Photography by Larry Lawrence
BIRMINGHAM, AL (June 14, 2015) – Monster Energy/Graves Yamaha teammates Cameron Beaubier and Josh Hayes had one of their best last-lap battles to date in race two at Barber Motorsports Park Sunday. Each rider led portions of the final lap with some thrilling passes and in the end it was Beaubier finding a way to hold off his veteran teammate by 0.128 seconds at the flag. Roger Hayden was third on the Yoshimura Suzuki. Hayden ran with the Yamaha factory riders for much of the race, but fell off the pace in the closing laps. He was 8.7 second back in the end.
“That was an awesome race,” Beaubier said. “Roger and Josh and I were pushing each other the whole way and it was so hot out here. I was happy to get the win and to make it up to my team that race after crashing in the first.”
Jake Gagne finished a solid fourth overall, first Superstock machine. Jake Lewis was a lonely fifth.
Sheridan Morais came home sixth on the Aprilia, bouncing back from a race one crash and Danny Eslick held off a scrappy group that included Taylor Knapp and Chris Fillmore in a battle for seventh overall. Josh Day rounded out the top 10.
On the first lap Beaubier led and then Lewis briefly passed him in turn five to lead for a few turns. By the second lap Beaubier put a small gap on the chasing field with Hayes now moving up to second and Hayden in third.
For the middle stages the leaders appeared to be preserving their tires in the heat, possibly saving up for a late charge. Beaubier was steady up front with Hayes and Hayden breathing his exhaust. Gagne ran fourth, about two seconds back and then came Lewis. Sheridan Morais ran sixth on the Aprilia. Seventh through tenth ran together with Danny Eslick leading that pack.
Lap 13 saw Hayes move into the lead with an aggressive inside move that stood Beaubier up a bit. With eight laps to go it would be a test of stamina in the heat and tire management that would tell the tale.
On lap 17 Beaubier moved back to the lead as the race headed into its final stages.
Coming down to the final lap Hayes gathered his teammate up for a last-lap charge. He passed him going into five, but Beaubier got a better drive coming out and repassed to take back the point. Hayes tried to set up for another pass attempt, but Beaubier ran a perfect final sector and held on for the win.
After crashing out of the first race and losing a big championship lead, Beaubier bounced back and now pushed his lead back up to six points over Hayes.
Combined Superbike/Superstock 1000 Race 2 Results from Barber Motorsports Park – June 14, 2015
1. Cameron Beaubier, Yamaha.
2. Josh Hayes, Yamaha.
3. Roger Hayden, Suzuki.
4. Jake Gagne, Yamaha.
5. Jake Lewis, Suzuki.
6. Sheridan Morais, Aprilia.
7. Danny Eslick, Honda.
8. Taylor Knapp, Yamaha.
9. Chris Fillmore, KTM.
10. Joshua Day, Yamaha.
