The MotoAmerica Superbike championship qualifying sessions are over. Temperatures were cool this morning at Circuit of the Americas during qualifying compared to the afternoon session yesterday that took place in 104 degree weather. Many riders bested their times from yesterday because they did not have to navigate a greasy track. At this circuit the track gets more greasy as the temperature rises. Here is how qualifying panned out.
Medallia Superbike
Championship winner Jake Gagne (Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha) secured pole position. The race is just a formality with Gagne having secured the championship prior to this weekend. He finished the session 6 tenths ahead of P2 finisher Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Ducati). Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR rider Richie Escalante finished third. Qualifying times dropped by the seconds from yesterdays session. The riders were able to find much more grip in the cooler temperatures this morning offered. However, come race time the temperatures will near 103 degrees and the pace may change come race time.
Stock 1000
Hayden Gillim (Disrupt Racing) secured pole position in a must win weekend. Gillim currently sits 8 points behind Ezra Beaubier (Orange Cat Racing) in the championship standings. Beaubier did not participate in Free practice or in Q2 raising questions as to whether there is an issue with his bike. Beaubier will start 8th on the grid leaving the door wide open for Gillim and Kaleb De Keyrel (Orange Cat Racing) to close the gap. A champion will be decided this weekend.
Supersport
Tyler Scott (Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR) edged out Xavi Fores in Q2 to secured pole position. Fores has all but won the championship this season and can seal the deal this weekend at Circuit of the Americas. Scott beat Fores by 0.036 seconds. Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR rider Teagg Hobbs finished P3 which puts two Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR bikes on the front row for the races this weekend.
King of the Baggers
Kyle Wyman (H-D Screamin’ Eagle) secured pole position ahead of championship point leader Hayden Gillim. The championship wont be decided this weekend but with a Wyman on pole he will attempt to knock Gillim out of the lead. James Rispoli (Vance & Hines/Mission/H) finished third in qualifying.
Super Hooligans
The Super Hooligans class was broken into two separate qualifying sessions due to the number of entries in the class. The slower session occurred yesterday afternoon and the faster session took place this morning. However, the overall best times from both sessions were combined to form the grid. Tyler O’Hara ran overall fastest securing pole ahead of teammate Jeremy McWilliams and Andy DiBrino.
Racing gets started this afternoon with Stock 1000 at 12:30 local time.