Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo dropped the jaws of nearly everyone in the Daytona International Speedway paddock Thursday by turning an incredible 1:50.998 on his YZF-R6 during AMA Supersport qualifying.

Not only was 20-year-old DiSalvo’s time good enough for pole position, it was nearly two full seconds faster than the old Supersport lap record (1:52.785 by Miguel Duahmel in 2003) and DiSalvo did the time without the benefit of a drafting partner.

“I might have had a little, tiny draft off of a lapper in the back,” said DiSalvo. “I wanted to get every little bit I could, then I just put my head down.”

Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden (1:51.298) and Roger Lee Hayden (1:52.237) qualified second and third, respectively, and were equally happy with their ZX-6RRs.

DiSalvo’s teammates Aaron Gobert (1:52.434) and Damon Buckmaster (1:52.492) drafted together to the fourth- and fifth-fastest times, respectively.

Pascal Picotte crashed his Picotte DXS Yamaha YZF-R6 early in the session, causing a red flag. Picotte was seen walking after the crash but was taken to the infield care center for X-rays, according to team members.

Triangle Cycles Yamaha’s Larry Pegram did not qualifying in Supersport. After Thursday morning’s Supersport practice session, Pegram decided to sit out the Supersport race because of limited resources and a better chance of winning in the Superstock race, according to his team.

Provisional AMA Supersport Qualifying Results:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:50.998*
2. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:51.297
3. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:52.236
4. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:52.434
5. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:52.492
6. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:52.547
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:52.764
8. Michael Barnes, Yamaha, 1:52.909
9. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:53.271
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:53.497
11. Scott Greenwood, Yamaha, 1:54.046
12. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:54.451
13. Chris Peris, Suzuki, 1:54.533
14. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:55.971
15. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, 1:56.719
16. Jeffrey Tigert, Honda, 1:56.952
17. Jason Perez, Yamaha, 1:57.368
18. William Meyers, III, Yamaha, 1:57.643
19. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:57.731
20. Pedro Valiente, Yamaha, 1:57.886

*New lap record