Mat Mladin is unstoppable so far this season, but Sonoma is Ben Bostrom's home track.
Riders Mat Mladin and Jamie Hacking enter the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts, at Infineon Raceway, May 15-17, atop the AMA Pro Road Racing point standings
Mladin (Rockstar Makita Suzuki) has been perfect in 2009, winning the first seven American Superbike features of the season, including a sweep this past weekend at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. The Australian native has tied the AMA Superbike record for consecutive single-season wins, and has 79 Superbike wins for his career.
However, the six-time AMA Superbike champion should be tested in the Sonoma Valley by Petaluma High School graduate Ben Bostrom (Yamaha), who set the fast-time in a two-day test at Infineon Raceway in April. Mladin has eight career Superbike wins in Sonoma, a track record.
“We’re coming to Sonoma to win,” said Bostrom, who was third in both Superbike features at Barber. “That’s what we want to do. We don’t want to race for second place.”
"I've had seven in a row, and obviously nobody has had any more than seven before so we'll see if we can go to Infineon and get another one," said Mladin.
Mladin enters Sonoma with 220 points, 77 better than teammate Tommy Hayden (143), with National Guard Jordan Suzuki’s Geoff May third (122). Corona Extra Honda’s Neil Hodgson is expected to return to action in Sonoma after missing Barber with an injury.
A sweep at Barber could mean that Martin Cardenas has the momentum to overtake SportBike points leader Hacking.
M4 Suzuki’s Martin Cardenas enters Sonoma with the momentum in the AMA’s other premier class, Daytona SportBike. He swept the doubleheader at Barber this past weekend. Hacking (Attack Kawasaki) took second place in the second feature and comes to Infineon Raceway atop the points standings (146). Buell’s Danny Eslick is second (143) and Cardenas third (142).
Hacking has been extremely strong in the Sonoma Valley with three career victories, most recently in 2006 (Superstock).
Vacaville’s Joey Pascarella continues to lead the SuperSport class after taking fifth at Barber. He has 62 points, with Leandro Mercado second (49).
The race weekend will also feature a full slate of Supermoto action, including the second round of the AMA Supermoto XTRM National Championships on Sunday, May 17. Supermoto USA will take to the track on Friday and Saturday of race weekend for the fourth straight year. There will also be street freestyle competition in the Turn 10 island by SBFreaks Street Freestyle. Star stunt rider Jason Britton will also take part in two special performances.
For tickets to the weekend, call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com.
Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown
WHAT: Big O Tires Racing Season Presents: Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts
WHEN: May 15-17
CIRCUIT: 12-turn, 2.22-mile road course
NOTABLE: The weekend will also feature three days of Supermoto racing, with Supermoto USA running on Friday and Saturday, and the AMA Supermoto XTRM Championship Series on Sunday. There will also be SBFreaks Street Freestyle all weekend.
TICKETS: $15-$35 single day/$60 weekend; 12-and-under FREE and parking FREE.
INFORMATION: 800-870-RACE,
www.infineonraceway.com
