Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki's Hayden Redeems Saturday Race With Top-Five on Sunday

2009-08-18 17:46
Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Roger Hayden made up for his result during Saturday’s AMA Daytona SportBike race as he challenged for the lead and eventually finished fifth on Sunday at Virginia International Raceway. Teammate Jamie Hacking got pushed back at the start and eventually finished ninth. Leandro Mercado returned to racing at VIR, but crashed out early during the AMA SuperSport race, walking away uninjured.

Hayden Up Front

After an unsatisfying finish on Saturday, Hayden was ready to come out fighting on Sunday. On the rolling start, Hayden moved up to third place and eventually into the lead a few laps later. A constant battle waged back and forth for the lead over the next dozen laps, but in the end he finished fifth.

“It’s disappointing to lead the race that long and finish fifth,” said Hayden. “It is nice to come back and do better and show that I can run up front, but I didn’t have any tire left. It was spinning and I wasn’t able to push it at the finish.”

Looking Ahead One Last Time

With only one round left in the season, the boys have two races left to make their mark on the field. Already both Hacking and Hayden have had success on the podium, but are searching for their first win.

“I hope we learned a few things about the bike so we can come out at the last race and get a win,” said Hayden. “We had a good test there (New Jersey) a couple of weeks ago and Jamie (Hacking) and I have both shown that we have the speed for the front. It would be great to go out with a win.”

Off The Track

Hacking had some unfortunate luck at the start that moved him back to 10th in the first few turns. He made a push for the front and found himself at the end of the six-man front pack a few laps in. While trying to get advance his position, Hacking went off-track, but rejoined and was able to finish ninth.

“I got pushed back pretty bad at the start and knew it was going to be a long race from there,” said Hacking. “I just kept pushing and finally made it pretty close to the front runners, but went off the track. I rode as strong as I could, but that run off ruined my chances for another podium. I really hope the next race will finally be the weekend where it all comes together.”

Final Turn Woes

With an unwanted month and a half break from racing, Mercado was back in Virginia looking for his third win of the season in the AMA SuperSport class. After a red flag completely restarted the race, Mercado got out front and was challenging for the lead. Only two laps in, Mercado went down in the last corner of the course. He walked away uninjured.

“The race started out well and I knew it was going to be a good battle with me and Josh (Day),” said Mercado. “It was barely a few laps in and I lost the front in the last turn. I am not very happy with the race, but I am happy to be back riding.

Family Affair

When Mercado returned to the states, his mom and dad traveled with him and supported his return at VIR. Along with Mercado’s parents, both Hacking and Hayden’s folks were in attendance over the weekend.

Next Up: New Jersey
With the penultimate round in the books, the final race will be underway in three-weeks time. The riders had a test at the track after the Mid-Ohio round and hope the season finishes with them on top.

Results
AMA Pro Road Racing Series
Virginia International Raceway – Alton, Va.
August 16, 2009

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Results
1. Josh Herrin, Clovis, Calif., Yamaha
2. Daniel Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Buell
3. Tommy Aquino, Saugus, Calif., Yamaha
4. Taylor Knapp, Lapeer, Mich., Buell
5. ROGER HAYDEN, OWENSBORO, KY., MONSTER ENERGY ATTACK KAWASAKI
6. Bobby Fong, Stockton, Calif., Yamaha
7. Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda
8. Chris Peris, Calgary, Canada, Honda
9. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY ATTACK KAWASAKI
10. Dane Westby, Tulsa, Okla., Yamaha

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Point Standings
1. Daniel Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Buell, 357
2. Martin Cardenas, Miami, Fla., Suzuki, 340
3. Josh Herrin, Clovis Calif., Yamaha, 321
4. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY ATTACK KAWASAKI, 274
5. Jason DiSalvo, Las Vegas, Nev., Suzuki, 261
6. Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 218
7. Tommy Aquino, Saugus, Calif., Yamaha, 213
8. Chris Peris, Calgary, Canada, Honda, 212
9. Chaz Davies, Carlsbad, Calif., Aprilla, 194
10. Steve Rapp, Hawthorne, Calif., Yamaha, 179
12. ROGER HAYDEN, OWENSBORO, KY., MONSTER ENERGY ATTACK KAWASAKI, 149

Source: Monster Energy Kawasaki

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