Photography by Brian J. Nelson
Alton, Va. (May 16, 2015) – Josh Herrin was a stalker at VIR Saturday. Herrin shadowed JD Beach the entire race. He was biding his time for a last lap charge. It worked to perfection. Herrin made a bold inside move on his Wheel in Motion/Motosport.com/Meen Yamaha, found just enough of a gap and took over and held the lead for the last quarter of a lap to win his second race of the season. The gap was about a half-bike length at the checkered flag.
Garrett Gerloff bravely rode on with a broken finger and was able to finish third to hold on to the points lead after a good battle with David Anthony and Bobby Fong.
The victory moved Herrin into second in the standings, just two points behind Gerloff (81-79). Beach sits third with 77 points.
The tires were definitely greasy there at the end,” Herrin said. “I thought JD would get me in the end since he’s a flat tracker and is used to a bike sliding around so much. I’m so glad to come back to VIR. We haven’t been here in five years and it’s my favorite track in the series.”
Beach took the early lead over Herrin. Gerloff was third in spite of riding with a broken finger suffered on the track yesterday. Fong and Anthony rounded out the frontrunners. On lap three Fong moved past Gerloff to third, but Gerloff fought back to take back the position.
By lap six Beach and Herrin built a three-second gap on the next trio of Anthony, Gerloff and Fong. Then came Tomas Puerta, Kyle Wyman, Ben Young, Hayden Gillim and Corey Alexander rounding out the top 10.
Cameron Petersen pitted with electrical issues on his RoadRace Factory Yamaha and then re-entered the race.
Mid-stage Fong got around Gerloff to take fourth.
It appeared Herrin was content to stay back in Beach’s draft, possibly measuring him for a late race run.
On the closing lap both the leading riders were on the edge, the tires squirming in protest. A the top of the hill Herrin made his move pushing inside Beach, even though Beach left little room. It worked. Herrin held off the last gasp charge by Beach on the front straight. The gap was a half-bike length in the end.
Gerloff saved the best for last in the next trio of riders and moved ahead to take the final podium spot over Anthony and Fong. Puerta, Young, Wyman, Gillam and Alexander rounded the top 10.
VIR Supersport Race 1 – Saturday, May 16, 2015
1. Josh Herrin, Yam.
2. JD Beach, Yam.
3. Garrett Gerloff, Yam.
4. Dave Anthony, Suz.
5. Bobby Fong, Tri.
6. Tomas Puerta, Yam.
7. Ben Young, Yam.
8. Kyle Wyman, Yam.
9. Hayden Gillim, MV.
10. Corey Alexander, Yam.
