Elena Myers Wins Daytona Supersport

Paul Carruthers | March 17, 2012

DAYTONA BEACH, FL. MAR. 17 – SuzukiScoop.com’s Elena Myers won a thrilling Supersport final this morning at Daytona International Speedway, the 19-year-old Californian beating National Guard Suzuki’s Corey Alexander by .239 of a second and showing that you can lead out of the chicane on the final lap at Daytona and still win. Myers also became the first woman to ever win a professional race at Daytona.

Myers only led twice across the start/finish but the last time was the only one that counted and she led into the chicane, led out of the chicane and held off her two pursuers to earn the second win of her career and the first since her maiden victory at Infineon Raceway in 2010.

“It’s been a great weekend overall,” Myers said. “I had a bit of bad luck yesterday with the draft, but I pulled it out today. I can’t say enough about the bike. It was a pretty crazy race and we were going back and forth. I led out of the chicane and somehow I pulled it off.”

Third place, just .249 of a second behind Myers, went to Red Bull RoadRacing Factory’s Hayden Gillim.

Yesterday’s winner James Rispoli did most of the leading, but ran into issues on the final lap that saw him drop off the pace. He crossed the stripe 6.7 seconds behind the lead trio that he’d been a part of for the duration.

A five-rider battle for fifth went to the flag with the spot going to Miles Thornton over Tomas Puerta, Stefano Mesa, Ryan Kerr and Sebastiao Ferreira.

Zach Herrin, Yamaha Superbike rider Josh Herrin’s younger brother, ended up 10th.

Supersport Final:

1. Elena Myers (Suzuki)
2. Corey Alexander (Suzuki)
3. Hayden Gillim (Yamaha)
4. James Rispoli (Suzuki)
5. Miles Thornton (Yamaha)
6. Tomas Puerta (Yamaha)
7. Stefano Mesa (Yamaha)
8. Ryan Kerr (Kawasaki)
9. Sebastiao Ferreira (Yamaha)
10. Zach Herrin (Yamaha)