Blake Young took home 7 AMA Superbike wins this season, but none were as dramatic as the season finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Young, Josh Hayes, Ben Bostrom, Roger Hayden, and Tommy Hayden put on a show today for the fans at NJMP, which ended with a race win for Young and a championship for Hayes.
"Blake rode like a true champion today," Hayes said as he accepted the number one place for the second year in a row. "That was the dirtiest race I've ever ridden in. That was incredible."
With Young taking the win, Hayes needed to finish on the podium to claim the championship. Tommy Hayden and the two Michael Jordan Motorsports boys, Bostrom and Roger Hayden, made it extremely difficult for the defending champ.
But Tommy Hayden crashed out with a few laps remaining, which gave Hayes a little more breathing room. Hayes was surrounded, however, by two MJM Suzukis, which was not a place that Hayes wanted to be.
"I tell you, there is nothing scarier than needing a third place finish and having Ben Bostrom right behind you," Hayes said.
Bostrom would eventually bring his bike into the dirt as Young, Hayden, and Hayes battled for the last remaining spots on the podium. Hayes would get the best of Roger on the last half lap and nearly caught Young at the finish line.
"I'm disappointed, but I'm happy," said Young after the race. "This team knows how to win a championship and I know I can do it. I'm young and I'm still learning. I promise that we'll be back next year, and we'll be even stronger."
