American Superbike Rnd 2: Pegram Converts a Highside into a Podium
Ducati North America supported Larry Pegram put a first lap highside in Race 1 behind him to take 3rd place in Race 2 at the second round of of the American Superbike class at Auto Club Speedway on his Ducati 1098R. Suzuki’s Mat Mladin continued his early domination of the series with two wins.
Entering this weekend’s Fontana round of the 2009 championship; rider Larry Pegram was confident in his Ducati 1098 R Superbike, and his chances for a win in Fontana. After a strong showing in practice, Pegram’s race one was cut short on the third corner by a horrific highside accident, leaving him motionless on the track and prompting a red flag. The Team Foremost Pegram racing rider was unable to make the restart, although later in the day was cleared by medics to partake in Sunday’s race two. He recovered in fine form for the second race, finishing on the podium.
“I wasn’t expecting to get on the box today, really. I just wanted to go out there and get some points and try to salvage the weekend, so getting on the box made it nice. I just rode around at what I felt like was a comfortable pace and started catching the guys in front of me. I just started picking the guys off—get right on them and draft them up the front straightaway. My bike had good steam, and just one by one went by them,” commented Pegram.
Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Mat Mladin won both races although he didn’t have it all his own way. Teammate, Tommy Hayden pushed Mladin hard in the first race and again in the second, although he faded later in the race to finish 10 seconds behind. Jeff May brought the Jordan Suzuki home in 3rd position in the first race.
For USA readers, SPEED TV will show the racing from Auto Club Speedway on March 28th at 10pm EST. The next round of the series is Road Atlanta, April 3-5th.
Results: Race 1, American Superbike at Auto Club Speedway
1 Mat Mladin Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000
2 Tommy Hayden Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000
3 Geoff May National Guard Jordan Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000
4 Blake Young Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000
5 Jake Holden Corona Extra Honda Honda CBR1000RR
6 Joshua Hayes Yamaha Motor Corp Yamaha R1
7 Ben Bostrom Yamaha Motor Corp Yamaha R1
8 David Anthony Aussie Dave Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000
9 Taylor Knapp Taylor Knapp Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000
10 Aaron Gobert Holden Racing Honda CBR1000RR
11 Chris Ulrich Roadracingworld.com Suzuki GSX-R1000
Results: Race 2, American Superbike at Auto Club Speedway
1 Mat Mladin Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000
2 Tommy Hayden Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000
3 Larry Pegram Pegram Racing Ducati 1098R
4 Geoff May National Guard Jordan Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000
5 Ben Bostrom Yamaha Motor Corp Yamaha R1
6 Joshua Hayes Yamaha Motor Corp Yamaha R1
7 Taylor Knapp Taylor Knapp Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000
8 David Anthony Aussie Dave Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000
9 Blake Young Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki Suzuki GSX-R1000
10 Aaron Yates Jordan Suzuki Brand Suzuki GSX-R1000
11 Aaron Gobert Holden Racing Honda CBR1000RR
12 Scott Jensen Moto Garage Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000
13 Hawk Mazzotta Aussie Dave Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000
14 Scotty Van Hawk Four Feathers Racing Yamaha R1
15 Shawn Higbee Higbee-Racing.com Buell 1125CR
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