Last weekend, the AMA Pro Road Racing series traveled to Mid-Ohio for the 6th round of the 2011 racing season. It was an action packed weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, as fans witnessed 7 different riders claim victory, a new lap record, multiple lead changes, and an historic manufacturer win.
On Friday morning, the AMA Superbike, Daytona Sportbike, and AMA Supersport riders took to the track for their first practice session. The Mid-Ohio track can be a little slippery in the morning before the sun burns off the dew, so the riders ended the free practice sessions eager to get back on a completely dry track.
Danny Eslick, Josh Hayes, and Dustin Dominguez would all take the provisional pole positions at Mid-Ohio, but only one of the riders would be able to hold on to take the front row of the grid during the second qualifying session.
Blake Young would end up with the pole position after the second qualifying session. It was the first time this season that the pole position didn't go to Josh Hayes.
Danny Eslick would also be bested in Q2. Eslick complained that he was feeling sick on Saturday morning, and decided to sit out of the second qualifying session, believing that his time from Q1 would stick. But Josh Herrin and Jason DiSalvo both found their way in front of Eslick, moving Danny back to the third spot on the grid.
James Rispoli would top the second qualifying session, but Rispoli was not able to better Dustin Dominguez' time from Q1.
The AMA Supersport riders kicked off the races at Mid-Ohio with a fantastic first race. James Rispoli and Dustin Dominguez battled at the beginning of the first race, but Dominguez was eventually able to pull away. Dominguez would claim the victory at Mid-Ohio, taking his first win of the season, and giving Triumph their first AMA win since 1999.
The Daytona Sportbike riders had a typical DSB race at Mid-Ohio. Five riders were in contention for the first place spot throughout the race. Danny Eslick lead the charge, but Dane Westby was able to sneak by at the checkers to take his first ever DSB victory.
For the Superbike riders, it was Blake Young who took victory and the points lead at Mid-Ohio. It was an emotional race for Young, who dedicated the victory to his father, who passed away five years ago to the day.
The XR1200 class is still pretty young, but the bikes and racers are improving at every event. Chris Fillmore, Steve Rapp, and Michael Barnes all lapped under Danny Eslick's lap record during the XR1200 qualifying session, with Fillmore taking the pole position with a 1'36.219 lap time.
Fillmore would be able to convert his pole position into a race win on Saturday as he cruised to a six second victory. Michael Beck took second place, while Kyle Wyman found the third spot on the podium by just .03 seconds ahead of Steve Rapp.
The second Supersport race started much like the first, with James Rispoli leading Dustin Dominguez around the Mid-Ohio track. But Dominguez would lose control of his Triumph during the second race, giving James a big lead at the front. Rispoli wouldn't be able to take advantage of the gap, however, as Hayden Gillim put on a fantastic charge for the front to take his first ever AMA Supersport win.
In the Daytona Sportbike series, we saw another fantastic battle between Danny Eslick and Josh Herrin. Herrin was able to get the best of Eslick during race 1, and he looked like he would be able to do the same during race 2. But a crucial mistake just feet from the finish line caused Herrin to drop from second to fifth. Eslick would take the win, and the points lead at Mid-Ohio.
The AMA Superbike race started with Blake Young and Josh Hayes leading up at front as usual. But Hayes ran down his tires early and couldn't maintain Young's pace. As Hayes dropped back to fourth, Tommy Hayden stepped up to challenge his teammate. Hayden would eventually got around Young to take his second win of the AMA Superbike season.
At the end of round 6, Blake Young leads the AMA Superbike standings with 290 points to Josh Hayes' 279. Danny Eslick leads the Daytona Sportbike series with 214 points to Josh Herrins 199. James Rispoli leads the AMA Supersport east division. And Chris Fillmore leads the XR1200 class with 167 points.
The next round of the AMA Pro Racing season will be at Laguna Seca on July 24th.
You can see more photos from the Mid-Ohio event here.
