AMA Superbike
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AMA SBK: Saturday Elkhart Notebook (Update 6)
Even though the times are significantly closer today, Josh Hayes held onto the AMA Pro American Superbike. Update: Josh Herrin claimed his first pole of 2010.
Chris Martin  |  Posted June 05, 2010   Elkhart Lake, WI
Team Graves Yamaha's Josh Hayes (Photo: Brian J Nelson)

PROGRAMMING NOTE: The AMA Pro Road Racing action from Elkhart Lake, WI will air on SPEED on Saturday, June 5 starting at 10:00pm EST and Sunday, June 6 starting at 11:00pm EST.

New Voices Of SPEED

Evan Williams and Greg White have just checked in as well with some Road America thoughts. Remember to scroll down and check out our most recent Voices of SPEED.

WHITE: Heavy Issues

WILLIAMS: Road America Paddock Notes

Hayes Retains Pole In Tight Superbike Session

Team Graves Yamaha's Josh Hayes retained his position atop the AMA Pr American Superbike qualifying order at Road America on Saturday morning although the times bunched up considerably overnight.

Hayes logged the session's two fastest laps in his final pair of circulations, laying down a 2:13.144 aboard his YZF R1, followed by an even quicker 2:13.121. Both were only fractionally strong enough to put him at the front of the grid as Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki's Tommy Hayden threw down a late 2:13.147 of his own to secure the second spot on the front row.

Hayes said, "Our strategy for qualifying played out well and I’m pretty happy with how things are going. The bike is working well and we’re able to do good strong laps. I definitely don’t think you’re going to see any runaways here. It should be a good race at least until halfway and then we’ll see how things sort as people’s tires get beat up a little bit and how the draft plays into it, out-braking duels, it should be an exciting race."

Hayden remarked, "It’s easy to look back and think of all the places you could have found that time but it didn’t work out, the shoulda’s, coulda’s, you know. I’m just glad really to make a run at it, to make a challenge. Yesterday afternoon we made some changes and stumbled across a little bit better. I feel a lot better than I have the last couple races so I’m happy about that. I always love coming here -- what a fun track and a great place. I think everyone shows up here with a better attitude just because of the track and everything that goes along with it. Glad to be here, glad to be competitive and I look forward to a good race."

Local hero Blake Young made significant progress as well, running third best at 2:13.207. The Madison native is still fighting confidence issues following a difficult outing at Infineon Raceway that quickly brushed away the momentum gained in his breakthrough Road Atlanta double.

"We came in and put a tire on it and put a head down," Young stated. "We definitely got a pretty good setup going this morning compared to yesterday and I’m pretty happy with the bike and the way everything has turned out. I got a couple quick laps in there but that second lap didn’t improve the timing all that much. It’s nice to see that I could run that pace again. The guys are working hard for me, we had a little bit of a mishap yesterday with some things but we’re back on track and I think it’s going to be a good race."


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