Team Faith Takes on Round Six of the Amsoil Arenacross Series

28 Feb 2017

Dawson Newby jumps his Team Faith KTM at the Kansas City stop of Arenacross

K&N-sponsored Team Faith is a non-profit outreach ministry that impacts people who are enthusiastic about action sports. The team is involved in a variety of motorsports with the highest profile being Arenacross (AX). The TF racers had an eventful round six of the Amsoil Arenacross Series.

Returning to race after a three year hiatus from Arenacross, Team Faith re-enlisted former team rider Kelly Smith to take on the AX Lites division aboard the #37 machine in place of the injured Dylan Rouse. Smith knows a thing or two about Arenacross and the mission of Team Faith, making him a solid fit for the squad.

The #316 ride of Dawson Newby was also in the house in Kansas City working to get his Team Faith supported KTM ride back into the night show. In only his third race since returning from injury, Newby was eager to measure his recent progress and continue his mission in both the AX and AX Lites classes.

Kelly Smith got the ball rolling for Team Faith inside of the Sprint Center, leading the way through the first AX Lites practice. After just one lap, Smith looked to be fast and comfortable on the #37 KTM 250SX-F.

Team Faith takes time to make a difference in the lives of kids

Smith's return to Arenacross would unfortunately be short lived. Only three laps into practice, Kelly came up short attempting to triple into the technical rhythm section, injuring his back in the process. No stranger to injury, Kelly recognized there was a problem right away and opted to pull out of practice. After leaving the arena to seek medical attention, it was confirmed that Kelly suffered a compression fracture of his L1 and L2 vertebrae. Smith's untimely injury will prematurely derail his return to Arenacross with Team Faith for the 2017 season.

Dawson Newby looked impressive throughout the day, charging through qualifying with confidence and improving his lap times every session. Appearing to be more comfortable on the track with each passing lap, Newby looked much more aggressive this week in his third race back from a serious wrist injury.

On Sunday during amateur competition, Team Faith Road Pastor Lary Dean lined up once again for another weekend of Central Region competition. Looking to secure his spot at the season finale in Las Vegas, Dean was able to do just that. Following his second and fourth place finishes in Kansas City, Lary earned Team Faith a pair of Regional Championships in the 35+ and 40+ class.

Remaining Amsoil Arenacross Series Schedule:

March 3-5 Landers Center Southaven, Mississippi