National ArenaCross Finals - Pepsi Center, Denver, CO

2003 ArenaCross Finals Denver, CO

The National ArenaCross series moved it's final round to Denver, CO for the 2003 season. The Pepsi Center hosted the event and the compact track made for some excellent racing. Josh Demuth could have stayed home having  already wrapped up the 2003 AX title two round before but instead he rode like a champion should and dominated both nights of racing winning 3 out of 4 mains and one dash for cash. Demuth proved why he will continue to carry the #1 plate next year by lapping to 3rd in the 250cc main Saturday night after winning the 125cc main and Dash for Cash earlier in the evening.

On Saturday night the National Anthem was played on electric guitar for the 10,000+ fans and the rest of the night's racing was electric as well. Miss ArenaCross, Heather Broderick, collected almost $1800 for the Dash for Cash (Performance Cycle of Denver made two $500 donations!) and the riders were pumped for the Dash. Honda rider Travis Hodges took the holeshot but Demuth made the pass in the whoops and led the rest of the four laps for the win and the cash. This was only the second Dash for Cash Demuth had taken this season!

The 125cc main was up next and and Demuth again dominated the race. Demuth put his Yamaha YZ250F in front and never looked back. Demuth was joined on the podium by fellow Yamaha riders Tommy Hoffmaster and "Factory" Phil Lawrence. The stage was set for the 250cc main as Hoffmaster and 5 time ArenaCross Champion Buddy Antunez were set to battle it out for the runner up spot in the championship.

Demuth cruised to the 250cc main win while Hoffmaster and Antunez battled behind him. Late in the race Phil Lawrence worked his way into second, Antunez was third and Hoffmaster was in the fourth position. Demuth lapped into third and took the win with Lawrence, and Antunez rounding out the podium spots. Hoffmasters' fourth place was good enough to edge out Antunez for second place in the championship. This was Demuth's 33rd win for the 2003 season.

A large number of 65cc entries treated the crowd to some very good mini racing with several of the little guys doing some doubles and really putting their heart into the racing. The Jump Contest was won by Oklahoman Rob McQuary both nights with some extreme aerial maneuvers. The Denver race was an excellent close to a wonderful ArenaCross season! If you didn't make to the race this year you better mark you calendar for next year. ArenaCross is at it's best when it visits Denver, CO!