Yamalube/Westby Racing’s Josh Day Finishes Strong, Scores His 7th & 8th Podiums Of The 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Season
Millville, NJ – September 14, 2015 – MotoAmerica’s inaugural season ended with Round 9, which took place over the past weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Coming into the weekend with the mantra “Finish Strong” on their minds, Josh Day and his Yamalube/Westby Racing team did just that in the final two Superstock 1000 races of the year.
Josh put his #00 Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock 1000 bike at the pointy end of the field in both of Sunday’s races, and even diced with 2015 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier at one point in Race 2.
In Race 1, Josh didn’t get as good of a start as he would have liked, but he used the prodigious power of his bright-gold R1 to work himself up to third, despite having to deal with a red flag due to a fallen rider and a second red flag due to rain.
“It was a little crazy in Race 1, with the red flags,” Josh said. “I really didn’t get off to a very good start, and I got held up a little bit in the beginning, which kind of decided my result. I’m looking to turn it around in Race 2, and give Jake a run for his money.”
Josh made good on his word, and got a much better start in Race 2 where he found himself among the more-powerful Superbikes, and he definitely gave race winner and 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion Jake Gagne a good battle.
“In Race 2, I got off to a very good start and entered Turn 1 in the best position I’ve had all year,” commented Josh. “It felt really good to be running up close with all the Superbike guys. I was able to make a pass on Jake Gagne going into Turn 1 and, shortly after that, I got past Cameron, who was on his way to winning the Superbike Championship. Then, coming out of the last turn, I got in there a little hot and got off-track a little, which enabled Jake to get back by me. I couldn’t hold that pace for the whole race distance without ending up on the ground so, by the time the checkered flag flew, I had to settle for third place. Thanks to Tryg (Westby, Team Owner), Chuck (Giacchetto, Team Manager), and the whole Yamalube/Westby Racing team for giving me an awesome bike all year long. I’m really looking forward to what the future has in store.”
Watch Round 9 Of The MotoAmerica Championship on CBS Sports
MotoAmerica Round 9 from New Jersey Motorsports Park will air on Sunday, September 20, at 5:00 PM EST. For the complete MotoAmerica TV broadcast schedule on CBS Sports Network, visit http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-tv-schedul…
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More, from a press release issued by Waznie Racing:
Tough Return to the United States for Szoke
Sunday Sept 13th New Jersey Motorsports Park – Millville New Jersey, United States
10 time Canadian Superbike Champ had his sights set high while his Mopar Express Lane/BMW Motorrad backed rig was pointed south for the final event of the Moto America series held at New Jersey Motorsports Park just outside of Millville NJ, United States. With huge success up north, Szoke was confident his return to American competition, during Moto America’s introductory season, would be fortunate. Unfortunately the latter would be victorious.
Plagued with mechanical problems throughout the weekend, Szoke had trouble getting the speed he desired as quickly as he required despite this being his first visit to the 2.25 mile 12 turn road course. Szoke qualified 13th on the grid for the Two-Race finale held both on Sunday afternoon.
Weather tormented the weekend with spattering of rain throughout Race One causing the race to be red flagged and restarted. “ I rolled out of it a bit after it started to rain, I was there to have fun, and didn’t want to take too many chances when it was slippery and bring my bike (or myself) home in pieces.” said Szoke. Jordan’s Canadian spec BMW was competing in the Superstock class and finished 9th in his class, 15th overall, during Race One.
“We just couldn’t get over the hump in timing.” said a frustrated Szoke. “Once we finally found the problem we were having after the first race on Sunday we were really pumped to have some dry weather and a sound set up for the Race Two in the afternoon.” Ohlins suspension guru Jon Cornwell discovered Szoke’s fork to have a broken o-ring causing no compression dampening and heaps of front end problems.
Race Two came to an abrupt end as Szoke ended up in the gravel trap as his chances for redemption came to a screeching halt. “I got a great start and was right up there with the lead Superstock pack until my bike was blown right out from under me. I got hit so hard from behind I was flying through the air. I was really lucky not to get run over. Now I’m bruised up, hurt my elbow, wrecked my leathers and made a mess of my beautiful motorcycle.” said a disappointed Szoke enroute home on the I-95. “This was one of my worst AMA Nationals ever, my first crash since I fell in a Q session in Canada back in 2012! But that’s racing and that’s the way it goes sometimes.
“We ended up going quite a bit quicker than our northern front runners this season, and the results do not show that.” said Szoke, “Which is a commendation to Moto America as their leadership has really proven to create a deep talent pool down here. I really want to make a return to this series again next season, I don’t feel we showcased our Canadian Talent adequately enough.”
Even though Szoke’s weekend was a rough one he commented, ”Racing with Moto America under Wayne Rainey and all of his people’s leadership was truly pleasurable. They were all so friendly and welcoming I really hope we can revisit them again soon. Coming back to American competition was like a family reunion for me, I love the competition and crave the challenge. It will be a long off season for me that’s for sure.
“BMW Motorrad helped us get down to compete in the final weekend for Moto America, so a huge thanks to them for giving me this opportunity. I truly hope we can do it again in 2016.” finishes Szoke.
Jordan is still leading the BMW Motorrad Race Trophy with an advantage of 40 points. With his season completed there will be no opportunity for him to collect any more points in the championship. With the championship closing Nov 22nd, let’s hope a Perfect Season was enough to claim the world’s most innovative motorcycle racing series.