AMA SBK Report
The Suzuki SuperBike Showdown at Road Atlanta was a set of productive motorcycle races for the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Team. Blake Young and his GSX-R1000 came away from Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, with the maximum amount of points possible after taking the pole, leading the most laps, and winning both races.
Blake’s teammate Tommy Hayden also had a solid weekend and took second and third respectively, furthering his run at the championship. Both gained valuable championship points on the current leader, Jake Zemke riding for the Michael Jordan SBK Team.
Blake started the weekend off right, earning the pole position by setting the fastest lap time in qualifying. He and his GSX-R1000 were on point all weekend.
Blake Young says: "My bike was just on it this weekend, right off the truck," Young said. "Everything just really worked for me, and I felt good on the track. I’ve been looking forward to Road Atlanta, and to get my first win…two of them…is just a great feeling."
Young led every lap of the race on Sunday, despite a heated battle with the second-place rider who couldn’t manage to overtake Blake and his Suzuki. Young led every lap on Saturday and earned that point, and he also earned the pole position point, and then earned the win. The GSX-R1000 had enough power to pull Blake through the straights and enough maneuverability to carve through the chicanes.
Tommy Hayden finished third on Sunday, making it a double podium weekend for him and his GSX-R1000. Hayden was consistent on the track, and his bike performed smoothly. He never allowed the riders behind him to catch up, holding tight to his position throughout the race. Hayden put in solid lap times throughout the 20-lap race.
Tommy Hayden says: "I just didn’t have enough to overtake the leaders today, but I’m happy for Blake and his win," Hayden said. "I made some changes coming into the race and hoped that I’d get up front, but I’ve earned some good points this weekend." Hayden is now only four points out of first place for the 2010 championship.
On Saturday, Young won after the AMA assessed a penalty to a rider who jumped the start. Hayden wound up second on Saturday, making it a double podium weekend for the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team.
2010 AMA American SuperBike Standings
1. Jake Zemke 145
2. Tommy Hayden 141
3. Blake Young 130
4. Josh Hayes 107
5. Larry Pegram 92
6. Chris Ulrich 76
7. Taylor Knapp 72
8. Ben Bostrom 70
9. John Hopkins 62
10. Aaron Yates 59
The next AMA American Superbike race takes place at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California on May 14-16.
