Photography by Larry Lawrence
Update: Josh Hayes was hit with a penalty for passing under yellow during his battle with Roger Hayden, dropping him to second in the final results and elevating Hayden to first.
MILLVILLE, NJ (Sept. 13, 2014) – It all came down to the final turn. Roger Hayden had victory in sight, but getting on the gas of his Yoshimura Suzuki coming onto the front straight it, the rear tire broke loose and spun up. That allowed Josh Hayes and his Monster Energy/Graves Motorsports Yamaha the opportunity to get a better drive and edge ahead at the finish line. The margin of victory after 23 soaking laps of battling was 0.265 seconds.
The victory clinched the 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship for Hayes. The only rider who had even a remote a chance to catch him, teammate Cameron Beaubier, crashed in the race. He remounted to finish fifth, but any lingering title hopes were dashed.
This marks the fourth AMA Superbike Championship for Hayes in five years. He now has seven victories on the season with just Sunday’s round remaining.
Hayes explained his reasoning for going for the win in spite of the risks he was taking.
“I was just having so much fun battling for the lead I didn’t want to give it up,” Hayes said. “It feels great to get this championship back.”
The Yoshimura Suzukis darted to the front at the start. It was Martin Cardenas leading Hayden on the first lap. Spaniard Bernat Martinez ran a close third and nearly pitched it three turns into the race, but held on. Conditions were obviously tricky. On the third lap both leaders had a major moment together, their Suzukis getting sideways out of a turn and pitching back violently in almost perfect synchronization.
As the three riders battled up front, series leader Hayes was running conservatively in fourth, doing what he needed to do to clinch the championship.
Jodi Christie was the first to crash out, but there would be plenty more. Chris Fillmore fell and then Cameron Beaubier. Beaubier remounted and got back into the race running 15th.
On lap 11 Cardenas crashed out of the lead in turn 11. It appeared the airbags in his leathers deployed and he had a tough time picking up his bike. That put Hayden in the lead with Martinez second and Hayes moving up to join the fray.
Ten laps in and Larry Pegram was fourth, over 20 seconds back from the leading trio. Another 20seconds behind him was Sean Dwyer in fifth.
On lap 10 Martinez’ excellent run came to an end with a crash out of second. Frankie Babuska crashed and David Anthony as well, twice.
By lap 12 Hayes, who started the race conservatively, broke through to the lead. Hayden didn’t give up the chase and the two look set to have a good battle to the finish. On lap 15 Hayden took back the lead, but Hayes outbraked him into turn one on the next lap go back to the point. On lap 21 it was Hayden’s turn again to lead as the duo continued to fight hard in spite of the conditions.
In the closing laps the leaders swapped the top spot several more times, with Hayes outbraking Hayden into turn one, only to be repassed going into two.
The final lap was riveting with both riders going side by side through turns and edging in front here and there. Out of the final turn Hayden’s bike broke loose. That ruined his drive and Hayes was able to sweep around to take the victory. The two had lapped up to fourth place.
AMA Pro SuperBike Results – Sept. 13, 2014
1 4 Josh Hayes Gulfport, MS Yamaha R1 23 Laps
2 95 Roger Hayden Owensboro, KY Suzuki GSX-R1000 +00.265
3 72 Larry Pegram Hebron, OH EBR 1190RS +1:33.091
4 10 Sean Dwyer Palm Beach Gardens, FL Suzuki GSX-R1000 22 Laps
5 2 Cameron Beaubier Roseville, CA Yamaha R1 +45.146
6 174 Marcel Irnie Kelowna BC BMW S1000RR +48.648
7 6 Chris Clark Las Vegas, NV Suzuki GSX-R1000 +53.162
8 13 Cory West Eureka Springs, AR EBR 1190RS +55.108
9 18 Chris Ulrich Lake Elsinore, CA Honda CBR1000RR +56.006
10 44 Taylor Knapp Lapeer, MI Suzuki GSX-R1000 +1:03.169
