From an AMA press release:

JAMIE HACKING LOSES POINTS, TEAM BLIMPIE YOSHIMURA SUZUKI FINED FOR EQUIPMENT VIOLATION AT ROAD ATLANTA

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Pro Racing has deducted 10 championship points from Jamie Hacking and fined his Team Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki team $2000 for using a non-production rear wheel in the AMA Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport race Sunday, May 20 at the Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship event at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga.

The wheel, which was impounded after customary post-race inspection, proved to be lighter than an OEM stock wheel.

(AMA Pro Racing issued revised point standings, showing Aaron Yates leading with 142 points and Hacking in second with 109 points, followed by Damon Buckmaster with 106 points.)


(Editorial comment: The points deduction launched more controversy regarding inconsistencies in AMA rules enforcement. While Hacking lost 10 points for running a lightened wheel at Road Atlanta, and while Ben Spies lost 32 points for running with a disconnected air injection line–designed to reduce emissions–in the Superstock race at Fontana, Damon Buckmaster lost no points for running an illegal frame in Formula Xtreme at Fontana, Sears Point and Road Atlanta. All of which led Jason Pridmore to state, “They took points from Ben, they took points from Jamie, and they didn’t take any points away from Damon for riding an illegal motorcycle. It’s beyond me.”)