The first race of the AMA Superbike at New Jersey Motorsports Park was all set for a dramatic finish when red flags came down at the start of the final lap. Josh Hayes, who had been leading the race since lap 2, gave up the top spot to a charging Tommy Hayden on the first turn of the final lap. But moments after Hayden took the lead, red flags came down when Brett McCormick's bike hit the wall and landed on the middle of the track.
The red flag ended the race, and brought the positions back to the last completed lap, when Hayes still had the lead over Hayden.
The result was a disappointment for Hayden, not only because it takes crucial points away in the overall standings, but it also because it ruined a dramatic comeback. Hayden dropped down as far as fourth place during the race, and was more than two and a half seconds behind Hayden on lap 16. But Hayden put in lap after lap of fast times, and it looked inevitable that he would pass up Hayes on the final lap to steal the race win.
Would of, could of, should of, but Josh Hayes won the AMA Superbike race at NJMP, and extended his lead to 16 points over Hayden. If the positions would have been reversed, which they nearly were, Hayes would only be leading by 6 points. With just three races to go, those ten points could make all the difference.
But of course, Hayden was not guaranteed the race win if the red flag never fell, and there is no point dwelling on what could have been. If anything, Hayden will be even more charged for tomorrow's race, and will work to cut down on Hayes' growing lead.
Ben Bostrom, who was at the top of the sheets throughout the session, finished the podium in third.
AMA Superbike - New Jersey - Race 1 Results
1. Josh Hayes (Yam)
2. Tommy Hayden (Suz)
3. Ben Bostrom (Yam)
4. Blake Young (Suz)
5. John Hopkins (Suz)
6. Jake Zemke (Suz)
7. Larry Pegram (Duc)
8. Geoff May (Buell)
9. Taylor Knapp (Suz)
10. Chris Peris (BMW)
