LEXINGTON — The hometown guy got the loudest ovation, then Tyler Bowers of Danville rode away with the top prize.
Bowers was introduced during the opening ceremonies for Saturday’s AMA¿Arenacross event with Montgomery Gentry’s hit, “My Town,”¿blaring from the Rupp Arena speakers and had the crowd was on its feet. That was just the start of a great night for Bowers, who collected his 10th win of the season and maintained his points lead.
“I was just so pumped to see how many people were out here. We went out to the track party (before the races) and there were just people coming through and coming through. I think it’s one of the biggest crowds we’ve had all year,”¿Bowers said. “The standing ovation during the opening ceremonies, I was just so pumped for it. It’s nice to see the state of Kentucky and my hometown crowd, the place I love to be, is that excited about me being here. Hopefully, we can keep coming here year after year.”
Among those in the crowd was his mother, Kathy Bowers. She was even stunned at the ovation her son got.
“That was really cool. I was a little surprised. It was really awesome,” she said. “It was amazing to have Kentucky and everyone here in Lexington and Danville come out and support him like that.”
But Kathy Bowers was maybe the most nervous person in the arena.
“It never gets any easier. He’s been racing since he was four and it only gets more stressful,” she said. “He’s been very fortunate throughout his whole career. He never got hurt very often. But when he does get hurt, it’s extreme.”
Tyler Bowers broke both femurs two years ago before coming back and wining the Arenacross title last season. He also battled through an injured ankle from a wreck last week. What makes it harder, Kathy Bowers says, is when she can’t be there to watch knowing how dangerous the sport is.
“It’s much better in person. It’s a lot more nervewracking when I don’t get to come because there’s nobody to really let us know what’s going on play-by-play. You can watch the live timing, but that’s all you can see. So you never really know what’s going on,” she said. “If you see him drop off the charts, then you don’t know if he’s down, if something else has happened. You’re just waiting to see. We’ve tried to talk him out of (racing) many, many times, and he’s always gone back. He’s never quit.”
Tim Bowers, Tyler’s father, was also glad to see his son get such a tremendous reception.
“We lived in Ohio for long time and we’ve lived in¿California. Kentucky is awesome,”¿Tim Bowers said. “We were just in Texas and I could not wait to get back to Kentucky. Tyler loves Kentucky, and he just loves the people and the support he got tonight was phenomenal.”
The crowd was certainly behind him during the 25-lap main event.
Bowers overcame a rough start and qualified second in his heat — “ I sputtered a little bit off the gate” — and started from the inside lane in the final race.
But it did not take long for him to seize control in the final and win by nearly two seconds over runer-up Zach Ames, who is also Bowers’ roommate. He was third with 21 laps to go, moved into second behind Jeff Gibson a lap later, then overtook him with 13 laps to go and never looked back.
“I got off to a good start. Me and Jeff Gibson, we’re battling for points right now, so it got a little aggressive there for a little bit. That’s good because it makes good racing. We put on a good show tonight,”¿said Bowers, who leads Gibson 330-309 in the points standings. “I was able to get into the lead and my endurance really stood out, and I was able to capitalize on him getting a little tired out there. I was able to push through the tired stage and push through to the end.”
Bowers also won an extra $496 dollars when he led from the start in the four-lap Dash for Cash prior to the main event.
Tim Bowers was Tyler’s mechanic, but is now the mechanic for Ames. He handles Tyler’s business affairs.
“I spread it kind of thin. The reason I help somebody else is it enables me to be at the track and it enables me to be a part of what he’s doing, but not directly,” he said. “I can see things from a distance, and I’m there to help if he needs me.”
But when the race starts, it’s hard not to watch his son as he continues to dominate the competition.
“Watching him race, it’s phenomenal all the time. We’ve been doing it for 17 years now, and it’s great,” Tim Bowers said. “You raise good kids, they turn out to be good people and they spread the love to the crowd and everyone else. I think he tries to bring joy to a lot of people through his riding.”
The crowd certainly seemed to be on his side. Tyler Bowers said just being able to be home was enjoyable
“I got to sleep in my own bad for the last two nights. It was amazing. I got to rub my dog. I haven’t seen him in forever,”¿he said. “And my grandparents were here with us this weekend. Second place was Zach Ames, so It was just a good weekend all around for the family and the crew.”
AMA¿Arenacross Series
Saturday’s Results
1. Tyler Bowers (Danville)
2. Zach Ames (Prospect, Ohio)
3. Jeff Gibson (Blacklick, Ohio)
4. Willy Browning (Pleasantville, Ohio)
5. Kevin Johnson (Spring, Texas)
Points Standings
After Saturday’s Races
Wins In Parentheses
1. Tyler Bowers (10) - 330
2. Jeff Gibson (2) - 309
3. Chad Johnson (2) - 268
4. Kelly Smith (1) - 241
5. Zach Ames - 220
