Jason DiSalvo had his hands wrapped tightly around the first pole position of the 2011 AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike series, but a last minute lap by Jake Zemke pried it from his hands. Zemke claimed the first pole position of the season today, as well as a rolex watch.
Zemke earned his first Daytona Rolex pole position today by setting the only lap under the 1'50 mark.
"It's nice to get that watch," Zemke said. "It's something that I've wanted for a long time, but the race, that's what's really important."
DiSalvo held onto the top spot on the time sheet for the majority of the qualifying session, but lost out to Zemke on a final lap effort.
"It feels good to be on pace," DiSalvo said. "Last year I was on the bottom of the speed charts, and this year it seems like I'll be toward the top. So it feels pretty good.
"Maybe I can make Danny (Eslick) an offer to buy his watch. Seems like its the only way I'm going to get one of those things."
Danny Eslick, who won the rolex pole position last year, took the third place spot behind Zemke.
The final man on the front row will be JD Beach, who is making his Sportbike debut this weekend.
"I was up here last year in the "kids class" as everyone calls it," Beach said. "And it's great to be up here now. I feel like an amateur because I look up to these guys so much."
Eric Bostrom, Jake Holden, Cory West, and Josh Herrin will make up the second row.
AMA Daytona Sportbike – Qualifying Results – Daytona
- Jake Zemke
- Jason DiSalvo
- Danny Eslick
- JD Beach
- Eric Bostrom
- Jake Holden
- Cory West
- Josh Herrin
- PJ Jacobsen
- Dane Westby
