Various press releases from this weekend’s Daytona International Speedway AMA Pro Racing round. You  can see images, videos and information on the Graves Motorsports Facebook, Youtube and Twitter pages (links at the bottom of our website).

 

Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Rider Hayes On Pole For AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike At Daytona

Daytona, FL March 16, 2012 – Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha rider Josh Hayes, who captured seven poles last season on the way to his second AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Championship in a row, earned the pole position in today’s final qualifying session at Daytona International Speedway.

Josh’s Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha SuperBike teammate Josh Herrin equaled the fourth position on the starting grid that he earned in Thursday’s first qualifying session, which means that both riders will start from the front row aboard their crossplane-crankshaft Yamaha YZF-R1 SuperBikes.

Commenting on his pole-qualifying effort, Josh Hayes said, “My R1 is fast! It’s good to get that first point of the season, and I’m really looking forward to this afternoon’s race. With Josh and I both qualifying on the front row, we’re really excited to have the pair of Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R1s at the head of the pack.”

SuperBike Race 1 will go green later today at 4:00 PM, and SuperBike Race 2 is set for Saturday, March 17 at 11:00 AM. Check your local TV listings for Speed TV’s telecast of both races.

###

About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), a leader in the motorsports market, makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings also include motorcycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, race kart engines, accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of dealers in the United States.

Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. For more information on Yamaha, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.
———————

 

Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha Rider Beaubier Qualifies On Front Row For Daytona 200

Daytona, FL March 16, 2012 – Competing in just the second Daytona 200 of his young career, Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha rider Cameron Beaubier earned second position in today’s final qualifying session, and he will start on the front row for Saturday’s 71st running of the prestigious Daytona 200.

Cameron’s freshly recruited teammate for the Daytona 200, veteran rider Tommy Hayden-who was called into service late yesterday as a replacement for the injured Garrett Gerloff-qualified on the fourth row. Tommy is very much in position to move up during Saturday’s race, as he gets more seat time and acclimates to his Yamaha YZF-R6 during the main event.

Commenting on his qualifying session and the upcoming 200-mile race, Cameron said, “We’ve got a good race setup for tomorrow’s 200. It’s 57 laps, so we’re happy to be on the front row for the start. I’ll be working hard to keep myself up front and in position to win my first Daytona 200.”

Yamaha is well represented at the front of this year’s Daytona 200 starting grid. There are 6 Yamaha R6 Daytona SportBikes in the top 10 for the race.

Start time for Saturday’s Daytona 200 is 1:00 PM. Check your local TV listings for Speed TV’s telecast of the race.
———————

 

Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Rider Hayes Blitzes The Field In AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Race 1 At Daytona

Daytona, FL March 16, 2012 – Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha rider Josh Hayes was a man on a mission in AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Race 1 at Daytona International Speedway as he successfully began his defense of his Championship title with a dominant win at “The World Center of Racing.”

Josh moved to the front of the pack in very quick fashion and clicked off fast lap after fast lap. He scored a valuable bonus point for leading the most laps-in fact, he led every lap of the 15-lap race—then took the checkered flag more than eight seconds ahead of 2nd-place finisher Blake Young. Josh also recorded the fastest lap of the race.

His Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha SuperBike teammate Josh Herrin actually got the holeshot when the race went green in his first-ever SuperBike race. For a brief moment on lap one, Herrin and Hayes were in first and second position, respectively, on their identically prepared crossplane-crankshaft Yamaha YZF-R1 SuperBikes before Hayes ultimately took the lead and was never fronted. Herrin unfortunately low-sided his bike and eventually had to retire from the race.

After celebrating the win with his crew and climbing to the top of the podium in Victory Circle, Josh Hayes said, “Man, my 2012 R1 is fast. What a day…I’m so happy. I’ve got to thank my whole Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team, including my crew chief Jim Roach for working so hard in the off-season and this weekend to give me such a dominant motorcycle. It’s a great start to the season, and I can’t wait for tomorrow’s race.”

SuperBike Race 2 is set for Saturday, March 17 at 11:00 AM. Check your local TV listings for Speed TV’s telecast of the race.

 

———————

 

Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Rider Hayes Finishes Second In AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Race 2 At Daytona; Teammate Herrin Is Fourth

Daytona, FL March 17, 2012 – With both of its riders finishing in the top 4, the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team performed well in AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Race 2 at Daytona International Speedway.

Josh Hayes, who earned another valuable point in the championship by leading the most laps, was perfectly positioned on the final lap to use the famous Daytona draft for the win, and Josh crossed the finish line in a photo finish. Blake Young held on to win the race by a scant two one-thousandths of a second. Josh, who is the two-time reigning SuperBike Champion, leaves Daytona in the lead of this year’s championship.

Number-2 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha SuperBike rider Josh Herrin ran an exciting and tactical race where he diced back and forth with Roger Lee Hayden. In only his second race aboard the crossplane-crankshaft Yamaha YZF-R1, Josh finished in a very respectable 4th place.

Commenting on his race, Josh Hayes said, “Wow, that was exciting, but I just mistimed it on that last lap. My crew gave me a great bike today, but that one was on me. It was a great race for the fans, and I can’t wait to get to Road Atlanta. It’s going to be a great season.”

The Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team’s next race is in almost exactly a month when AMA Pro Racing makes its welcome return to Road Atlanta for the Big Kahuna Atlanta.
———————

 

Yamaha YZF-R6 Rider Pascarella Wins Daytona 200; Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha’s Beaubier Finishes On Podium; Teammate Hayden Is 7th

Daytona, FL March 17, 2012  - 19-year-old Joey Pascarella won the 71st running of the Daytona 200 aboard his Yamaha YZF-R6. Riding to help raise awareness and support for the March of Dimes March for Babies, Joey led 41 laps of the 57-lap race.

Also the same age as Joey and hailing from the same part of California, Cameron Beaubier raced his Yamaha Extended Service /Graves/Yamaha R6 to a podium finish. Cameron was fast and out front at the start of the race, and he led 5 laps at the “World Center of Racing.” The final lap was as exciting as any 200 ever raced, and Cameron was in contention to notch the win. As always, drafting played a key role in the outcome, and Cameron crossed the finish line in third.

Tommy Hayden was called into action at virtually the last moment as a replacement rider for Garrett Gerloff, who was unfortunately injured in the first AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike practice on Thursday. Despite very little seat time in preparation for the race, Tommy relied on his immense experience and finished in a very impressive 7th place.

After the race, Cameron said, “I’m proud to put my Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha R6 on the podium, but I’m also disappointed to not win the race. My crew gave me a great bike, and the pitstops were flawless. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.”

The Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha team’s next race is in about five weeks’ time when AMA Pro Racing makes its return to Road Atlanta for the Big Kahuna Atlanta on the weekend of April 20-22.

Be sure to follow the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams on Facebook.
———————