Larry Pegram Enjoying Early Success on New Yamaha R1 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 5, 2013) – There is no question that Josh Herrin and Martin Cardenas have been atop all recent headlines and deservedly so after their stellar performances during GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing’s first round of action at Daytona International Speedway last month. Josh Hayes, defending three-time AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Champion, never even finished a race at Daytona yet still managed to draw a huge amount of publicity because of his previous success. Perhaps the biggest name flying under the radar so far in 2013 is 39-year-old Larry Pegram. The Ohio product is mounted on a Yamaha R1 (the very same machine Hayes has been so explosive on during his lustrous string of recent championships) and looks primed to make a run at the coveted National Guard SuperBike Championship this season. Pegram landed on the podium in both National Guard SuperBike races held at Daytona to kick off the season and is more confident than ever after making the switch from a BMW S1000RR (which he had ridden the previous two years) to a Yamaha R1 for 2013. “I feel a lot more comfortable on the bike, there’s no question about it,” said Pegram. “Anything Yamaha crafted is going to be top quality and I’m very pleased with how it handles. It’s the same brand of motorcycle that’s been winning all of the races in the last few years. I can’t thank Foremost Insurance enough for allowing me the opportunity to get on such an incredible machine.” With over a month until the next round of action, Pegram plans on using every day of the extended layover to improve his fitness and address any issues that he and his team deem necessary to be at his very best when Road America rolls around in late May. “We’re going to go testing at some point very shortly to make sure we’re ready for Round 2,” said Pegram. “The most important thing for me is that I stay fit and in the best shape possible over the break. I have been vigorously bicycling which helps with my hips and knees. It’s starting to get a little warmer up here in Ohio which makes it easier to get out and ride. We had a minor mishap at Daytona this year during qualifying when I crashed but we immediately located the reason for it and have since fixed the problem.” As previously mentioned, Pegram is 39-years-old. The wily veteran isn’t getting any younger and some might wonder just how much more he’s got left in the tank. Judging by the impressive statistics he has been putting up in recent years, as well as his cunning performance at Daytona this year, the Yamaha-mounted Pegram looks as if he’s currently in the midst of his prime. “I’m still having fun doing what I love and I certainly don’t plan on hanging it up anytime soon,” said Pegram. “I’m still hitting podiums and I don’t have any reason to consider retiring right now. I honestly feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. I’m at my peak and the fact that I’m on the R1 gives me even more reason to believe this is my year and there are many more to come.” If there’s one word that can describe Pegram; it’s consistency. Over the last four National Guard SuperBike seasons, he has placed in the top ten in the final point standings each year. In 2009 and 2010, he rode a Ducati 1098R to consecutive fourth place finishes in the points. In 2011 and 2012, he competed on the BMWS1000RR and found himself seventh in the points at seasons end. Now, in 2013, Pegram has his sights set on nothing short of his first ever National Guard SuperBike Championship as he contests on one of the fastest bikes in the sport. Look for Pegram to stay hot come May 31, 2013 when Round 2 of GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing commences in Elkhart Lake, Wis.