Josh Hayes was the only rider during the 1st AMA Superbike qualifying session to drop below the 2'13 mark. Hayes claimed the provisional pole position today, beating out Blake Young and Tommy Hayden.
Hayes was able to keep the top spot on the time sheets despite a late session fall.
“I was on a really good lap,” Hayes said. “There's a pretty good bump out there. I hit the bump, the rear tire kicked out and my foot hit the shifter. I just couldn't stop it. Road out into the gravel and was lucky that I could keep it off its side. Came back inside and the boys told me that our lap was good to go.”
Hayes and the rest of the AMA Superbike riders battled a strong headwind throughout the first day at Road America. If the wind lets up this weekend, the Superbike riders could find a little bit more time on the track.
“Last year I don't think we got under 14s in the first day. But here we are about 3 tenths off of my fastest lap,” Hayes said. “The headwind was hurting me a it in a couple of spots. If it calms down, I think I'll be able to pick up the pace a little bit.”
Hayes has earned every pole position so far this year, and in a season that could very well come down to bonus points, every point matters.
“My strategy is pretty simple,” Hayes said. “I want to lead every lap and I want to win every race.
AMA Superbike Results - 1st Qualifying – Road America
- Hayes – 2'12.869
- Young 2'13.321
- T. Hayden – 2'13.462
- M Cardenas – 2'13.607
- Pegram – 2'14.660
- Peris – 2'14.660
- Bostrom – 2'15.046
- Clark – 2'15.279
- Hayen – 2'15.553
- Rapp 2'16.171
The AMA Superbike riders will hit the track tomorrow at 9:30 for their second qualifying session. The Superbike riders will have their first of two races tomorrow afternoon.
