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05/18/2008 - 01:42 AM
Sonoma, CA
Leandro Mercado (Photo: Brian J Nelson) ยป More Photos
Leandro Mercado won pole for Sunday's Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup race at Infineon Raceway on Saturday. The 16-year-old Mercado's pole time of 1:47.115 was fastest of the 23 Rookies. The Argentine rider now living in Lodi, Calif., set his time midway through the windy 30-minute session.
"I concentrated on one fast lap because the conditions were very difficult and very slick. I was fortunate to get the one clean lap without a problem. The conditions at the end of the day were quite tough, but I want to thank Kevin Schwantz for the advice he's been giving all of us riders." said Leandro, who finished second in at Barber Motorsports Park. "I feel like I am really getting better as a racer."
Mercado has sported a blonde hairstyle this weekend. "Yes, the hair was a good luck charm for me. I like to mix things up and have fun," he added.
Los Angeles, Calif. native Austin DeHaven was second fastest in qualifying. The 14-year-old DeHaven's impressive time of 1:47.640 was aided by his unique lines through Infineon raceway's final turns. "I tried to be consistent, do as many quick laps as I could, and go as fast as possible. Evidently, one of those laps was pretty good," said DeHaven. "I tried a bunch of different lines to get comfortable. All of the competitors have pushed me and I just keep getting faster trying to hold with them."
Bryce Prince of Bakersfield, Calif., was third fastest. Prince, one of the bigger Rookies, said his breakthrough came with some new riding techniques. "The
Fourth-quickest Hayden Gillim earned a front row spot after being fastest in the morning practice. "It's been a good day for me and I'm really enjoying being on the front row today and fastest in the morning session. I'll do my best to try for a repeat performance tomorrow," said the 13-year-old from Owensboro, Ky.
Toriano Wilson of Bermuda was fifth fastest despite a crash. Wilson was joined on the second row by Tomas Puerta of Colombia, Barber race winner Benny Solis of North Hollywood, Calif., and Frankie Lee Gillim of Owensboro, Ky.
Joey Pascarella of Vacaville, Calif., and Jake Gagne of Romona, Calif., rounded out the top-ten in qualifying.
The warm temperatures and brisk winds at the 2.52-mile circuit made for challenging conditions for the Rookies, said Rider Coach Kevin Schwantz. "Everything went well, considering we hadn't tested here and the conditions were tough," said Schwantz. "For the most part, the kids did a great job. We had one crash and a couple of mechanical issues, but I was happy with the lap times in trying conditions. We had kind of a new mix at the front and it was great to see."
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