AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike Auto Club Speedway Fontana, California March 27, 2010 Provisional Race Results (all on Dunlop tires): 1. Martin Cardenas (Suz GSX-R600), 21 laps 2. Danny Eslick (Suz GSX-R600), -0.679 second 3. Dane Westby (Yam YZF-R6), -0.702 4. Josh Herrin (Yam YZF-R6), -1.190 seconds 5. Cory West (Suz GSX-R600), -12.511 6. Tommy Aquino (Yam YZF-R6), -15.999 7. Steve Rapp (Duc 848), -16.413 8. Chris Fillmore (Suz GSX-R600), -26.476 9. Bobby Fong (Duc 848), -26.507 10. Clinton Seller (Yam YZF-R6), -39.440 11. Shawn Higbee (Yam YZF-R6), -44.019 12. Tyler Odom (Hon CBR600RR), -58.588 13. Lenny Hale (Yam YZF-R6), -72.564 14. Fernando Amantini (Kaw ZX-6R), -72.838 15. Mark Crozier (Duc 848), -79.960 16. Sebastiao Ferreira (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap 17. Jay Ruess (Kaw ZX-6R), -1 lap, 22.667 seconds 18. Terry Heard (Kaw ZX-6R), -1 lap, 68.245 19. Nadr Riad (Yam YZF-R6), -2 laps 20. Jeremy Simmons (Yam YZF-R6), -2 laps, 82.315 21. Chase McFarland (Buell 1125R), -4 laps 22. Matthew Presting (Yam YZF-R6), -10 laps 23. J.C. Gibbs (Yam YZF-R6), -21 laps, DNF 24. Clinton Gibson (Kaw ZX-6R), DNS 25. Santiago Villa (Suz GSX-R600), DNS More, from a press release issued by Team M4 Monster Energy Suzuki: CARDENAS AND TEAM M4 MONSTER ENERGY SUZUKI WIN AT FONTANA Team M4 Monster Energy Suzuki’s Martin Cardenas claimed a spectacular victory on Saturday at Auto Club Speedway, coming out on top of an intense AMA Pro Daytona SportBike battle. Cardenas rebounded from a less-than-ideal start, clawing his way up through the pack aboard his GSX-R600 after getting away in seventh position. By lap six of 21 the Colombian had closed in on the lead group and spent the remainder of the contest embroiled in the tight fight for the win. The former Spanish Supersport champ sliced his way from third to first in an instant on lap 12 and crossed the stripe first every lap thereafter despite an epic struggle for the position. Consistently strong on the brakes at the end of the back straight and coming onto the front straight, Cardenas bounced back from his Daytona 200 disappointment to win the season’s second race by 0.679 seconds at the checkered flag. “It is very gratifying to come back like this,” Cardenas said. “It was exactly what I wanted to do but I knew it would be very difficult because there were five or six other riders who were very fast. It was a great race. “I got an okay start but I had a hard time working my way up and was afraid the leaders might get away. I put my head down and pushed as hard as I could and once I got up there I stayed with the leaders for the rest of the way and we passed a lot of times. “The last eight laps or so I got the lead and tried to push hard and hoped to get a bit of a gap but it wasn’t possible. The guys were riding very fast and I was having trouble with the first chicane as I was suffering from a little bit of arm pump. It was a great battle and my bike was awesome. I want to thank my crew and all of our sponsors.” Team M4 Monster Energy Suzuki’s American Superbike pilots John Hopkins and Chris Ulrich scored a pair of solid results for the team on Saturday as well. Like Cardenas, Hopkins was out for redemption following a difficult Daytona and was right in the mix of a multi-rider pack battling at the front over the race’s opening laps. Once things settled down, the former GP ace found himself locked in a scrap for sixth but fell just 0.004 short at the flag, claiming seventh position at the conclusion of the 21-lap affair. Meanwhile, Ulrich picked up another top ten result on his Monster Energy-backed Suzuki GSX-R1000. The Californian came home in ninth after putting in a spirited challenge for eighth. Team M4 Monster Energy Suzuki will be back in action on Sunday looking to add to their weekend trophy haul in the second half of the Auto Club Speedway Daytona SportBike and American Superbike doubleheaders. More, from a press release issued by Roadracingworld.com Suzuki: VILLA RE-INJURED AT FONTANA Roadracingworld.com Suzuki’s Santiago Villa re-injured his left collarbone during the opening practice session at Auto Club Speedway on Friday. Despite his best efforts, the Colombian racer will not be able to participate in this weekend’s AMA Pro Road Racing action in Fontana, CA. Villa, who injured his shoulder prior to the Daytona season opener during at CCS event at Homestead Miami Speedway when another rider collided with him and caused him to highside, suffered this weekend’s injury without ever hitting the ground. The screws on his plated collarbone came loose and he re-broke the bone and suffered an additional break while wrenching his GSX-R600 through the Turn 1 chicane. “I was feeling okay recently — I was even doing some practice in my country — but the change of direction at this track is very hard,” Villa explained. “I started feeling a little bit of pain during the first session. Then in the last lap of practice, when I took Turn 1 and I went to change direction, I felt something pop inside and I couldn’t even ride the bike anymore. I came into the pits and told them that something was really wrong, maybe a muscle or something. “I wanted to race. I tried to qualify yesterday but I couldn’t even get out of the garage, it was too painful. I went to the hospital and they did an x-ray and apparently the screws came loose and re-broke the collarbone and broke it in another place. “I went to Dr. (Thomas) Bryan, Mat Mladin’s doctor, and he saw me and said it wasn’t possible for me to race at least for six weeks. Apparently I will miss some races and it’s a real shame because I was really looking forward to this season. But it is what it is.” Villa is scheduled to undergo surgery on Monday in the US but is determined to battle his way back from injury stronger than ever yet again. More, from a press release issued by Vesrah Suzuki: VESRAH SUZUKI RIDERS FINISH AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY DAYTONA SPORTBIKE RACE 1 WITH TOP 8 POSITIONS. With more than only the 10 days that were available to complete the team’s race bikes before the season opener, Vesrah Suzuki was able to better prepare the Suzuki GSX-R 600’s for Round 2 at Auto Club Speedway. Chris Fillmore has joined the team riding the #55 Vesrah Suzuki and quickly adapted to the team’s machines qualifying in 10th position. Cory West on the # 57 Vesrah Suzuki qualified in 7th position while working on setting up his bike for the harder Dunlop tires available for this weekend. With a frustrating start to the race day on Saturday morning with high winds halting activity on track and not allowing the team to further refine the setup on both riders bikes, the Daytona Sportbike race was finally flagged off late in the afternoon with Cory jumping from the 2nd row to take 2nd place on the first lap. Chris got off the line well but was run wide and was outside the top 10 during the beginning of the race. Cory fought in the top 5 for the entire race and lost touch at the end of the race bringing home the #57 Vesrah Suzuki in 5th place. Chris fought his way back into the top 10 and made a great pass to take 8th place on the lat lap. Mark Junge Team Owner Vesrah Suzuki “With the shortened time on track today I am pleased with both of my riders securing top 8 finishes. Cory battling in the top 5 competitively while still learning the new tires pleases me. Chris coming on board and getting 8th with learning a new motorcycle and team is an outstanding finish and look forward to seeing him move to the front as the year continues.” Cory West #57 Vesrah Suzuki “After a very short rough morning session, we came thru with a great finish in today’s race. I got an awesome start from the second row and almost took the lead in turn three. I ran in second for a few laps and then had a good battle for fourth. I felt stronger in places but lost touch after getting stuck behind a lapper for a few corners. We are going to do some homework tonight to make sure I am able to stay with the leaders for tomorrow’s race. I have to thank my mechanics, Tony and Bruce, for working so hard to have my bike prepared for the race. I’m going to do the best I can to put my Vesrah Suzuki up front tomorrow.” Chris Fillmore – #55 Vesrah Suzuki “Switching to a new brand of motorcycle and getting comfortable in order to be able to push took a little bit of time and the fact that I have not ridden since NJMP last year did not help. The Vesrah Suzuki team has been great about getting me what I need in order to be able to go faster. We have figured some things out and my goal for tomorrow is to start quicker and try to hang with the top 5 group.” Vesrah Suzuki wants to thank all of their sponsors for their support for the 2010 season Vesrah, American Suzuki, Rockstar Energy Drink, Nielsen Enterprises Suzuki, Waterbridge Investments, Traxxion Dynamics Fork Components, Dainese Leathers, Boots and Gloves, AGV Helmets, Graves Motorsports, Hotbodies Racing Bodywork, Sudco Int., Bazzaz, Factory Pro, Maxima Racing Oils, Vortex, DID Chain, Penske Racing Shocks, GPR Stabilizers, Trek Bicycles, GP Tech, Active & Road Rage Designs More, from a press release issued by Auto Club Speedway: PEGRAM, CARDENAS AND PASCARELLA CAPTURE SATURDAY VICTORIES AT SUZUKI SUPERBIKE CHALLENGE AT AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY San Bernardino County, Calif. (March 27, 2010) After a blustery morning which delayed the start of track activities by one and a half hours, racing for the day began and ended with a flurry as Larry Pegram, Martin Cardenas and Joey Pascarella all brought home victories in the Suzuki AMA SuperBike Challenge at Auto Club Speedway Saturday. Pegram, who crashed early in the race in 2009, earned his AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike win after trailing for most of the 21-lap event. He took over the race lead from series points leader Jake Zemke with two laps to go. On his Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing Ducati 1098R, Pegram earned the win for his family racing team. Pegram rode the lone Ducati in a field filled with Suzukis and Yamahas. The winning race time was 29:56.178 and the margin of victory a mere 0.094 seconds. “My Foremost Ducati was so good,” said Pegram. “I could tell the sound (of his bike behind him) was bothering Jake (Zemke) so I just wanted to get in front of him so it wouldn’t bother him anymore. The wind was a factor with it blowing out there. It was hairy at times. I need to take my hat off to our crew. Our crew is a small, family run team. They work so hard to beat Factory Yamaha and Factory Suzuki.” Series leader Zemke led most of the race on his National Guard Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000, but wasn’t able to hold off Pegram’s late charge. Top qualifier and Zemke’s teammate Aaron Yates finished third on his Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000. In the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike class, Cardenas riding his M4 Monster Energy Suzuki GSX-R600 brought home his first Auto Club Speedway victory, all the while in a heavy riding battle with Danny Eslick, who won both races here in 2009. Cardenas lead the most laps (10) but only after being out of the top five for much of the early going. Eslick made a last ditch effort at the beginning of the last lap, but Cardenas closed the door throughout the 21-turn, 2.36-mile road course. “We all three had a great battle,” said Cardenas. “All the race we were battling; me, Danny and Dane (Westby). I thought on the second lap Danny was going to go away, and was behind Steve Rapp and finding it difficult to pass him. As soon as I was able to pass him, I pushed really hard and connect with the lead group. From then on I battled to the end.” Rounding out the top three were Eslick on his GEICO Powersports/RMR/Suzuki GSX-R600 and Dane Westby riding the Project 1 Atlanta Yamaha YZF-R6. Cardenas’ winning time was 30:55.549, edging Eslick by 0.679 seconds. The SuperSport class was dominated by Joey Pascarella. Starting from the number one position Pascarella on a Yamaha YZF-R6 took the lead and never looked back as he rode to the win. His 13.209 second margin of victory was indicative of the whole race when he led by over 12 or more seconds. His winning time was 25:52.610. Running second was Scott Gilbert on a Yamaha YZF-R6 and Huntley Nash on a Yamaha YZF-R6. “I got out front early, squished the first couple of laps and was really smart from there,” said Pascarella. “I can’t doubt anybody and people can always get faster. Hopefully, tomorrow I can get my second.” The Suzuki AMA Pro SuperBike Challenge will be back at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday with opening ceremonies starting at 12:30 p.m. Top 10 results of Saturday’s qualifying in all three classes show finishing position, name, motorcycle and time completed around the 2.36-mile, 21- turn road course: AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike: 1. Larry Pegram (Ducati 1098R), 1:25:053; 2. Jake Zemke Suzuki (GSX-R1000), 3. Aaron Yates (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:25.068; 4. Josh Hayes (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:24.862; 5. Blake Young (Suzuki GSX-1000R), 1:25.925; 6. Tommy Hayden (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:25.221; 7. John Hopkins (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:25.268; 8. Ben Bostrom (Yamaha YZF-R1), 1:25.965; 9. Chris Ulrich (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 1:26.430; 10. David Anthony (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 1:26.456. AMA Pro Daytona SportBike: 1. Martin Cardenas (Suzuki GSX-R600), 1:27.450; 2. Danny Eslick (Suzuki GSX-R600), 1:27.804; 3. Dane Westby (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:27.610; 4. Josh Herrin (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:27.663; 5. Cory West (Suzuki GSX-R600), 1:28.292; 6. Tommy Aquino (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:28.547; 7. Steve Rapp (Ducati 848), 1:28.029; 8. Chris Fillmore (Suzuki GSX-R600), 1:28.768; 9. Bobby Fong (Ducati 848), 1:28.959; 10. Clinton Seller (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:28.744. AMA SuperSport: 1. Joey Pascarella (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:30.438; 2. Scott Gilbert (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:31.197; 3. Huntley Nash (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:31.678; 4. Tyler O’Hara (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:33.455; 5. Eric Stump (Honda CBR600RR), 1:34.842; 6. Chris Sromalla (Suzuki GSX-R600), 1:34.663; 7. Michael Corbina (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:34.795; 8. Robert Tinagero (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:35.273; 9. Paul-Michael Patterson (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:36.172; 10. Bruce Bleecker (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:37.719.