Precision Track Days brings you the results of this weekend’s events.
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PJ Jacobsen won MotoAmerica Supersport Race Two Sunday at rainy Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia. Jacobsen took the lead on the opening lap, withstood pressure throughout the wet 15-lap race, and held on to take his second win of the weekend and of the season on his Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2.
Jacobsen’s teammate Corey Alexander had some bad luck with lapped traffic in the closing laps and had to settle for the runner-up position on his Roller Die + Forming Ducati.
Jake Lewis made up a lot of ground during the race and brought his Altus Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R750 home in third.
Mathew Scholtz put in another come-from-behind performance, taking his Strack Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 from 11th on the grid to fourth at the finish.
Alfonso Linares rounded out the top five finishers on his Zinc AL 32 Racing Ducati Panigale V2.
More, from a press release issued by Rahal Ducati Moto:
ROAD ATLANTA: RACE 2
SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2024 | RACE 2
The Rahal Ducati Moto team departs the Road Atlanta circuit with confidence after a dominating doubleheader at the 12-turn track. Today’s Race 2 ran under wet conditions and it was PJ Jacobsen who led the way for the Rahal Ducati Moto team, sweeping the opening weekend on his XPEL machine in a stellar performance. Finishing just behind Jacobsen in second was the Roller Die + Forming rider, Corey Alexander, providing the team a 1-2 finish in its second-ever race.
Kayla Yaakov showed incredible speed and quickly rode through the field to gain six positions to P6 and clock the quickest lap of the race at that time before ultimately high-siding, ending her weekend early. Despite the incident, the young rider proved she is a staple within the Rahal Ducati Moto team.
With the redeeming results coming out of the weekend and Jacobsen and Alexander sitting first and second in the championship standings, respectively, the entire RDM team looks forward to continuing its growth and improvements to become the most competitive team in the paddock.
Today’s race concludes race activity at Road Atlanta. The Rahal Ducati Moto Panigales will head back to Indianapolis to prepare for the next Supersport race. Rounds 3 and 4 of MotoAmerica competition will take place at the famed Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama, May 17 – 19.
Keep up with all things Rahal Ducati Moto by visiting RahalDucatiMoto.com and following our social media @rahalducatimoto.
PJ JACOBSEN
No. 15 XPEL DUCATI PANIGALE V2
STARTED: Third
FINISHED: First
CHAMPIONSHIP: First // 50 Points
NOTES: Clocked the second fastest lap of the race // Led each all 15 laps on his way to a monumental weekend sweep // Leads the championship standings by 17 points
WHAT HE’S SAYING: “I feel like it was a very fast race between the three of us on the podium, our pace was super fast. I got the W again today so it was a perfect weekend with both dry and wet conditions. I’m on a high right now, and I know there could be lows in the season, but the entire Rahal Ducati Moto team has done a great job. We have great sponsors supporting us with XPEL and Roller Die + Forming. Having Richie come on board and getting help from Bobby, Simone, and the Ducati Corse team has been a huge uplift for the entire team. We made a huge step this weekend with the right people behind us. It’s been a positive weekend for us all and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
COREY ALEXANDER
No. 23 ROLLER DIE DUCATI PANIGALE V2
STARTED: Fifth
FINISHED: Second
CHAMPIONSHIP: Second // 33 Pts.
NOTES: Recorded the fourth fastest lap of the race // Ran in second for all but four laps of the 15-lap event
WHAT HE’S SAYING: “When I heard rain this morning when I woke up I knew today could be a really good day for us. PJ, Kayla, and I are all really strong in the rain so I tried my hardest just to stay with PJ for the whole race and play my cards right at the end. Unfortunately, lapped traffic made it impossible to go for the win, but going 1-2 feels just as good for the Rahal Ducati Moto team and shows just how serious everyone involved is about being successful. I’m so happy with the turnaround from Daytona and thankful for everyone that’s made it possible. I’m even more excited for the rest of the season now.”
KAYLA YAAKOV
No. 19 XPEL DUCATI PANIGALE V2
STARTED: 12th
FINISHED: DNF
CHAMPIONSHIP: 13th // 7 Pts.
NOTES: Climbed six positions before high-siding on Lap 6 // Finished second on the time charts for the morning warm-up session ahead of Race 2
WHAT SHE’S SAYING: “Today wasn’t ideal. During the race I felt pretty strong, I was putting in a pretty good pace and was able to catch up to fifth place – I knew if I got by him, I would be able to get up to podium contention. I came out of Turn 5, lost the rear, and high-sided myself. We learned a lot at this event and are going into Barber with confidence, especially after our test there last weekend I’d like to put this weekend behind me and focus on pushing through and learning from my teammates and competitors in the Supersport class.”
GRAHAM RAHAL
TEAM OWNER
WHAT HE’S SAYING: “It was a fantastic weekend for our team. I really wish I could have been there to celebrate our first-ever win and the team’s dominating success this weekend. The results speak for themselves, we’re in this series to win, and we are determined to do that. This weekend is a testament to the hard work the team has put in to build confidence for our riders and crew and provide PJ, Corey, and Kayla with the equipment they need to get straight to work. I’m really looking forward to following along this season, capturing more wins, and eventually seeing these bikes on track in person later in the season. I’ve got to thank Richie and Ben for their determination on building this program to where it is. I’m super proud of the whole team.”
