KurveyGirl.com brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
Josh Herrin won the 2024 MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Championship in style Saturday at New Jersey Motorsports Park, in Millville, New Jersey. Riding his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R on Dunlop Sportmax Slicks, Herrin came from behind and held off a pack of challengers to win Race One by 0.403 second, giving him an insurmountable point lead.
Bobby Fong was the runner-up on his Wrench Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R1.
Herrin’s teammate Loris Baz placed third, just 0.593 second behind Herrin.
Five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier finished a close fourth on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR.
Richie Escalante took fifth on his Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R.
Cameron Petersen led early on his Attack Performance/Progressive Yamaha but faded to sixth.
Sean Dylan Kelly came home seventh on his EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing BMW.
Petersen’s temporary teammate Xavi Fores also led the race early on before slipping back to eighth.
Benjamin Smith was ninth, 0.6 second behind Fores, on his FLO4LAW Racing Yamaha.
Ashton Yates rounded out the top 10 overall finishers took first place in the Superbike Cup victory on his Jones Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
More, from a press release issued by MotoAmerica:
Herrin Takes 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Title In Style
11 Years Later, Josh Herrin Earns His Second Superbike Championship To End Ducati’s 30-Year Title Drought At New Jersey Motorsports Park
MILLVILLE, NJ (September 28, 2024) – Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin won the second AMA Superbike Championship of his career on Saturday at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and he did so with the flair of a champion. Simply put, he won when he didn’t need to.
Herrin worked his way forward after crossing the line in fifth place on the opening lap and most expected him to stay there. After all, it would have been the easy way to wrap up the title But it wasn’t Herrin’s way. He kept pushing: Fourth on lap six, third on lap seven, second on lap nine and the lead on lap 11. But he was being hounded by Wrench Motorcycle’s Bobby Fong, who made a move on Herrin to take the lead for the first time on lap 15 of 20. Okay, so now Herrin would chill and take the title with a second-place finish.
Or not.
Herrin re-passed a feisty Fong with two laps to go and rode to a .403 of a second victory – his sixth of the year and the 16th AMA Superbike win of his career. And, more importantly, it resulted in his second Superbike title – 11 years after his first. The championship also ended a winless drought for Ducati that goes back 30 years to when Australian Troy Corser won the title on a Fast By Ferracci Ducati in 1994.
Fong held on for second, .190 of a second ahead of Herrin’s teammate and wingman Loris Baz, with the Frenchman earning his third podium of the season after leading seven laps of the race.
Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier ran in the lead foursome but ultimately had to settle for fourth as he suffered with a lack of corner-entry grip. He crossed the line 1.7 seconds behind race-winner Herrin.
Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante emerged from a five-rider battle to finish fifth, 1.8 seconds ahead of Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen.
EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly was seventh, hot on Petersen’s rear wheel and just .104 of a second behind the South African. Kelly, meanwhile, was just a fraction of a second ahead of Petersen’s fill-in teammate Xavi Forés, who in turn was just a tick over half a second ahead of FLO4LAW Racing’s Benjamin Smith in his best ride of the season.
Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates rounded out the top 10.
Notable non-finishers were Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch and Tytlers Cycle Racing’s JD Beach with both riders crashing out in separate incidents.
With just Sunday’s race two left in the season, Herrin has an insurmountable points lead of 58 over Beaubier, 325-267. Fong is third with Kelly fourth and Baz fifth. Kelly leads Baz by just nine points, and Baz leads Petersen by just three points.
In the Superbike Cup, Danilo Lewis’ crash cost him the championship points lead with Yates now leading the Brazilian by 15 points going into tomorrow’s finale and the battle for the $25,000 winner’s check.
Quotes…
Josh Herrin – Winner
“At the beginning, it was getting hectic. Everybody was all over the place. I was just trying to be relaxed and calm, like I talked about. Like (Cameron) Beaubier did. Just trying to learn from that over the years and just be calm at the beginning, even when things aren’t going your way. I was able to do that today and then put my head down and start picking them away. I just felt so comfortable, and it looked like everybody else was so uncomfortable. When I was in the lead, I saw Bobby (Fong) behind me, and I just didn’t want to take any chances with him being there. So, I let him go by on the straight. I thought he was going by on the left, but he went by on the right. Then the last three laps I saw I had pace. So, I just wanted to get by with two to go and put my head down and see what I could, and we were able to get it done. I didn’t think this would ever happen. I thought I’d be finishing eighth or ninth today, for sure. I wanted to leave COTA by winning and win the championship by winning with Beaubier healthy there. I was able to do it today at a track that has never suited me on a Superbike. I believe this is my first Superbike win here when it wasn’t raining. It’s probably besides Barber the track that I have the least confidence at. So, for us to pull the win off here with the championship race is huge. To now have I think what should be a 62-point lead is crazy to me. Thank you to Loris (Baz) for honestly being the best teammate I’ve ever had, and for the team being the best team, and Joyce for always cooking us lunch and making sure that we’re taken care of, and Rachel for always taking care of crazy little Griffin whenever I’m at the races. I’m so happy that they were here to celebrate with us. Thank you to the whole Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati North America team. Ducati Corse, KYT helmets, Only Fans, Good Boy Vodka, GoPro, Alpinestars. The list goes on and on and on. Everybody that supports the team. Thank you so much. Thank you to MotoAmerica and everybody involved.”
Third Place – Loris Baz
“Well, at the beginning I was comfortable. I was trying to understand what were the grip conditions first time with the dry conditions. So, we went out, and, unfortunately, I had a bad start. I could see everyone struggling in entry a lot. Beaubier almost highsided, (Cameron) Petersen, (Xavi) Forés. I was like, ‘that’s something strange.’ I was trying to figure it out but then I wanted to be in the lead and try to not go too fast and too hard on the rear tire because I didn’t know what to expect from the tire life. That race went on quick, to be honest. Then I saw Josh (Herrin) coming by, and I was like, okay, now things change. I wanted to stay behind him and (Bobby) Fong, but Fong was really close to him. I was just trying not to think too much but at the same time thinking a lot. I could see him looking behind. I was like, ‘he’s just trying to think as much as me.’ But then four laps to the end, five laps to the end, I look behind and I never do that. I thought it was Beaubier, so I just tried. I know it’s not someone crazy that’s going to dive-bomb and make three guys crash, but I was like, let’s just try to give us a small gap to Fong so he doesn’t dive to go for Josh. The last few laps I pushed again just so I was not in a position to be attacked. I was not going to try anything crazy on Josh, to be honest. I’m so happy and so proud of him. I never thought I could be happy for a teammate winning a championship and kicking my ass like this all season, but I’m really happy and proud of him.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Petersen and Forés Score Top-10 Finishes at NJMP
Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen and Xavi Forés finish sixth and eighth, respectively, in Race 1 of the MotoAmerica Superbike season finale
MARIETTA, Ga. – September 29, 2024 – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Cameron Petersen finished sixth in MotoAmerica Superbike Race 1 at the New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) in Millville, New Jersey. In his second round with the team as a fill-in rider for Jake Gagne, Xavi Forés finished eighth.
Ever-changing weather at the final round of the season presented challenges for the teams and riders as they worked to come to grips with the new surface at the 2.25-mile track. Petersen qualified fifth in Friday afternoon’s mixed conditions and then topped the timesheets in Saturday morning’s qualifying, but it was Friday’s times in better conditions that set the grid. The sun came out for Race 1, and the South African got a great start from the second row, slotting into second behind his teammate and then passing him shortly after. The duo battled for the top spot, with Petersen leading three of the first four laps. As the race progressed, he was shuffled to fifth but continued to battle as multiple riders jockeyed for position, ultimately crossing the line sixth.
Forés qualified sixth in the tricky conditions and lined up next to his teammate on the second row. In just his second outing with the team aboard the Superbike, the Spaniard got a flying start to grab the holeshot. Although Petersen passed him shortly after, Forés reclaimed the lead on the following lap going into Turn 1 and was back in the runner-up spot on Lap 3. He tried to maintain a podium position but ultimately was shuffled to fifth. Forés kept fighting for a top-five result and would cross the line eighth.
The Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing team lines up again this afternoon at NJMP for the final MotoAmerica Superbike race of the 2024 season.
Richard Stanboli – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“We didn’t get much dry time, and our setup from last year did not work for the new pavement and harder tires. We will recalibrate for tomorrow.”
Cameron Petersen – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #45
“It’s been a super crazy weekend so far. The weather has been intermittent, and you don’t really know what you’re going to get. It dried up for the race, and we went into it with no dry track time, so we just kind of went in there blind. I got a great start and was able to lead the first couple of laps. Unfortunately we ran into some rear grip issues that hindered us from going with the front guys. It was a little bit disappointing, but we finished the day strong. Tomorrow, we’ll go get these guys.”
Xavi Forés – Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing #34
“It was a fun day, to be honest, especially the first part of the race when Cam and I were leading. Unfortunately, we faced some issues with rear grip and didn’t have the pace to stay up front. Cam and I have been struggling with this all weekend, but overall, it has been a way better weekend than COTA (Circuit of The Americas). I feel more competitive on the bike and have a better understanding of the bike and what I need to do to be more consistent. We’ll make a few changes for tomorrow and hopefully be able to fight for the top five and be close to the podium.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati takes the first AMA Ducati Superbike title in 30 years
Sunnyvale, Calif., September 29, 2024 — Josh Herrin wrote a significant piece of Ducati racing history today by clinching the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship title at New Jersey Motorsports Park. And, what’s more, he did it from the top set of the podium.
Herrin’s win in race one came after an intense 18-lap battle with Bobby Fong and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati teammate Loris Baz, Herrin working his way to the front in the final laps to record a 0.403s victory over Fong. Baz made it a double celebration for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team by taking the final podium position in third.
The result ensures Herrin has an unassailable 58-point lead heading into race two on Sunday, September 29, over Cameron Beaubier.
Herrin’s title is his fourth AMA national championship with the 2013 Superbike, 2016 Stock 1000, and 2022 Supersport victories, and his second title for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team. He now has the record for the longest time between his first and most recent Superbike title wins (11 years) thanks to his six race wins and 13 podiums in 2024, with nine of those podiums coming consecutively.
Herrin’s place in Ducati racing lore is now secure, having taken the company’s first AMA Supersport title in 2022 and its first Superbike crown in 30 years after the great Troy Corser triumphed in the 1994 AMA Superbike Championship on a Fast by Ferracci Ducati 888.
Loris Baz also should not be discounted from race one. The flying Frenchman took a tremendous pole position and led much of the race until Herrin and Fong passed at three-quarters race distance. Still, Baz held on for a celebratory third place, making it a double podium delight for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team.
2024 MotoAmerica New Jersey Motorsports Park Race One Results
1. Josh Herrin (Ducati)
2. Bobby Fong
3. Loris Baz (Ducati)
4. Cameron Beaubier
5. Richie Escalante
2024 MotoAmerica New Jersey Motorsports Championship points (after race one)
1. Josh Herrin (Ducati) 325
2. Cameron Beaubier 267
3. Bobby Fong 233
4. Sean Dylan Kelly 217
5. Loris Baz (Ducati) 208
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#2)
“The support I’ve got from everyone in this team, from Ducati North America, Ducati Corse, the DeNaples, Bobby Shek, how much effort they put in, and how tight we are as a unit, is really special,” Herrin said. “I’m not taking anything away from the teams I’ve been on in the past, but this group is really amazing.
“Without Ducati North America’s and Ducati Corse’s support, none of this would be possible. My crew chief, Simone, is amazing. We have great respect for each other. He’s been a huge part of my success over the last three years. Thank you to everyone who had anything to do with this project, and you can bet we’ll be back next year ready to go for another title.”
Loris Baz (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#76)
“A massive congratulations to Josh, that’s the day’s highlight,” Baz said. “We knew how big this weekend could be for the team, and I never thought I could be so happy for someone else who beat me!
“I have been learning a lot this year. That pole position means I’m back, but I need to improve my race pace more. I was here at the beginning of this project with the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team, and I know what it means for everyone. I’m so happy and proud of everyone.
“On my side, we made a big step and greatly improved from Austin. It isn’t easy to run two Superbikes, but we’ve grown a lot since Austin. Thanks to everybody, and we’ll come back fighting for the final race tomorrow.”
Bobby Shek (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Team Manager)
“It’s been such a great season,” Shek said. “In 2024, we’ve proven the Ducati has no bad tracks. Our worst rack traditionally was New Jersey, and now we’ve got two bikes on the podium and one on the top step, and I can’t wait to do it all again next year. Josh’s goal was to win the title from the top step, and he did that; it just shows what a champion he is.”
Jason Chinnock (Ducati North America CEO)
“Josh Herrin’s performance on the Panigale V4 R this season has been phenomenal, and his victory in the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship marks a historic moment for Ducati. It’s been 30 years since a Ducati rider earned the US national Superbike championship —a testament to the talent, dedication, and unwavering work ethic of Josh and the entire Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team. It’s exceptionally special to have Eraldo Ferracci contribute to the team’s spirit as we claim the #1 plate for Ducati again.
“This championship isn’t just a victory for Josh but a significant milestone for Ducati. Joining the roster of previous Ducati Superbike Champions, like Troy Corser and Doug Polen is an achievement that ushers in a new chapter in American superbike racing for years to come. We couldn’t be prouder of Josh, the team, along with the support from Ducati Corse. This victory fuels our passion for racing and commitment to the growth of Ducati in the US.”
The final race of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at New Jersey Motorsports Park will go green at 3:10 p.m. EDT on Sunday, September 29.
