Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing’s Mat Mladin, Ben Spies and Tommy Hayden replicated their impressive results from Saturday’s AMA Superbike race in Sunday’s final event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
Six-time AMA Superbike Champion Mladin won again and in doing so
celebrated his 70th career AMA Superbike victory and his seventh win this year. Defending two-time AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies started from pole position and again followed Mladin home in second place while Rockstar Makita Suzuki team mate Tommy Hayden again brought home fifth.
Unlike Saturday’s event, Sunday’s was not plagued by red flags. The full 26-lap race saw Spies lead the first lap before being overtaken by Mladin. The two rode flawless races to finish on the podium. Hayden, likewise, rode a consistent race and brought home a strong result.
Mat Mladin:
“It was a good race for us today. We got a decent start on the Rockstar Makita Suzuki GSX-R1000 and the guys got out there. I didn’t want to let them get in a rhythm so I pushed past as quick as I could and wanted to set my pace. We made a couple changes this morning and I realised I had a bike that was
capable of going a little bit quicker than yesterday so I wanted to get out there and get the most out of it while I could. I opened up a gap and was able to hold on at the end.”
Ben Spies:
“We got a way better start than yesterday and I got into the lead and tried to go as quick as I could. Then Mat came by and I got in behind him and I was riding as hard as I could… But then I settled into a pace that was good for me. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki GSX-R1000 was working a little better today than
yesterday but we just didn’t have the quick laps in the middle of the race. Overall, the bike was working a little bit better and I was feeling a little bit better too.”
Tommy Hayden:
“Things were a little bit better today than yesterday. We at least got to go the full distance. My crew made some changes overnight to the Rockstar Makita Suzuki GSX-R1000 and it was faster today - it was quite a bit faster today. I’m happy with today because we improved all weekend long. We were a little bit behind because we missed the test at this track while I was injured, but we made small improvements all weekend. Now I’m looking forward to the test at Road Atlanta next week and getting back to normal.”
Superbike Results:
1. Mat Mladin (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
2. Ben Spies (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
3. Jamie Hacking (Kawasaki)
4. Neil Hodgson (Honda)
5. Tommy Hayden (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
6. Miguel Duhamel (Honda)
7. Jason DiSalvo (Yamaha)
8. Geoff May (Suzuki)
9. Chris Peris (Suzuki)
10. Kenny Noyes (Suzuki)
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