Photography by Larry Lawrence
MILLVILLE, NJ (Sept. 12, 2015) – Joe Roberts looks to be climbing back to the top of the heap among the young American road racing prospects after a dominating MotoAmerica Supersport performance in the rain at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Roberts took over on lap three and quickly pulled away to an impressive 6.352-second margin of victory in the 20-lap final.
It marked Roberts’ first victory in the Supersport class in just his third appearance in the series this year.
While the final margin was just over six seconds, Roberts actually backed it off in the latter laps after having built as much as a 15-second lead in the middle stages of the race.
“I love this track,” Roberts commented. “It’s flowy and at first I was just trying to get the feel. When I took over the lead I just rode my pace and I was surprised after a few laps to see the gap was already 10 seconds.”
Puerta nailed the holeshot, the bravest to lead the way in the dicey conditions. At the end of the first lap it was Puerta leading Herrin and pole-winner Roberts.
On the second lap Herrin slipped under Puerta to take over the lead.
On lap three Herrin slipped while getting on the gas, ran wide and Roberts took over the lead, which he extended quickly.
At the halfway point Roberts had pulled clear with a 13-second lead. Puerta held off a group that included Cameron Petersen, JD Beach and David Anthony.
On lap 14 Puerta swapped back and forth under acceleration and crashed out of second.
In the end Roberts cruised home to victory, while Cameron Petersen earned his first podium taking second in a great dice with JD Beach and David Anthony, who finished third and fourth. Josh Herrin, who led early, finished fifth. Beach had already clinched the Supersport title.
MotoAmerica Supersport Race One Results from New Jersey Motorsports Park – Sept. 12, 2015
1. Joe Roberts, Yamaha.
2. Cameron Petersen, Yamaha.
3. JD Beach, Yamaha.
4. David Anthony, Suzuki.
5. Josh Herrin, Yamaha.
6. Garrett Gerloff, Yamaha.
7. Hayden Gillim, MV Agusta.
8. Bobby Fong, Triumph.
9. Benny Solis, Jr., Honda.
10. Kaleb De Keyrel, Yamaha.
