Precision Track Days brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
Revving Up the Track Day Experience with Precision Track Day!
PJ Jacobsen won MotoAmerica Supersport Race One Saturday afternoon at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. It was a multi-rider dogfight from the start to the finish of the 18-lap race, but Jacobsen was able to get his Dunlop-shod Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2 across the finish line first thanks to a last-lap, last-corner pass.
Blake Davis led at many points of the race but had to settle for the runner-up spot, just 0.103 second behind Jacobsen, on his N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Yamaha YZF-R6.
Supersport newcomer Mathew Scholtz came from 11th on the grid to lead late in the race and ended finishing third in his debut race on his new Strack Racing Yamaha.
Pole-sitter Tyler Scott was leading on lap 12 when he crashed his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750. Scott was able to walk away from the crash.
More, from a press release issued by Rahal Ducati Moto:
ROAD ATLANTA: RACE 1
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024 | QUALIFYING 2 & RACE 1
The Rahal Ducati Moto team started the Supersport championship season off with PJ Jacobsen riding his XPEL Ducati to victory lane at the checkered flag of Race 1. The race proved to showcase the team’s speed and determination for the upcoming season as all three riders claimed a top 10 spot.
Corey Alexander raced to the front of the pack trading places with his teammate, Jacobsen, battling for position before ultimately finishing fourth. Kayla Yaakov also showed tremendous strength battling the twists and turns of Road Atlanta to claim the ninth-place spot.
Tomorrow hosts another chance to earn hardware as the trio takes on Race 2 of the weekend. The race is expected to run under wet conditions with rain in the forecast throughout the day. The second race of the weekend will go green at 2:10 p.m. ET with coverage available at MotoAmericaLivePlus.com.
PJ JACOBSEN
No. 15 XPEL DUCATI PANIGALE V2
STARTED: Third
FINISHED: First
CHAMPIONSHIP: First // 25 Points
NOTES: Battled through 18 laps, trading the lead with Tyler Scott, Blake Davis, and Matt Scholtz throughout the race // Clocked the third-fastest lap of the race matching teammate Corey Alexander’s fastest lap // Heads into Race 2 of the weekend in the points lead // Will start tomorrow’s race from third
WHAT HE’S SAYING: “First off, I want to say thanks to the Rahal Ducati Moto team, Graham and Bobby, XPEL, Roller Die, Richie Alexander, and the whole crew for turning things around since Daytona. It’s a brand new team and Graham and Ben have done such a great job moving things in the right direction. Huge thanks to them for putting this program together and getting everything solid on track.
“It’s felt really good to progress and test with an organized team and a great environment. I was nervous going into Race 1 of the MotoAmerica championship season. Everybody was super close in pace, so I was trying to manage leading in P1 for a while. Tyler [Scott] passed me, Blake [Davis] passed me, and I was going to sit behind them and see what they had, but unfortunately, Tyler crashed and I didn’t want to hit him so I threw my hand up thinking a red flag would come out. It was scary for me and everyone behind me because the bike was in the middle of the track. I was really worried about Tyler being there – I hope he’s all right. My teammate Corey [Alexander] was riding great and then [Mathew] Scholtz came to pass with two laps to go and I knew I had to turn it up a little bit. I knew if I didn’t get the draft with someone on the inside of me on the last lap then I would’ve had a go at Blake, and I knew where to get him. When he passed me in Turn 10A, I knew I had a good go in Turn 12, so I went for it. Supersport will be interesting this year because of all the fast talent in the class, but it was a really good race overall and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
COREY ALEXANDER
No. 23 ROLLER DIE DUCATI PANIGALE V2
STARTED: Fifth
FINISHED: Fourth
CHAMPIONSHIP: Fourth // 13 Pts.
NOTES: Recorded a running position as high as second, battling for a podium finish through the final lap // Will start Race 2 from fifth
WHAT HE’S SAYING: “It was a good race for us. I definitely would’ve liked to get on the podium with PJ – it was my goal to get two Rahal Ducati Moto bikes up there but unfortunately, I was battling my size the whole race which was pretty obvious. I couldn’t capitalize on my strengths when running with the group and had to do a lot of work on the brakes to stay in the podium hunt. I didn’t have a lot of confidence in the front tire those last couple laps so I was happy enough to take home a 4th place in one piece, still exceeding my expectations coming into the weekend. We’ve had a huge turnaround from Daytona and we’re happy to have three of our Ducati’s up in the top 10. It looks like tomorrow might get a little wet and wild so let’s see what the day brings.”
KAYLA YAAKOV
No. 19 XPEL DUCATI PANIGALE V2
STARTED: 12th
FINISHED: Ninth
CHAMPIONSHIP: Ninth // 7 Pts.
NOTES: Gained three positions throughout the 18-lap race // Ran with strong race pace and was able to stick with the lead group to earn a ninth-place finish to start the season // Confident with the bike and the changes the team can make overnight // Will roll off the grid from the 12th position for tomorrow’s race
WHAT SHE’S SAYING: “Today was a pretty good day. We made some changes going into the race and they helped out a lot. The overall race pace was good, especially towards the end. We have a couple of things to work on, but I’m pretty confident going into tomorrow. The bike’s feeling better each session which is always the goal and I keep improving positions every time. I’m super excited for tomorrow, rain or dry, and to get back on the XPEL Ducati and continue to improve my position.”
BEN SPIES
TEAM PRINCIPAL
WHAT HE’S SAYING: “I’m extremely happy for the team! PJ [Jacobsen] ran a great race – sent it pretty hard on the last lap, protected the inside, and ultimately got it done. Corey [Alexander] ran a pretty great race too and Kayla [Yaakov] improved during Qualifying 2. This validates all the changes we’ve made since returning from Daytona. We couldn’t be happier for PJ, the team and everybody involved and are very pleased with the confidence that’s building in our organization. It is just one race, but it’s a great start to the season and we’ve got tomorrow to regroup and try and get on the podium again.”
