The first Daytona Sportbike race at Road America this weekend came down to the final lap. Josh Herrin, PJ Jacobsen, and Cameron Beaubier battled for the top spot throughout the second half of the race, but Herrin was able to pull away with a half lap left to claim his second consecutive victory.
But there was one major player absent from the first race. Jason DiSalvo ended his race in the dirt and had to watch Herrin cross the checkers from the pits. DiSalvo’s bad luck continued as the Ducati rider crashed during the morning warm-up session.
The Daytona Sportbike riders will hit the track at 2:15 today. All About Bikes will have live updates throughout the race. (Hit refresh to get the latest information.)
You can check out the race 1 report here.
The Daytona Sportbike riders have just taken off on their sighting lap. The race will start shortly.
The Daytona Sportbike Grid at Road America.
- Row 1: Dialvo - Herrin - Jacobsem - Eslick
- Row 2: Beaubier - Wetby - Awuino - West
- Row 3: Knapp - Holden - Odom - Villa
And they're off!
Herrin jumps off the line to take the early lead into turn one. DiSalvo takes back the lead before the Johnsonville Bridge.
DiSalvo crosses the line first, but is quickly passed by Herrin.
The final stretch at Road America has been the site of many lead changes throughout the weekend.
DiSalvo recaptures the lead, but Jacobsen dips down on the inside and now leads the Daytona Sportbike riders by three bike lengths.
DiSalvo is down! DiSalvo tumbles through the infield.
DiSalvo crashed out of race one and took a tumble during the warm-up session this morning. This is DiSalvo's third crash in 24-hours.
Jacobsen leads the way across the line, he's quickly followed by Herrin and Eslick
Jacobsen maintains the lead, but Eslick and Herrin are close behind.
There is a red flag. The race will be stopped, most likely for DiSalvo.
The Daytona Sportbike riders are back in the pits.
The riders are still in the pits as the track is cleaned up. Taylor Knapp's Suzuki was stalled on the side of the track, and has just been removed by a pickup track.
The Daytona Sportbike riders should be back on the track shortly.
The DSB riders are back on the track. They'll be resetting on the grid in just a moment.
The new grid.
- Jacobsen - Herrin - Eslick - Beaubier
- Westby - West - Aquino - Odom
- Amantini - Nash - Ohara - Vila
The DSB will be starting on lap 2 for the restart.
And they're off! Jacobsen leads the way around the track, followed by Herrin and Eslick.
There is another red flag. There must be fluid on the track. The Daytona Sportbike riders are on their way back to the pits.
James Farrell has withdrawn from the race. Farrell brought his bike back to the pits in one piece, but will not be restarting.
The horn has sounded. The Daytona Sportbike riders will take another sighting lap before they re-grid.
Holden, DiSalvo, and Farrell are all out of the race.
And they're Off!. Again.
Jacobsen leads the way in front of Herrin, Westb, and Eslick.
Beaubier runs wide and has to use the run-off. Beaubier drops from 3rd to 6th.
Jacobsen holds the lead. Jacobseon crosses the line with .3 seconds ahead of Herrin. But Herring charges down the straight and they go into turn one side by side.
Herrin and Jacobsen are running nearly wheel to wheel. Eslick, West, and Aquino are all close behind.
Jacobsen crosses the line first, but Herrin takes the lead at turn 1. Jacobsen takes it right back at turn 3.
Lap 4: Jacobsen - Herrin - West - Eslick - Aquino - Westby - Beabier - Odom - Amantini - Nash
Jacobsen crosses the line first, but he has four riders riding within a half second of him!
They ride five ride across the line. West has taken the lead, but is quickly passed by Westby. The DSB riders fall back into a single file line. Westby, West, Herrin, Jacobsen, and Eslick.
Lap 7: Eslick - Westby - Herrin - West - Jacobsen
Eslick leads the pack by two bike lengths. Behind Eslick, Herrin and Estby are riding wheel to wheel.
Herrin drafts Eslick and speeds by to take the lead. Westby also made the pass down the stretch, dropping Eslick down to third.
Lap 8: The top DSB riders are lapping in the high 2'21s. There is a bunch of 6 riders at the front, with riders only capable of holding the lead for a few turns.
West crosses the line in fourth, but drafts passed to take the lead on turn 1. West, Jacobsem, Westby, Herrin.
Beaubier sets the fastest lap of the race and moves himself up into fourth place.
JACOBSEN IS OUT! Jacobsen pulls his bike to the side of the track. Jacobsen was running in the top five when he suffered a mechanical error.
We're coming down to the final laps. Herrin currently has the lead, but Westby, West, or Eslick could take it at any moment.
Eslick tries to pass on the outside but runs wide and drops down 5th.
Herrin leads them over the hill. Westby takes the lead at turn 1.
We've got one lap to go.
Herrin, Westby, and Eslick are all riding side by side.
It looks like we'll have a final stretch showdown between Eslick Herrin and Westby.
Eslick will lead over the hill. Can he fight off a last second pass by Herrin.
Herrin charges, passes Eslick for the Win!
Herrin and the rest of the leaders to a few wheelies down the track, then celebrate with a burnout.
AMA Daytona Sportbike Results
- Herrin
- Eslick
- Westby
- Aquino
- West
Full race report to follow.
