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2011 AMA SportBike
GEICO Suzuki rider Danny Eslick arrived at the Honda Supercycle Weekend at Mid-Ohio riding high after recently assuming the points lead in the cutthroat AMA Daytona SportBike class.
The 2009 AMA SportBike class champion then rode that wave of momentum to a solid third-place finish Saturday afternoon in the first of two races taking place this weekend. It was Eslick’s sixth podium finish of the season.
Danny Eslick (GEICO Suzuki GSX-R600 SportBike) says: "I knew it was going to be hot and that was going to be an issue so when we started I just fell into third and waited for the opportunity to make my move. I did that when I had the chance and I was hoping to kind of get away from the pack but it didn’t happen. We were all so close the whole race."
Eslick and three other riders fell into a terrific back-and-forth battle for the lead during the last handful of circuits, making Saturday’s race one of the most exciting of the 2011 season.
Danny Eslick says: "With three or four laps to go here all of a sudden Dane (Westby) came up beside me. I had no idea he was even that close to the front. We were going back and forth the last couple laps and it was just as exciting to race as it was to watch, I’m sure."
The 2009 AMA SportBike class champ lead most of the way but with just a few turns to go, Westby and Josh Herrin were able to slingshot past him. Although Eslick was hoping to add another win to his 2011 season, he was happy that Westby was the one to win the race.
Danny Eslick says: "I’m so happy for Dane. He’s been working hard and has been well deserving of a win for a while now. I remember my first win a few years back and it’s a feeling he’ll never forget."
Unfortunately for Eslick, he was not able to maintain his points lead. With Herrin’s second-place finish, he pulled even in the points, but due to Herrin having four wins and Eslick one, Herrin is now the official leader.
The second Daytona SportBike race of the weekend starts at 2:15 p.m. EDT on Sunday.
