Hayes Gets His Second

Henny Ray Abrams | August 14, 2009

Yamaha’s Josh Hayes earned his second Superpole of the season by clocking the fastest lap among the 10 American Superbike riders at Virginia International Raceway.Starting last, by virtue of topping first qualifying, Hayes was shooting for the mark of 1:25.103 set minutes early by Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Mat Mladin. Hayes bested the mark, but not by much; the difference was .089 of a second.Still, it gave him a second pole to go along with the first one he earned at Mid-Ohio four weeks ago.”I did a clean lap and it was enough to nip Mat [Mladin] by just a small margin, but since we pulled the bike out of the truck we’ve been pretty fortunate that it’s gone around the racetrack well and I’m having a lot of fun riding. It’s been a good race track for me,” Hayes said.Mladin started second to last and finished second, putting him second on the grid for the weekend’s two races. The six-time AMA Superbike Champion could clinch his seventh crown if he finishes Saturday’s race with a 93-point lead. His lead sits at 83 over teammate Tommy Hayden with four races to go.Filling out the front row are the Jordan Suzuki teammates Geoff May (National Guard Jordan Suzuki) and Aaron Yates.Foremost Insurance Pegram Racing’s Larry Pegram followed up his double win in Topeka with a fifth in Superpole, and the second row pole position.Corona Extra Honda’s Neil Hodgson overcame the discomfort of his still recovering right shoulder to qualify sixth. He’ll be joined on row two by Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Blake Young and Jeff Wood (Suz).

Superpole:

1. Josh Hayes (Yam) 1:25.014

2. Mat Mladin (Suz) 1:25.103

3. Geoff May (Suz) 1:25.721

4. Aaron Yates (Suz) 1:26.127

5. Larry Pegram (Duc) 1:26.390

6. Neil Hodgson (Hon) 1:26.431

7. Blake Young (Suz) 1:26.655

8. Jeff Wood (Suz) 1:26.782

9. Tommy Hayden (Suz) 1:26.825

10. Jake Holden (Hon) 1:26.980