2011 AMA SuperBike Daytona Race 1 Results

Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Blake Young drew first blood in the 2011 American SuperBike series. Young claimed victory at the Daytona opener ahead of teammate, Tommy Hayden, and Team Graves Yamaha’s, Josh Hayes.
 
Hayes, the defending champion, seized an excellent start from pole position ahead of Young and the two Hayden brothers, Tommy and Jordan Suzuki rider Roger. M4 Suzuki’s Martin Cardenas and Jordan Suzuki’s Ben Bostrom occupied fifth and sixth respectively while Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing BMW's Larry Pegram had a poor start outside the top-10. By Lap 4 Hayes was slightly extending his lead ahead of Young while Pegram quickly moved up to eighth, passing Pat Clark Motorsports’ Chris Clark and M4 Suzuki’s Chris Ulrich in the process. It was a bad day for Erik Buell Racing’s Geoff May, who had to call it quits after four laps due to a mechanical failure. Meanwhile, Ben Bostrom and Roger Hayden led a spirited battle for fourth as the top-three riders became entrenched in a three-way fight for the lead.
 
On Lap 9 Young made a pass ahead of Hayes for the lead. Just behind Young, Tommy Hayden overtook Hayes for second in the order on Lap 10 as Bostrom continued his defense ahead of Roger for fourth. Positions continued to be traded as Hayes fought his way back inside the top-two the following lap. With just three laps left and 0.309 seconds separating the top-four riders, Hayes reclaimed the lead ahead of Young and Hayden.

On the penultimate lap Hayden wedged himself at the top of the order once again, but it proved to be the perfect setup for Young. Near the final lap Young rocketed into the lead. As the quartet approached the checkers, Young managed to hold the position.

"I came out of the chicane on the last lap and thought to myself, ‘I really lost this thing’ because I thought Josh was far out enough to give Tommy a really good tow," said Young. "Tommy rode really good…. I tried to come around but it was really surprising—a big gust of wind hit the front to of my bike like a wall, but when I gave way a little bit it seemed like bike started going forward again, and I won."

Hayden held on for second just 0.026 seconds behind, making it a great day for Rockstar Makita Suzuki by going 1-2.

"Obviously it’s a good solid start to the season, a lot better than starting on the ground or a DNF, but when you’re right there and you feel like you have a good chance, it’s frustrating to lose a close one," said Hayden. "But like I said, the bike was good, I was in a good position, and it could have easily went either way."

Hayes managed third across the line in the first race with Bostrom just missing the podium in fourth. Roger Hayden had a solid return to the AMA after finishing in the top-five.

“I got to the front, but I don’t know how much of a gap I ever had at any time," said Hayes. "It’s just really hard to put together perfect laps, and I knew if I didn’t do that, these guys as a group were going to run me back down. I probably got a little complacent because I made it from the chicane to the start-finish line so many times."
 
Ben Bostrom’s younger brother, Eric, had a rocky start aboard Kawasaki’s reengineered ZX-10 with a DNF in the first race.

2011 American SuperBike Daytona Race 1 Results:
1. Blake Young (Suzuki)
2. Tommy Hayden (Suzuki)
3. Josh Hayes (Yamaha)
4. Ben Bostrom (Suzuki)
5. Roger Hayden (Suzuki)
6. Martin Cardenas (Suzuki)
7. Larry Pegram (BMW)
8. Jeremy Toye (BMW)
9. Chris Ulrich (Suzuki)
10. David Anthony (Suzuki)
11. Chris Clark (Yamaha)
12. Shane Narbonne (Suzuki)
13. Eric Haugo (Suzuki)
14. Jordan Burgess (Suzuki)
15. Eric Pinson (BMW)
 
2011 American SuperBike Championship Points:
1. Blake Young, 30
2. Tommy Hayden, 25
3. Josh Hayes, 23
4. Ben Bostrom, 18
5. Roger Hayden, 16
6. Martin Cardenas, 15
7. Larry Pegram, 14
8. Jeremy Toye, 13
9. Chris Ulrich, 12
10. David Anthony, 11