Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Hayden Makes Strong Return with Runner-Up FinishApril 4 - Braselton, Ga.
Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Roger Hayden earned his first podium finish of the year as he made his return to racing this weekend at Road Atlanta. Hayden made a strong run to the front and was closing in on the leader when a red flag ended the race with three laps left. Teammate Jamie Hacking was battling with the front-runners and finished the day in seventh, while Leandro Mercado walked away from a crash early in the race.
Good Comeback
After missing the first two meetings of the series, Hayden made his debut in the AMA Pro SportBike class on Saturday. He worked his way up from his sixth-place starting position to ride right to the tail section of the leader. Unfortunately right when Hayden got close to the leader, the red flag came out and ended the race three laps early.
Roger Hayden
“I didn’t have a great start at first, but I worked my way back,” said Hayden. “When the pace car came out, I think it helped me a little since (Jake) Zemke had a pretty good lead out front. When we went green again, I worked my way up pretty quickly to third. I was right on the leader when the red flag came out. I feel really good and it’s great to be back. For my first race back, it couldn’t have gone any better.”
Hayden’s first race back was an obvious victory in his eyes. He had fun and turned out a great result.
“What a fun race,” said Hayden. “The team has been really great and they’ve done a good job making me feel comfortable again. We haven’t had any problems so far and I really want to thank the team for being behind me.”
Still Ahead in Points
Hacking started the race with the front-runners, but after the red-flag he dropped back to finish seventh. He still holds the points lead in the class by two points and looks to Sunday’s race to return to the podium.
“We are going to make a few changes tonight so we can be up there with the front runners a little more tomorrow,” said Hacking. “I tried to get the best finish possible so we can keep the points lead. I’m just looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully finishing better than today.”
Back Up
Mercado’s race was shortened after he went down on the sixth lap. He walked away uninjured and is also looking forward to tomorrow. “I’m not really sure what happened with my crash,” said Mercado. “I just want to focus on getting some rest and coming back tomorrow for a better race.”
One More Day
The AMA Pro SportBike class will run its second race on Sunday with Mercado also competing in the AMA Pro SuperSport race shortly following. The second race is a chance for the riders to make improvements and learn what worked or didn’t in the first race.
Results
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Results
1. Martin Cardenas, Miami, Fla., Suzuki
2. Roger Hayden, Owensboro, KY., Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki
3. Daniel Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Buell
4. Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda
5. Chaz Davies, Carlsbad, Calif., Aprilla
6. Josh Herrin, Clovis Calif., Yamaha
7. Jamie Hacking, Denver, N.C., Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki
8. Tommy Aquino, Saugus, Calif., Yamaha
9. Chris Peris, Calgary, Canda, Honda
10. Taylor Knapp, Lapeer, Mich., Buell
40. Leandro Mercado, Lodi, Calif., Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Point Standings
1. Jamie Hacking, Denver, N.C., Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki, 83
2. Martin Cardenas, Miami, Fla., Suzuki, 81
3. Daniel Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Buell, 78
4. Josh Herrin, Clovis Calif., Yamaha, 71
5. Jason DiSalvo, Las Vegas, Nev., Suzuki, 63
6. Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 60
7. Chaz Davies, Carlsbad, Calif., Aprilla, 57
8. Tommy Aquino, Saugus, Calif., Yamaha, 37
9. Steve Rapp, Hawthorne, Calif., Yamaha, 33
10. Chris Peris, Calgary, Canda, Honda, 32
11. Leandro Mercado, Lodi, Calif., Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki
