DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – AMA Pro SuperSport returns to the card at Mid-Ohio and the Buckeye SuperBike Weekend. With 50 riders pre-entered, the competition will be hot and heavy once again in the class for tomorrow’s stars and today’s fast club aces.
While the class wasn’t featured in the event, some of the top talent in AMA Pro SuperSport raced last weekend in California, AMA Pro allowed some of the top SuperSport talent to jump up a class to GoPro Daytona SportBike for the weekend.
The top SuperSport finisher in Monterey was Kaleb De Keyrel on the No. 51 De Keyrel Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. The 17-year-old carried the momentum of a double podium at Barber Motorsports Park into California and fought inside a tough pack vying for tenth place in the race. The fast teen finished a respectable 17th, leading a pack of AMA Pro SuperSport regulars including Jason Aguilar aboard the No. 96 Tuned Racing Yamaha YZF-R6, Erick Sanchez on the No. 64 EYK Racing Yamaha YZF-R6, and Miles Thornton, pilot of the No. 72 D&D Castrol Triumph Daytona 675.
De Keyrel has been building momentum in his recent SuperSport races. He’s finished in the top five four times in a row, including two third place results in Alabama. The Californian is in a good spot. Finding the speed to run with the class’ top competitors has enhanced his learning curve as he has gotten some up-close schooling.
De Keyrel will get two more chances to show what he’s got and perhaps learn some more at Mid-Ohio. He’s currently fifth in points in a very close championship.
At the front of the chase, Corey Alexander on the No. 5 Celtic/HVMC Racing Suzuki GSX-R600 and Hayden Gillim aboard the No. 69 TOBC Racing Suzuki GSX-R600 are tied for the lead at 141 points.
Alexander holds the first tiebreaker (overall wins) but with four races to go, it is unlikely things will stay the same over the last two events in this unpredictable class. Alexander had a bit of a disappointing national the last time out at Barber, notching a 13th and a fourth – well below the early season form that saw him win three races and earn a strong second place that was a wheel short of another victory.
In Alabama, the twisty course didn’t do any favors for the rider who has been dealing with a shoulder injury since Round 2 at Road America, but there has been substantial recovery time for one of the most experienced class competitors.
Gillim, like Alexander, did not race in California. The Kentuckian has built momentum as he has adjusted to a new team and motorcycle in 2014. Known as a “streak” rider, Gillim can be unbeatable on his day and he will, no doubt, be looking to add to his win total in Ohio.
For Gillim, a streak of five podiums in a row has put him back in the championship picture despite Alexander’s prowess. Both Suzuki pilots will be tested in the two-day race format that requires getting up to speed quickly and not making any mistakes, like crashes or mechanical issues, along the way.
Just behind the dynamic duo is another class star. Dustin Dominguez and his No. 68 HSBK Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 won the last race in Alabama and are just 12 points behind heading into Ohio. With four rounds left, the Oklahoman still controls his own destiny. Winning races nets the victor a five-point margin over second place in AMA Pro scoring, so Dominguez can close that gap quickly with race victories. Of course, that is easier said than done.
Lurking fourth in points is Wyatt Farris on the No. 19 Celtic/HVMC Racing Suzuki GSX-R600. Farris has been the adventure man so far in 2014 AMA Pro SuperSport, usually finding himself in a tough and entertaining battle on the circuit.
Farris had been entrenched in the top five at every race this year until Alabama, where he earned seventh and 12th place results. The Californian was better than everyone but Alexander at Daytona, so he has it in him to run up front and become a large factor in the last four races of the year.
Farris has a 15-point gap on De Keyrel for fourth in the championship standings.
Class rookie Aguilar has done well as he learns the tracks this year. He is the only rider besides Gillim and Dominguez to finish in the top ten in each AMA Pro SuperSport race this year. After his taste of the podium in Wisconsin, the Californian will no doubt be looking to get back on the box and improve his sixth place in the points, too.
The next three spots in the championship are highly contested as well. Texan J.C. Camacho on the No. 623 Camacho Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 has three points in hand over Cody Wyman and his No. 3 Harv’s Harley-Davidson Racing Yamaha YZF-R6, so fans should keep their eyes on that battle this weekend. Mexico’s Sanchez is just six points back of Wyman and coming off his best result of the year – a fifth place at Barber.
Thornton is tenth in points and has struggled a bit this year. However, Mid-Ohio is a good circuit for the Georgian. The 20-year-old earned pole position and two second place finishes in last year’s races, so he clearly knows what it takes to go fast around Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
There won’t be much time to waste in AMA Pro SuperSport as qualifying begins at 8 a.m. (5 a.m. PT) on Saturday. The first of the 15-lap finals begins at 2:10 p.m. (11:10 a.m. PT) on Saturday. Sunday’s race will fire off on the 2.4-mile course at 1:10 p.m. (10:10 a.m. PT).
AMA Pro SuperSport points standings
1. Corey Alexander 141
2. Hayden Gillim 141
3. Dustin Domingez 129
4. Wyatt Farris 107
5. Kaleb De Keyrel 92
6. Jason Aguilar 83
7. J.C. Camacho 70
8. Cody Wyman 67
9. Erick Sanchez 61
10. Miles Thornton 57
How to Watch
FansChoice.tv is the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track events in 2014. The site also provides coverage of IMSA’s development and single-make series, and NASCAR’s touring and weekly series.
More, from a press release issued by Riders Discount Triumph:
HOLLAND, Mich. – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has seen some legendary racing in its 32 consecutive years running the AMA Pro Racing series. With the top three AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Championship contenders within nine points of each other, this weekend is sure to be no different as the Riders Discount Triumph team heads to Lexington, Ohio in what promises to be an exciting show for spectators and fans alike.
Danny Eslick has been slowly chipping away at Jake Gagne’s championship lead, and with four races remaining on the AMA Pro calendar, every race counts. After a strong showing at Laguna Seca where the team secured a podium finish, they look to use that momentum for a strong push at Mid-Ohio.
“Really looking forward to getting to Mid-Ohio this weekend,” said Brian Gibson, Riders Discount Triumph team owner. “The team is working extremely well together and the bike is solid, with Danny’s aggressive style and the tight course I believe we will do well.”
With five wins including pulling the double in 2009 and owning the 600cc class track record, Danny has done extremely well in previous years at Mid-Ohio. With Danny’s history at the track and the Triumph 675R’s Attack Performance power plant and handling abilities, look for the Riders Discount Triumph crew to battle up front for a podium position once again.
How to Watch:
FansChoice.tv is the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track events in 2014. The site also provides coverage of IMSA’s development and single-make series, and NASCAR’s touring and weekly series.
About RidersDiscount.com:
Riders Discount (www.ridersdiscount.com) is an online retailer of quality powersports gear, apparel, and accessories. A company founded by racers, RidersDiscount.com ships equipment for every riding style to customers worldwide, backed by knowledgeable sales team and excellent customer service.
Triumph Motorcycles (www.TriumphMotorcycles.com) is the British motorcycle marque that produces a wide range of sport, cruiser, adventure and touring motorcycles. From the storied Bonneville to the class-leading Speed Triple and Daytona 675R, Triumph offers a blend of design, character and performance that result in truly distinctive motorcycles. First established in 1902 and now located in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, Triumph has always set the pace for category-winning machines. The company is solely owned by Bloor Holdings Ltd. and its North American operations are based in Atlanta.
Danny Eslick (http://www.eslick69.com) The Ultimate experience for all fans of Danny Eslick Racing. Check back often for all the latest news, photos, videos, and rider profiles.
More, from a press release issued by Celtic Racing/HVMC Suzuki:
Alexander & Farris Eager To Return To AMA Pro SuperSport Racing At Mid Ohio This Weekend
Celtic Hudson Valley Motorcycles Suzuki Racing’s Corey Alexander and Wyatt Farris are excited to rejoin the championship battle this weekend at the legendary Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. The 2.4 mile Mid Ohio circuit is known as one of the most challenging and demanding for riders, which rewards riders with technical skill and well timed aggression. Last year’s AMA Pro SuperSport events saw Alexander bring home a fourth place finish in race two, with a seventh place in race one after starting from sixth position on the grid. Farris had a similarly successful weekend at Mid Ohio in 2013, with a ninth place start yielding a strong sixth place finish in race one and an eleventh in race two. Both Celtic/HVMC Suzuki riders are determined to improve on their previous results and return to the top of the podium where they started the 2014 season.
Corey Alexander arrives at Mid Ohio tied for first place in the points with rival Hayden Gillim. Alexander stated “The last few weeks off have been really good for me. I’ve done a lot of riding and I feel my shoulder is basically back to 100% strength. Mid Ohio is a very fun track for me, and I feel we have the potential to do well this weekend, building on what we learned as a team during last years races. I’m very anxious for the weekend to begin, because the results of this weekend will be very influential in the championship battle. I’m confident in the team and what we are capable of when everything is working well. I have to give a big thanks to the whole team and all of my sponsors including MJRS Freeman, Spidi Leathers, XPD Boots, Arai Helmets, Boxed Water Is Better, Defy All Odds Apparel, Oakley, Crossfit OSA, and Lapizta Watches.” Please follow Corey Alexander on twitter and Instagram via @corey5alexander , keep track of him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/corey5alexander , and check out his webpage – www.corey23.com – as well.
Wyatt Farris is firmly in fourth place in the point standings as the 2014 season enters the second half at Mid Ohio. “I’m really looking forward to getting back on my Celtic/ HVMC Suzuki GSXR 600 on Saturday and starting the weekend! I had a good weekend at Mid Ohio last year, and I know that is going to pay dividends for us this weekend. Both the team and I are looking to put a solid weekend together and bring home the results our sponsors deserve!” Wyatt’s personal sponsors include: Jon Block Group, Cortech, Shoei, Defy All Odds Apparel, Above Category, and CT Racing. You can keep up with Wyatt Farris via Instagram or Twitter @wyattfarris19 or join him on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/wyattfarrisracing .
Sponsors for the Celtic/Hudson Valley Motorcycles Suzuki team include: HVMC Racing, Suzuki, MJRS Freeman, Orient Express, Jon Block Group, Yoshimura R&D, Bazzaz, Gemini, K-Tech Suspension, Pitbull, Maxima Racing Oils, Galfer, Chicken Hawk, Motion Pro, Armour Bodies, Saddlemen, Star School, DesignStar3, Zero Gravity, Signs Ink, GB Racing, DID, and Vortex.
CELTIC RACING
Celtic Racing was established in 2001 by Barry Gilsenan, and over the past 13 seasons has established itself as a premier privateer racing team. Celtic Racing has seen consecutive championship seasons in AMA Pro Racing SuperSport from 2012 to 2013. Development of riding talent began with two-stroke 125cc, and 250cc machines competing in professional and regional championship events. More recent Celtic Racing efforts have focused on AMA Pro Road Racing in the Daytona SportBike and SuperSport classes with Ducati, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha four stroke motorcycles. Gilsenan’s talent for coaching racers of all ages and abilities has brought Celtic Racing worldwide attention and recognition, with many former Celtic Racing riders now competing on World Championship levels. For more information regarding Celtic/HVMC Suzuki please join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/celticracing and follow @celticracing on twitter and Instagram – we appreciate all your support!
HUDSON VALLEY MOTORCYCLES
Hudson Valley Motorcycles has been serving New York’s Hudson Valley and Westchester County as well as Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and greater New England with Ducati, Kawasaki, and Suzuki Motorcycle/ATV Sales, Parts, and Service since 1966. Established by Richard Alexander Sr, the dealership is a family run business with employees who have been part of the family for decades in some cases. With deep and long standing customer relationships around the region, Hudson Valley Motorcycles is known for outstanding customer service, in-depth product expertise, and the foremost service department for machines of all brands. Please visit www.hvmotorcycles.com, join them on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/HVMotorcycles or follow them via @hvmotorcycles .
ORIENT EXPRESS
Established in 1973, Orient Express is celebrating its 41st year as a high performance motorcycle parts distributor and race shop. Orient Express offers engine and motorcycle building services, precision machine work, suspension servicing, and dyno tuning services. Orient Express has an extensive history of racing, including support of both professional and amateur race series and individuals. For more information regarding Orient Express, or to find out what Orient Express can do for your racing success, please call 800.645.6521 or 631.231.9552 (NY/International), visit http://www.orientexpress.com or join them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OrientExpressRacing .
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
From The Surf To The Turf, Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams Race At Mid-Ohio This Weekend
Cypress, CA – After shining brightly on the world stage last weekend at the FIM Superbike World Championship, GEICO Motorcycle U.S. Round, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California, Yamaha’s “Fast Four” are back in action again this Saturday and Sunday for their annual visit to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the Buckeye SuperBike Weekend.
Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha: Hayes & Beaubier
After notching his fourth AMA Pro Racing SuperBike win in a row and fifth victory of the 2014 season last weekend, three-time AMA Pro SuperBike Champion Josh Hayes is very much poised to add a fifth SuperBike title to his resume, possibly as soon as this weekend at Mid-Ohio, depending on how everything unfolds. Josh has won a total of six SuperBike races at Mid-Ohio aboard the Yamaha YZF-R1 SuperBike, and he’ll be riding hard to add two more Buckeye-state victories and pad his already-impressive 40-point lead in the 2014 Championship.
Standing in his way will be formidable SuperBike rookie and Josh’s Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha teammate Cameron Beaubier, who has two AMA Pro SuperBike wins this season and got the double win in Daytona SportBike at Mid-Ohio last year, along with breaking the track record in DSB. Josh and Cameron are close teammates both off the track and on, but no one wants to beat the “Mississippi Madman” more than “California Cameron.”
“Josh is one of the greatest U.S. SuperBike riders there’s ever been,” Cameron said. “He’s an awesome teammate, and I’ve learned a lot from him. He makes me bring my ‘A’ game every time we’re out on the track. It doesn’t matter if it’s practice, qualifying, or racing; Josh is the man to beat, and I’m going to give it my all this weekend at Mid-Ohio.”
Yamaha riders have won the past four SuperBike races in a row at Mid-Ohio, so Josh and Cameron will look to keep that winning streak going this weekend.
Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha: Beach & Gerloff
Kentucky’s JD Beach considers Mid-Ohio to be his home track, and racing close to home has been good for the rider of the #6 Y.E.S./Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6. Last year at Mid-Ohio, JD was on the podium in both AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike races and, just last weekend, “Jiggy Dog” finished a close second in the DSB race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
“My guys Geoff (Cesmat), Skye (Girard), and Woo (Dave Presler) have been working hard to get me comfortable on my R6, and things are really starting to click for our team,” JD said. We’ve got a lot momentum going now, and we want to continue to keep the ball rolling in Ohio this weekend.”
Among a host of other talented Yamaha R6 riders who race against JD in the DSB class is his teammate and one of his most formidable competitors, Texan Garrett Gerloff. Riding the #8 Y.E.S./Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R6, Garrett finished sixth at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca last weekend. He’s ready to return to form this weekend and give JD and the rest of the field a run for their money with a DSB victory.
Look for JD and Garrett up front and going for the fastest lap, pole position, and wins on Mid-Ohio’s picturesque 2.4-mile, 15-turn, natural road course.
Meet The Yamaha “Fast Four”
The Fan Walk, scheduled for 11:15 EST this Sunday on pit lane at Mid-Ohio, is a great opportunity to meet Josh, Cameron, JD, and Garrett up close and personal. They’ll be handing out free, autographed posters and other team items, and you can also get your picture taken with them, as well as the Monster Energy and Y.E.S. Umbrella Girls.
Get In The Mood For Mid-Ohio With Yamaha’s Latest Video
To get you ready for all the fun and exciting racing coming up this weekend at Mid-Ohio, take a look of Yamaha’s preview video: http://youtu.be/zwJ4tIyj9rg
Relive World Superbike Weekend At Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Yamaha has created an entire playlist containing all the videos from last weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, so be sure to watch them here: http://bit.ly/1sITbjq
For more Yamaha racing news, results, photos, and videos, check out: www.YamahaMotorsports.com/Racingor your favorite Yamaha social media channel.
More, from a press release issued by Wyman Brothers Racing:
Wyman brothers Kyle and Cody ready for Mid-Ohio
MACEDON, N.Y. — After a short week since this past weekend’s races at Laguna Seca, Wyman brothers Kyle & Cody will both compete this coming weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Kyle will be back in the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike as well as Harley-Davidson categories on his Millennium Technologies machines, while Cody returns to the AMA Pro Supersport series on his Harv’s Harley-Davidson sponsored machine after not competing at Laguna Seca.
“Mid-Ohio has always been like a home track to us,” Kyle said. “We always have plenty of friends and family who come out, because it’s the closest track to our home in N.Y. I have a lot of time around there and I look forward to the track knowledge I’ll have relative to the very little I had at Laguna. I’m confident that the knee will hold up and that we’ll have a good showing in both classes.”
Cody currently sits in 8th in the AMA Pro Supersport series points standings, and also considers Mid-Ohio to be one of his stronger tracks. He would like to get back to his top-5 form that he showed at the season opener at Daytona International Speedway in March.
“I’m really looking forward to Mid-Ohio,” Cody said. “I want to go out there and run back towards the front of the pack. I like the track and I think we have a good shot as long as we come out of the gate swinging on Saturday morning. It’s tough with the short weekends, but it’s the same for everybody. I can’t wait.”
Middle brother, Travis, has not competed in any AMA Pro Road Racing events in 2014, and instead has been teaching with the Dream Racing car school based in Las Vegas, Nev. He plans to race in the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in August.
To keep up with the Wyman Brothers’ races, you can watch them LIVE on www.fanschoice.tv throughout the event. Coverage begins at 8:00 a.m. EST Saturday, July 19 and continues throughout the weekend.
To follow Kyle’s career, visit www.facebook.com/kylewymanfans
To build a bike as fast as Kyle’s, visit www.mt-llc.com
More, from a press release issued by Triumph:
TRIUMPH ROAD RACERS DESCEND ON MID-OHIO FOR AN EXCITING WEEKEND OF RACING
Race Coverage Airs on FansChoice.TV
ATLANTA (July 18, 2014) – AMA Pro Road Racing arrives at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, for a two-day doubleheader of racing, July 19-20, for the Buckeye Superbike Weekend. The winding, technical track features 15 turns around a 2.4-mile circuit with fantastic vantage points for spectators and promises to make for another exciting, fast-paced schedule.
The AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike riders are in a tight battle heading into Rounds Seven and Eight of the racing season. Danny Eslick and the #69 Riders Discount Racing / Triumph team leads the class of Triumph riders with a total of 130 championship points, just nine points shy of the leader Jake Gagne. Coming off the pole position at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Jason DiSalvo and the #40 Sportbike Tracktime / Castrol / Triumph team is gaining ground and holds position in the top ten with 67 points.
“Our race last week was not as strong as it could have been, but I am still feeling positive about getting the pole position in qualifiers,” said DiSalvo. “I am looking forward to another strong performance this weekend.”
Five Daytona SportBike Triumph riders are entered in this weekend’s Buckeye SuperBike Weekend.
* Elena Myers – #21 Apex Manufacturing/Castrol/Triumph
* Jason DiSalvo – #40 Sportbike Track Time/Castrol/Triumph
* Kenny Riedmann – #42 Riedmann Racing/Castrol/Triumph
* Bobby Fong – #50 Latus Motors Racing/Castrol/Triumph
* Danny Eslick – #69 Riders Discount Racing/Triumph
The SuperSport class features three Triumph riders.
* Sam Wang – #28 Motohio European Motorbikes Moto Series/Triumph
* Roy Hefner – #163 Motor Cycle Center/Vortex/Triumph
* Ryan Ambrose – #275 Aggressive Racing/RPM Cycle/Big D Cycle/Triumph
For more information, check out the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course schedule<http://www.amaproracing.com/rr/events/event.cfm?year=2014&eid=2014011420> at AMAProRacing.com.
Both AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike 19-lap races will be held on Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The 15-lap SuperSport races are 4:10 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 19, and 1:10 p.m. on Sunday, July 20.
About Triumph
Triumph Motorcycles is the British motorcycle marque that produces a wide range of sport, cruiser, adventure and touring motorcycles. From the storied Bonneville to the class-leading Speed Triple and Daytona 675R, Triumph offers a blend of design, character and performance that result in truly distinctive motorcycles. First established in 1902 and now located in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, Triumph has always set the pace for category-winning machines. The company is solely owned by Bloor Holdings Ltd., and its North American operations are based in Atlanta. To see the full range of Triumph motorcycles visit www.TriumphMotorcycles.com.
More, from another press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:
AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson title contenders looking to make moves at Mid-Ohio
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 18, 2014) – The opening half of the 2014 AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series has featured four different winners in as many races. And now with four races to go, the championship picture is starting to come into focus as AMA Pro Road Racing arrives at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the Buckeye SuperBike Weekend.
2010 AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series champ Danny Eslick on the No. 69 Ruthless Racing Harley-Davidson XR1200 has assumed the points lead after claiming his first victory of the season last Saturday at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
After getting caught up in the last-lap shuffle in the series opener at Daytona International Speedway – where he ended up crossing the line in sixth – the hard-charging Oklahoman has finished no lower than second.
He actually hit the stripe second again last weekend after registering a measured ride to the win, well aware that the disappearing Steve Rapp and his No. 1 Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson XR1200 had been hit with a ten-second penalty for jumping the start.
Eslick is looking to score a clear victory this weekend and open up a commanding championship lead heading into the season’s final three races.
“I think everybody expected me to just come in and win and it just shows that these guys have been busting their butts and riding these Harleys really hard,” Eslick said. “They’re definitely not the easiest bikes to get around a racetrack. When you get up to the pace Steve and some of these other guys are going, it makes it pretty tough. It’s a lot of fun. It’s not the way I wanted to win it – by penalty – but a ‘W’ is a ‘W’, and we need the points. We’ll definitely take the money and move on to Mid-Ohio.”
Rapp, meanwhile, has found his form in terms of sheer pace, but his odds of claiming a repeat championship are growing ever longer. Last week’s penalty resulted in a ten-point swing and he no longer controls his own destiny. Currently fifth and trailing Eslick by 38 points, even if Rapp sweeps the last four races of the season, he’ll need Eslick to average worse than third in order to successfully repeat.
Despite the mistakes and misfortune that have left him in such a precarious championship position, Rapp remains the man to beat on any given weekend, as evidenced by his breakaway speed at the most recent two rounds. The Californian won at Mid-Ohio last season, but it came following a tight fight for the win in contrast to his more common jailbreak-style escapes at the front.
“I just wanted to get a good start and try to build up a lead if I could and it looked like everything was going as planned,” Rapp said of his Monterey runner-up performance. “I didn’t know the penalty was for me. I wasn’t really aware of what was going on, I was riding as if there was nothing going on. The bike was good and the tires felt great. Everything felt pretty good overall.”
Even though there have been four winners in four races, Kyle Wyman, pilot of the No. 33 KWR/Millennium Technologies Harley-Davidson XR1200, is the only man besides Rapp to have taken the checkered flag first this season. His Daytona disqualification handed the season-opening victory over to Tyler O’Hara on the No. 29 Josh Chisum Racing/Bartels Harley-Davidson XR1200.
Wyman successfully bounced back to win at Road America, but crashed out the following weekend at Barber Motorsports Park. He continued his rollercoaster ride of a 2014 season by rebounding to claim the final spot on the box last weekend.
Wyman is hoping to end that up-and-down trend by backing up one strong race with another – this time at the closest thing he has to a home track on the tour.
“Mid-Ohio is actually the closest AMA track to my home in New York,” Wyman said. “I’m looking forward to some better track familiarity and this short week to rest my knee. I feel I will be 100 percent by Saturday morning and ready to make a charge.”
O’Hara, meanwhile, is hoping to reclaim the championship lead he had maintained all season until being displaced by Eslick last weekend California.
The perennial title contender, who is now second in the points and eleven back of first, has been uncharacteristically quiet as of late, stringing together three consecutive fourth place results. While he’s been both quick and consistent, he’ll be plenty motivated to get back on the box this weekend at Mid-Ohio.
Ben Carlson on the No. 45 Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson XR1200 and Gage McAllister aboard the No. 51 Folsom Harley-Davidson XR1200 remain championship dark horses, currently ranked third and fourth, respectively.
With a fifth for Carlson and a seventh for McAllister, the two suffered their worst races of the season last weekend in Monterey. Fortunately, they won’t have to stew long with an opportunity for redemption rapidly upon them.
Meanwhile, up-and-comers Nick Hansen, riding the No. 97 Aerostar Global Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson XR1200, and Hayden Schultz on the No. 59 Chili Pepper Racing Harley-Davidson XR1200 are just behind Wyman in the order in seventh and eighth, respectively.
“Steve and Danny pulled away from our group, but we kept passing and re-passing each other,” Schultz said. “I could pass in a few corners, but just couldn’t make them stick for a whole lap. On the last lap, I pushed hard into the last turn, and tried to get a good drive, but I got kicked out of the seat and lost some time on the guy ahead of me.”
Ryan Kerr on the No. 28 Ryan Kerr Racing XR1200, the last man in the championship top ten, is excited about the prospects of performing in front of his home crowd this weekend. Hailing from nearby Johnstown, Ohio, Kerr is coming off an excellent sixth place run, which equaled his best result of 2014.
“The weekend was full of ups and downs but overall it was good,” Kerr said. “The race was a battle and I am happy with my sixth-place finish and even more thrilled with my lap times. My times prove that I can ride with the leaders and become a top competitor in this series.
The AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series will first take to the track on Saturday at 10:20 a.m. local time (7:20 a.m. PT) for their opening practice. The 11-lap race will get underway at 12:15 p.m. Sunday afternoon (9:15 a.m. PT).
Top 10 AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley Davidson results from
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
1. Danny Eslick
2. Steve Rapp
3. Kyle Wyman
4. Tyler O’Hara
5. Ben Carlson
6. Ryan Kerr
7. Gage McCallister
8. Hayden Schultz
9. Darren James
10. Josh Chisum
AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley Davidson points standings
1. Danny Eslick 95
2. Tyler O’Hara 84
3. Ben Carlson 76
4. Gage McCallister 70
5. Steve Rapp 57
6. Kyle Wyman 51
7. Nick Hansen 47
8. Hayden Schultz 41
9. Eric Stump 40
10. Ryan Kerr 40
How to Watch
FansChoice.tv is the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track events in 2014. The site also provides coverage of IMSA’s development and single-make series, and NASCAR’s touring and weekly series.
More, from a press release issued by VETMotorsports:
7/18/2014 Upper Arlington, Ohio.
VETMotorsports returns to the AMA Pro Road Racing paddock this weekend and travels to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH. The central-Ohio based non-profit missed the the last round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, but just recently worked in Colorado Springs, CO and Ft. Wayne, IN. VETMotorsports will place two post 9/11 injured combat veterans into two AMA Pro Road Racing Teams. Assisting in the outreach this weekend will be regular Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series contenders James Gang / Hoban Brothers Racing and Chili Pepper Racing. SuperSport series regular Mullins Cycle Works will also embed a VETMotorsports crew member. A new addition this weekend will be the Monster Energy / Graves / Yamaha Race Team, who will place a combat injured Navy veteran within their program. The overall mission is to provide this generation of wounded veterans a unique and powerful non-clinical outreach program in motor sports.
“We missed being at the last AMA Pro Road Racing event, but VETMotorsports is looking forward to our ‘home event’ this weekend. James Gang / Hoban Brothers racing has been supporting our veterans outreach all season, and the addition of the Monster Energy / Graves / Yamaha Race Team adds a new dimension to our program. Our collaboration this weekend with the Monster Energy / Graves / Yamaha Race Team is a considered a pilot program. Overall we want to evaluate the future potential of VETMotorsports, and we will listen to the team and veteran feedback throughout the weekend. There is no doubt that the veterans embedded into both teams will be in a positive environment, and we are grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to VETMotorsports,” stated VETMotorsports Executive Director and Founder Peter Cline.
To learn about or donate to VETMotorsports please visit them on the web at www.vetmotorsports.org or follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/VETMotorsports, Twitter @VETMotorsports or Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/VETMotorsports/
Interested in attending or want more information? Please contact Peter Cline at 6145638634 (voice/text) or at [email protected]
More, from a press release issued by Hansen House Communication on behalf of Chris Clark:
Lexington, OH (July 18, 2014)
Maintaining control of 5th place in the AMA Pro SuperBike championship points race, Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Chris Clark is eager to deliver a podium-finish performance like he did at Barber Motorsports Park in June this season. Clark arrives for this weekend’s races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, following last weekend’s difficult performance at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, to show that he and his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 can again compete near the front.
“I’m focusing on the positives from earlier this season,” said Clark, “and am putting behind me the results from Laguna Seca. I feel good coming into these races at Mid-Ohio. My Yoshimura Suzuki team has worked very hard to keep my GSX-R1000 in top form, and I’m ready for a full weekend of racing.”