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JORDAN SUZUKI’S AARON YATES WINS AMA SUPERSTOCK FINALE
Yates and May Finish One-Two in Championship
Michael Jordan Motor Sports Suzuki rider Aaron Yates wins the AMA Superstock race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the AMA Superbike championship season finale. Yates, who started from the pole position, broke a track record when he qualified his Suzuki GSX-R1000 at 1:24.525.
Yates, who has already clinched the 2008 AMA Superstock Championship, earned his 18th Superstock win, surpassing former Jordan Suzuki rider Jason Pridmore, as the second winningest rider in class history. This is Yates’ fifth win and tenth podium finish in Superstock racing action during the 2008 race season. “I want to thank my crew,” Yates said. “They all work really hard and I’m glad I could bring it home for them.”
Teammate Geoff May, who qualified at 1:25.117, earned a third place start on the front row. May’s strong podium finish in today’s 15 lap red-flagged event moved him into second place in the AMA Superstock Championship, giving the Jordan Suzuki team a one-two finish in the overall Championship. “I went into the event with a good attitude, wanting to do my best,” said May. “I rode my Suzuki GSX-R1000 as hard as I could.” This is May’s fifth podium finish (two wins and three thirds), including his first AMA National win for the Jordan Suzuki team.
In today’s 28 lap AMA Superbike event, Yates qualified at a time of 1:24:505 and started from the second row in eighth place. Yates ran hard in third place for 18 laps, but finished in fourth place after his foot peg broke with two laps remaining. Teammate Geoff May did not start today’s event, choosing to conserve energy for the Superstock event, which immediately followed the Superbike race. Yates and May finished the 2008 Superbike season in ninth and 10th places, respectively, in the overall championship points.
This was the last weekend of AMA Superbike road racing, concluding the 10 race Superstock series. AMA road racing resumes March 4-6, 2009 at Daytona International Speedway.
For more information visit www.23race.com and to learn more about the weekend’s events, visit www.laguna-seca.com.
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