Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki's Tommy Hayden (Photo: Evan Williams)

Interestingly, while it was encouraging to see Young fractionally temper his aggression and rely on his reflexive instincts to advance beyond his days as a crasher, in a way, it was equally encouraging to see Hayden crash out of Sunday's scrap.

While Young has reined in his riding to find the appropriate limits, Hayden has expanded outward to meet his. His spill suffered moments after diving under Young to steal away the lead demonstrated that he's still willing to push to the edge... and beyond.

Even if the calculated risk did result in a rare mistake (if memory serves me correct, Hayden's last crash came in the exact same spot, in a similar situation, fighting Hayes and Mat Mladin in search of his first-career Superbike win late in the '09 NJMP season finale…) chalk it up as a lesson learned and another indication that Hayden still has it in him to reestablish his boundaries and compete on level terms with Hayes and Young.

That is if he has access to level equipment.

Word around the paddock suggests there won't be a place at Yoshimura Suzuki next season for Hayden, shocking as you could make a strong argument that Hayden was the most impressive rider over the season's second half, once he wrapped his head around game-changing arrival of Young at the front. Hayden's season took a turn in both directions at Barber Motorsports Park, where circumstance (weather and an engine failure) robbed him of the title, but a change in mentality established him as a refocused, redefined threat.

Hayden potentially being out of job underlines how tough times are. The economic reality of the series remains bleak despite the excellence of the on-track activity. But any team in the paddock harboring realistic hopes of winning should be lighting up Hayden's cell phone right about now.

A look down the order shows a number of teams with access to equipment capable of winning if they only had the right rider in place. And Tommy Hayden is the right rider.

As impressive as Chris Fillmore was considering his status as a complete newcomer to the Superbike wars, his immediate speed on the HMC/KTM RC8 was more than you could have honestly hoped had he made his debut on a Yosh or YamUSA bike. Exactly how good is the RC8? It was confirmed last weekend that KTM is in full-time for '12 with a one-rider effort at minimum and perhaps even a two-rider team. While the addition of Hayden may stretch the budgets, it would also expand expectations and possibilities.

The Cycle World Attack Performance Kawasaki ZX-10R certainly seems more potent now too, doesn't it? Steve Rapp powered his way to the front, slicing past Hayes and into third at one point during Sunday's epic battle, despite it being just his first weekend on the racebike. It seems obvious now that as talented as JD Beach is, the teenager is still climbing up a very steep learning curve, and at this point, the machinery is further along in its development than he is. And with all apologies to Rapp, who is a proven pro and solid performer, what might the sharply-focused Kawasaki be capable of with increased manufacturer backing and a reunion with #22?

Meanwhile, the BMWs continue to showcase massive potential. Incredibly powerful in standard guise, the S1000RR is already the choice of privateers. A serious factory BMW effort piloted by a legitimate title contender could turn this series upside down. BMW has put out feelers the past couple of seasons and dipped a toe in the water with Pegram Racing this past season. Maybe they're finally ready for an all-out blitzkrieg on the American championship.

What about Honda? They've pulled away clean but how long can they stay away, especially with a new 1000cc Superbike on the verge of being announced?

And then there's Michael Jordan Motorsports. Already home to one Hayden (more on him in a bit), a seat seems likely to open up on the #23 machine. Bostrom, who finished second on Saturday and fifth on Sunday, was also summed up by his NJMP weekend performance -- an infuriating tease of potential, excitement, and headshaking WTFs?