Skaggs Takes Tulsa AX

Shan Moore | February 8, 2009

Nathan Skaggs jumped out front early and rode a swift and solid race to take the win at round six of the AMA Arenacross Series in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s brand new BOK Center, last night. The win was the Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda rider’s third of the season, allowing him to close the gap on current series points leader Jeff Gibson, who finished off the podium for the second race in a row.

Gibson’s Mahindra Tractors/Tuf Honda teammate Josh Demuth put heavy pressure on Skaggs in the latter stages of the race and at one point it look as though he might challenge for the lead, however, the former Arenacross champ slowed on the penultimate lap when he was not able to jump the rhythm section, allowing Skaggs to pull away for a safe win.

“This feels great,” explained Skaggs. “It’s been a few races since I was on top of the podium so it’s nice to get another win under my belt. I just need to keep taking things race by race. I’d like to thank my team Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda and all the fans here in Tulsa.” Third place when to Triple Effects Kawasaki’s Gray Davenport, his second podium finish of the year.

After falling in the first corner, Gibson recovered to take a disappointing 11th-place finish, and now currently holds a 24-point lead in the standings over Skaggs, while reigning champion Chad Johnson, who finished fourth in Tulsa, trails by 37 points in third.

The AMA Arenacross Series heads to its inaugural round in Fresno, Calif. from the Save Mart Center next weekend.

AMA Arenacross Class Results

1. Nathan Skaggs (Hon)

2. Josh Demuth (Hon)

3. Gray Davenport (Kaw)

4. Chad Johnson (Kaw)

5. Brock Sellards (Kaw)

6. Zach Ames (Hon)

7. Tyler Bright (Suz)

8. Keith Johnson (Yam)

9. Justin Berry (Kaw)

10. Codi Adams (Yam)