacross class main event and earned first place at Wells Fargo Arena. Now a year later, Johnson will once again being vying for the podium as the AMA Arenacross series returns to central Iowa with some of the most talented young riders and seasoned veterans looking for a hot start to the season.
“I love coming back to Des Moines and competing,” said Johnson, a Wisconsin native. “We’ve been stopping in Des Moines for many years now. It’s always been a great time. Des Moines has great fans and great people.”
The annual stop to Wells Fargo Arena, on Nov. 7 and 8, will give racers an opportunity to compete on an official AMA Arenacross Series track. And although the race will not be used in the point standings (the first points-paying race of the 2010 will be Jan. 8 in Grand Rapids, Mich.), it does foreshadow a highly anticipated season of competition.
“The competition is going to be great this year,” Johnson said. “The way the economy is right now, people are money hungry and this is viable way of earning some. There are a lot of new teams and faces out there — Arenacross is always competitive. Riders always have to be aware because someone is always trying to get that edge on you.”
Just as Johnson has been preparing for the year’s first race, so has Fort Dodge native Gavin Faith. The 17-year-old, who graduated early from Fort Dodge Senior High to pursue his motocross career, will be competing in the Ax Lites division of Arenacross on Nov. 7.
“I’ve been riding most of my life but to have the opportunity to ride in front of hundreds of people at Wells Fargo is going to be amazing,” said Faith, who generally races in small-town events like Clinton, Jefferson, Winterset, Sheldon and Montezuma. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a small or big event, but the bigger events make me want to win even more.”
While the Arenacross Series has been around for 25 years, many of its biggest fans still might not know the physical and mental wear and tear that racing can have on one’s body. Racers say that off-season training is vitally important to stay in top shape over the 12-race season. Faith does a lot of spin biking, while also sticking to a specific weight-training schedule.
“You have to be physically strong to ride a bike over and over again,” he said. “If you’re not in good shape, it’ll catch up to you even after the first race.”
Johnson, who does a lot of laps on the track during the off-season, agrees.
“You work even harder in the off-season so that when race day comes, it’ll be that much easier.”
Johnson says mental breakdowns happen, too, but staying the course is what separates winners from the rest.
“I’ve had some breakdowns before, but you can’t let those things get in your way. “You just have to go out and ride, and that’s what I plan on doing.”
Locker Room note: The 13th annual Ankeny Fundraiser Worst/Best Shot Doubles Disc Golf Tournament will be held Sunday, Nov. 1 at Heritage Park, 1106 S.E. Michael Drive, in Ankeny. Admission is $15 per person, and registration is from 8 to 9 a.m. Tee time begins at 9:30 a.m. Divisions are masters, pro, advanced, intermediate and recreational. Proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross of Iowa. Call 964-8028 or e-mail lanceacoles@msn.com. CV
Caption: Chad Johnson, who has won in Des Moines, says the sport features a lot of hitting and jarring among racers. Photo courtesy of Michigan MX.
