AMA Superbike Report
Yamaha’s Ben Bostrom captured the provisional pole on Friday during qualifying for the National Guard American SuperBike class at the West Coast Moto Jam at Infineon Raceway.
Bostrom, a Redding native and graduate of Petaluma High School in the North Bay, turned the 12-turn, 2.28-mile road course at 1 minute, 36.108 seconds.
He was followed by Josh Hayes (Yamaha, 1:36.184) and Jake Holden (Suzuki, 1:36.646). AMA Pro Road Racing SuperBike points leader and San Francisco native Jake Zemke was seventh (Suzuki, 1:36.984).
Bostrom’s lone victory at Infineon Raceway came in SuperSport in 2008. He had two top-10 efforts in SuperBike in Sonoma last season, including runner-up to Mat Mladin. He is hopeful of taking the checkers this weekend at his home track.
Ben Bostom says: "The bike has been pretty good the last two rounds," said Bostrom, who is eighth in SuperBike points. "We tested here and the bike was good; the team is working in harmony. It’s fantastic. We were struggling this morning in practice, but we made a few subtle changes and the bike ran quite good.
"We put on a new tire for the end and it wasn’t a special lap, but it was just special enough. I’ve always been Mr. Second here. It would be special to win here on my home track."
Yamaha’s Tommy Aquino grabbed the top spot for Daytona SportBike, presented by AMSOIL, at 1:38.440.
Local rider Steve Rapp, who graduated from Acalanes High School in the East Bay, was second (1:38.921) with Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin (Yamaha) third at 1:39.155. Herrin entered the weekend as the Daytona SportBike points leader.
Tommy Aquino says: "I go faster by myself with no one around, even if I have to give up that draft of a person in front of me," said Aquino, who is seventh in SportBike points. "I just like going out there and putting down hot laps. It’s fun. The Yamaha works really good around this track; it’s a fun racetrack."
Roseville’s Cameron Beaubier topped the speed charts in SuperSport, turning the track at 1:40.355. He was followed by Vacaville’s Joey Pascarella (Ducati, 1:41.338) and Jake Gagne (Yamaha, 1:42.575). Discovery Bay’s Elena Myers, 16, was seventh-fast aboard her Suzuki (1:44.597).
Cameron Beaubier says: "At the beginning of the session we threw on some soft tires and it felt really good. …I think we’re all set for the race," Beaubier said. "This track is really fun. It’s nice to be so close to home so my friends and family can come and watch the racing. This is my third time on this track so I don’t have too much experience."
Action returns on Saturday at Infineon Raceway with main events scheduled in American SuperBike, Daytona SportBike and SuperSport.
There will also be main events in Supermoto USA, Flat Track and Motocross. Gates open at 8 a.m. For more information, visit www.infineonraceway.com.
