Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Hacking Makes Spectacular Return to the PodiumBirmingham, Ala. May 3, 2009

Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking finished on the podium after an incredible save from a near crash during the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race at Barber Motorsports Park. Hacking’s scuffed-up leathers told the tale as he was all but on the ground coming out of turn 12. His incident was the talk of the podium celebration after he came through the pack to finish third. Teammate Roger Hayden made his way through six riders to finish 14th.

Coming Back to Barber - Roger Lee Hayden

The round at Barber Motorsports Park has been a rough return for Hayden. Last year Hayden was taken out in practice and the crash resulted in cracks in his pelvis and back, along with having his pinky amputated. Battling in the race allowed Hayden to concentrate on the issue at hand, moving from his 20th-place starting position to finish 14th.

“My start wasn’t that good, but that is kind of my own fault since my qualifying session didn’t go so well,” said Hayden. “The race was definitely better. I was basically battling with people the whole race. It was pretty fun. I would have definitely liked to finish better, but I finished better than I started so I am happy with that. We have some ideas on changes for the bike we want to try Sunday. It was moving around a lot going into the corners so hopefully we can get that handled and do better Sunday.”

Apprehensive

Barber Motorsports Park has been a track filled with ups and downs for Hayden. It was the location of his first win, but also where he’s left injured several times including last year. The return to Birmingham has been a little tough, but he’s overcoming the situation as best he can.

“I felt a lot more comfortable out there today,” said Hayden. “I’ve been having a little bit of a problem coming back here after having such a rough go the past few years. I definitely felt better during the race. I know it’s no excuse since everybody crashes and it’s part of it, but I just psyched myself out a little bit the first day back.”

What a Race

Starting second after a great Superpole session, Hacking got out to the lead on the first lap. A few laps in, he was running in second when he came into turn 12 and hit debris that was on the track, sending him instantly sideways. Hacking was completely off the bike when he was able to save it, rejoining the field in eighth. With only four laps to go, Hacking passed for the final podium spot and was able to put a small gap on fourth.

“The race was going good up until that corner (turn 12),” said Hacking. “When I came out of the pervious corner, I could see a rider down on the grass out of the next turn so I was concentrating on that. All of a sudden I was sideways. I was worried about going down and having a big pile up behind me. But then I was getting pretty close to the wall and I starting to think about myself. I was able to pull myself back up. I couldn’t believe I saved it. I had to regain my composure and put my head down to go after the guys in front of me.”

How Did He Not Fall?

Hacking pulled off an amazing move to keep himself from crashing and the situation had him revisiting the 2007 incident that actually took him down.

“I don’t know what it is with that corner,” said Hacking. “I think turn 12 has it out for me. I didn’t go into it any different than the previous time and it felt like I hit something without a doubt. I also don’t know how I got back on the bike. I only had one hand on the bike and I was dragging on the ground. My leathers look like I crashed, but I was never completely off the bike. It took me a little bit to get going since it was a big flashback of 2007.”

Not Much To Do

With only one qualifying session on Saturday, Leandro Mercado had a lot of down time. During some of that time, Mercado took a trip to the renowned Barber Motorsports Vintage Museum.

“It was really fun to go see the museum,” said Mercado. “They have so many bikes. It’s incredible. You could spend hours in there just wandering around.”

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

The weather outlook for Sunday isn’t looking good with rain forecast for most of the afternoon. All the riders will take to the track with Hacking and Hayden racing in the second AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race and Mercado racing in his second AMA Pro SuperSport race.

Results

AMA Pro Road Racing Series
Barber Motorsports Park – Birmingham, Ala.
May 2, 2009

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Results

1.    Martin Cardenas, Miami, Fla., Suzuki
2.    Jason DiSalvo, Las Vegas, Nev., Suzuki
3.    Jamie Hacking, Denver, N.C., Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki
4.    Josh Herrin, Clovis Calif., Yamaha
5.    Tommy Aquino, Saugus, Calif., Yamaha
6.    Steve Rapp, Hawthorne, Calif. Yamaha
7.    Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda
8.    Daniel Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Buell
9.    Taylor Knapp, Lapeer, Mich., Buell
10.   Chris Peris, Calgary, Canda, Honda
14.   Roger Hayden, Owensboro, KY., Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki

AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Point Standings

1.    Daniel Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Buell, 122
2.    Jamie Hacking, Denver, N.C., Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki, 120
3.    Josh Herrin, Clovis Calif., Yamaha, 114
4.    Martin Cardenas, Miami, Fla., Suzuki, 112
5.    Jason DiSalvo, Las Vegas, Nev., Suzuki, 103
6.    Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 74
7.    Chaz Davies, Carlsbad, Calif., Aprilla, 72
8.    Chris Peris, Calgary, Canda, Honda, 64
9.    Steve Rapp, Hawthorne, Calif., Yamaha, 60
10.  Tommy Aquino, Saugus, Calif., Yamaha, 53
14.   Leandro Mercado, Lodi, Calif., Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki, 39
15.   Roger Hayden, Owensboro, KY., Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki, 32