Demuth Clinches Second Title
Kit Palmer | February 24, 2003
Josh Demuth clinched his second consecutive National Arenacross title after winning everything in sight at the Mid-America Center Arenacross in Council Bluff, Iowa, February 21-22. Demuth, on the Shogun Yamaha-backed YZ250F, topped all four main events, which was more than enough to put a lock on the 2002-’03 title. With two rounds still to go, Demuth has 875 points (plus 27 wins) and cannot be caught by his nearest rivals Tommy Hofmaster and Buddy Antunez, who have 673 and 671 points, respectively.
In Iowa, Demuth came out smoking. He won the 125cc final over Yamaha rider Chad Johnson, Suzuki’s Antunez, Yamaha-mounted Phil Lawrence and Honda-mounted Justin Brayton. In the 250cc final, Hofmaster finished second over Suzuki rider Evan Laughridge, Kawasaki-mounted Brad Hagseth and Lawrence.
Demuth continued to roll on Saturday, topping the 125cc class over Laughridge, Antunez, Hofmaster and Johnson, and the 250cc class over Hofmaster, Brayton, Johnson and Antunez.
Kit Palmer | Off-Road Editor
Kit Palmer started his career at Cycle News in 1984 and he’s been testing dirt and streetbikes every since – plus covering any event that uses some form of a knobby tire. He’s also our resident motorcycle mileage man with a commute of 120 miles a day.
