Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Riders Go One-Two In Final Qualifying For Daytona 200
Daytona, FL March 15, 2012 – The two young riders who make up the Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Daytona SportBike Team were the class of the field in final qualifying for the 72nd running of the Daytona 200, as Cameron Beaubier earned the pole, and his teammate Garrett Gerloff will start right next to him in second position on the grid.
Cameron earned the coveted Rolex wristwatch for winning the pole, and the 20-year-old from Roseville, CA, continues to earn the utmost respect from his fellow riders for his talent, racecraft, and sportsmanship.
Commenting on his pole-qualifying effort, Cameron Beaubier said, “The track temp came up, and I got a good draft on the last straightaway to the finish. I felt pretty good, and thought I might get a faster lap at the end, but I’m obviously happy to win the pole. The Rolex watch is such a cool thing, and to join guys like Scott Russell and all the other legends who have won the pole and gotten the Rolex, it’s a great feeling.”
Garrett Gerloff, the 17-year-old phenom from Spring, TX, said, “Conditions were a lot better this afternoon, for sure. This was my first Daytona 200 qualifying, so I’m thrilled and I can’t wait for the race tomorrow.”
The Daytona 200 field is set, and the start of the 57-lap event is scheduled for Saturday, March 16 at 1:00 PM. Check your local TV listings for Speed TV’s telecast of the race.
Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Rider Josh Herrin Scores His First Career SuperBike Victory With A Race 1 Win At Daytona
Daytona, FL March 15, 2012 – Last year’s National Guard AMA Pro SuperBike Rookie of the Year Josh Herrin stepped up big in the first race of his sophomore SuperBike season as he won Race 1 at Daytona International Speedway.
Early race leader Josh Hayes, who is Josh Herrin’s Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha teammate and three-time and defending SuperBike Champion, suffered a rare mechanical issue with his #1 Yamaha YZF-R1, and he was unfortunately unable to finish the race. That left Josh Herrin, who was shadowing Josh Hayes at the front of the pack, to take up the charge for the team.
Josh Herrin kept his bike in the lead for the remainder of the race and took the well-earned checkered flag at the same track where he won the Daytona 200 in 2010.
After his breakthrough victory, Josh said, “It feels really good to win my first SuperBike race. I did all I could to keep my #2 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R1 in the lead, and it all worked out great. I can’t wait till tomorrow’s Race 2.”
Finishing third on the day, in his debut race aboard his Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing/ Yamaha R1, was veteran rider and Ohio native Larry Pegram. After earning the podium finish, Larry said, “My guys really stepped up for me and got my R1 ready. I got a good start and kept myself in third. I tried to push to close up the gap to second place, but I finally had to settle for third. It was a great start to the season for our team, and my new R1.”
SuperBike Race 2 from Daytona is set for Saturday, March 16 at 11:00 AM. Check your local TV listings for Speed TV’s telecast of the race.
Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Rider Josh Herrin Finishes Second In Daytona SuperBike Race 2
Daytona, FL March 16, 2012 – Following up his first career AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike win in yesterday’s race, Josh Herrin finished second in Sunday’s SuperBike Race 2 at Daytona International Speedway.
Unfortunately for Josh Herrin’s teammate, three-time defending SuperBike Champion Josh Hayes, adversity struck the Mississippi Madman when his #1 Yamaha YZF-R1 expired at the beginning of Lap 12 with a mechanical issue.
Josh Herrin took up the charge for the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team and battled with Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing/Yamaha R1 rider Larry Pegram for second place all the way to the finish line, with Josh finishing just ahead of Larry, who was third at the checkered flag.
After the race, Josh Herrin said, “I felt comfortable with the pace while I was sitting behind Josh, and it was unfortunate for him that he was unable to finish the race. I’m happy to get second today after my win yesterday and really happy to be leading in the Championship points.”
“Josh and I had a good battle to the finish line,” Larry said. “And I did all I could to draft past him at the line…but it wasn’t to be. Still, I’m happy to get two podium finishes on my Yamaha R1. It’s a great start to the season for our Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing/Yamaha team.
On the strength of his win and second-place finish, Josh Herrin leaves Daytona with the points lead in the 2013 AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Championship.
Cameron Beaubier Wins Daytona 200 For Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha
Daytona, FL March 16, 2012 – In dominating fashion, Cameron Beaubier won the 72nd running of the Daytona 200 aboard his #6 Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6. Meanwhile, Garrett Gerloff, who is Cameron’s teammate in the AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike class, finished in a strong second place. The top-five finishers in the Daytona 200 were all Yamaha R6-mounted, and they lapped the rest of the field in a remarkable show of strength for the Yamaha brand.
During the race, Cameron, who earned the coveted Rolex Daytona Cosmograph wristwatch for winning the pole for the Daytona 200, continued his dominance of the 3.51-mile Daytona International Speedway road course. Cameron clicked off consistently fast lap after lap and took advantage of flawless pitstops by his Y.E.S./Monster Energy/Graves Yamaha crew to keep his advantage throughout the 57-lap event.
After the win, Cameron said, “What a day. My crew gave me an awesome R6, and our pitstops were just fantastic. The guys gave me a couple of seconds every time in the pits, and I was able to run quick laps the whole day long. It went great.”
“It was just awesome being in the front group, Garrett said. “I’m proud that our team went 1-2 in the race. It was a long race, and I’m really happy with the result. The team gave me amazing pitstops.”
Photo Credits Brian J. Nelson Photos = http://www.gravesport.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=2176
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Cypress, CA October 24, 2012 – The final round of the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing series was a memorable one for the Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha team, as 19-year-old Cameron Beaubier and 17-year-old Garrett Gerloff each piloted their Yamaha YZF-R6s to wins in their respective race classes at NOLA Motorsports Park in New Orleans, LA.
Cameron won Saturday’s AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Race One and finished second in Sunday’s Race Two and, on the strength of his one-two finish, he was named “The Big Kahuna” of the event and was awarded the coveted surfboard trophy. He was also The Big Kahuna at the previous DSB round at Homestead-Miami Speedway, so Cam and his girlfriend Kayla Weaver can now hit the waves together up in northern California where they both live.
Meanwhile, Garrett battled back from a technical issue with his #96 Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha R6 during Saturday’s AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport Race One, and he won Sunday’s Race Two to finish out the season on a high note.
Tommy Hayden returned to DSB action aboard his #22 R6, but he was still unfortunately feeling the effects of the multiple injuries that he suffered in a crash at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Tommy put in a yeoman’s effort at NOLA, and he finished 10th and 7th on the weekend.
For highlights of “The Y.E.S. Men” in New Orleans, check out this video:
You’ll also meet Kyle Guglielmetti, Skye Girard, and Geoff Cesmat, who are all crewmembers on the Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha team. The “three amigos” give you insights into their jobs, while also telling you about some of the parts and equipment that they rely on from the team’s sponsors, including Ringers Gloves, Dynojet Dynamometers, and Dynojet Power Commander Quick Shifters.
Look for more videos to come from both of the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams: Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha and Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha.
Website – www.gravesport.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/GravesMotorsports
Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/Gravesport
Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/user/GravesMotorsports
New Orleans, LA October 5, 2012 – Things got off to a great start for the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams on the first day at the Big Kahuna New Orleans as Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha and Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha riders earned provisional pole position in two GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing classes.
In AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike, three-time reigning series champion Josh Hayes got down to business right away aboard his #1 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R1 and led provisional-pole qualifying from start to finish. It was another dominant display by the Mississippi native, on a race circuit that is a scant 90 minutes from his hometown in Gulfport.
“It’s great to be riding on a track that’s so close to my home in Gulfport,” Josh said. “Everything’s going well. We’re still sorting out some stuff but, so far, things are good. We got up to speed really quickly and kept putting down consistent laps.”
In AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike, Cameron Beaubier certainly has a flair for the dramatic. He worked diligently throughout the qualifying session and put his #6 Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6 on the provisional pole on his final circulation around the 16-turn, 2.75-mile NOLA Motorsports Park natural road course.
Commenting on his provisional-pole-winning effort, Cameron said, “The start of the session was a little rough, and I was trying to get my laptimes down. I built my confidence up a little bit, and I switched to the hard tire option, which helped a lot. I saw P2 on my pit board, and I was really pushing on my last lap. I”m super-happy to put my R6 on the provisional pole, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Cameron’s Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha teammate Tommy Hayden–in his first race back since suffering a concussion, broken foot, separated shoulder, and rib injuries in a race crash at New Jersey Motorsports Park a month ago–finished provisional qualifying in 15th. When asked if he was feeling the effects of his New Jersey crash, Tommy said, “It’s definitely making it tough. I’ve lost a little bit of strength in my shoulder. That’s the biggest problem. We modified my boot so that helped a little bit with my foot. I’ll see how I feel in the morning. Hopefully, I can improve in final qualifying.”
In AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport, Garrett Gerloff was third-fastest in provisional qualifying, on a track that he’d never set a tire on before, due to the fact that he was injured earlier in the season when AMA Pro Road Racing had an official test at NOLA. About his provisional qualifying session, Garrett said, “The bike feels good, and it’s fast, but we picked the wrong tire for the session. I really like the flow of the track a lot. The more laps I ride on it, the more comfortable I feel, so seat time is important, obviously. I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow.”
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Cagey Cameron Goes Cajun As Beaubier Wins Saturday Daytona SportBike Race In New Orleans
New Orleans, LA October 6, 2012 – Cameron Beaubier, the rapidly rising star of the Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha team, won Saturday’s AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Race One at NOLA Motorsports Park. For Cameron and his #6 Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6, the victory was their seventh out of the past nine races.
In the press conference following his well-earned victory, Cameron said, “I didn’t get the greatest of starts, and I had to work hard to get myself to the front. My Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha team gave me an awesome bike. I’m trying to win as many races as I can before the season ends, and I’m really looking forward to getting back on my R6 for tomorrow’s race.”
Cameron’s teammate Tommy Hayden, in his first race back from suffering injuries in a crash at New Jersey Motorsports Park, was understandably still feeling the effects of the incident that occurred just a month ago. He put in a heroic effort and finished a respectable 10th.
In Saturday’s AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport Race One, Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha rider Garrett Gerloff had a great race going and had worked himself into 2nd on his #96 R6. Unfortunately, due to an as-yet-unidentifiable mechanical or electrical issue with his bike, he ultimately finished in 15th place. The team has been working to diagnose the problem, and they are determined to resolve the issue and ensure that Garrett’s R6 is ready for Sunday’s SuperSport Race Two.
That race will go green on Sunday at 1:15 PM, and Daytona SportBike Race Two will start at 2:15 PM. All times are Central.
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Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Champ Josh Hayes Does That Voodoo That He Do & Wins SuperBike Race One At NOLA Motorsports Park
New Orleans, LA October 6, 2012 – In his first race after winning his third AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Championship, Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha rider Josh Hayes continued his winning ways by scoring another decisive race victory, this time in Saturday’s Race One at NOLA Motorsports.
Josh, who was riding in front of a large group of family and friends from his hometown in nearby Gulfport, Mississippi, put pride and power on display as he dominated the 18-lap event aboard his #1 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R1 and took the checkered flag with a lead of more than 10 seconds over the rest of the field. The victory was Josh’s 14th of the season, with one more race to go tomorrow on the 16-turn, 2.75-mile New Orleans road course.
After the win, Josh said, “The first lap, everything went kind of clean, and I hit my marks well, and then I started to get a little gap. I had so many people come out this weekend, and I really wanted to do well for them and all the fans here at NOLA. The Dunlop tires held up well for me on this new surface, and tire wear was really a non-issue, at least for me. Hats off to my crew for giving me a great bike. Fourteen wins so far this season is really a testament to their talents.”
SuperBike Race Two is scheduled to start on Sunday at 3:30 PM Central Time.
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Double-G Dominates In The Delta As Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha Rider Garrett Gerloff Wins Final SuperSport Race Of The Season
New Orleans, LA October 7, 2012 – In Sunday’s AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport Race Two at NOLA Motorsports Park, Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha rider Garrett Gerloff won convincingly aboard his #96 Yamaha YZF-R6 and finished off his final race weekend of the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season in style.
For 17-year-old Garrett, it was his first visit to the 16-turn, 2.75-mile natural road course located within minutes of downtown New Orleans. During the weekend, Garrett quickly acclimated to the new track and, on Sunday morning, he was the fastest rider on the track in the warm-up session. That proved to be a harbinger of things to come later in the day when the light turned green for the start of the race. Garrett was on the gas and proved to be the class of the field as he won by a margin of more than 11 seconds.
After accepting his winner’s trophy, Garrett said, “I got a good start and got away a little bit. That got me feeling really good, and I was able to put down fast lap after fast lap. My Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha R6 was awesome today, and I can’t wait for next year. Hopefully, this win will be a springboard to bigger and better things next year.”
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Cameron Beaubier Hangs Ten On His Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha R6 And Is The “Big Kahuna” In New Orleans
New Orleans, LA October 7, 2012 – Sunday’s AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Race Two at NOLA Motorsports Park was a battle royale between Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha rider Cameron Beaubier and DSB series points champ Martin Cardenas. Cameron diced with the veteran rider several times during the race, and especially on the final lap where the lead changed hands a few times. At the stripe, Cameron narrowly missed earning his second win of the weekend, and he finished a close second.
Based on his win in Saturday’s Race One and his second-place finish on Sunday, Cameron was awarded the surfboard trophy as the “Big Kahuna” in New Orleans, which will sit alongside the other surfboard that he won just two weeks ago as the “Big Kahuna” in Miami.
After the race, Cameron said, “I had a little better start today, but I got shuffled back early in the race. I managed to get myself back up to the front, and I worked hard to stay there. The last lap was a battle. I don’t know if we touched, but it was definitely close racing, and I did everything I could to get the win. The surfboard is awesome, and I guess I’ll have to add surfing to my off-season training program!”
Cameron’s teammate Tommy Hayden soldiered through Sunday’s DSB race aboard his #22 Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha R6 and finished in a very respectable seventh place. It was a gutsy effort for Tommy in New Orleans after coming back so soon from the multiple injuries he incurred in his crash at New Jersey Motorsports Park just a month ago.
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Like Red Beans And Rice, Winning And Josh Hayes Go Together Perfectly In Sunday SuperBike Race In New Orleans
New Orleans, LA October 7, 2012 – Wrapping up his historic season, Gulfport, Mississippi’s Josh Hayes put the final touches on his third straight AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Championship by winning Sunday’s race at NOLA Motorsports Park. It was the 16th win of the season for Josh and the 33rd SuperBike of his career, which moves him into sole possession of second place on the all-time AMA Pro Road Racing SuperBike wins list.
Like most of Josh’s wins this season, he got a great start, moved to the front, and clicked off fast lap after fast lap, which resulted in a gap of more than nine seconds over the rest of the field when he took the checkered flag.
After celebrating on the top step of the podium at NOLA, Josh said, “It was the perfect way to end an incredible year. I think we’re all basically show-offs at heart, and to have a lot of my family and friends here made it all the more special for me. What a year it’s been for the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team. My guys are the best.”
As part of the Vortex Racing PINK Campaign, in support of breast cancer research, Josh ran a special, pink-anodized Vortex sprocket on his Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R1 throughout the weekend. “I was proud to have that sprocket on my R1,” Josh commented. “My manager Gina Nadeau has been battling breast cancer for a long time, and it felt good to do something to raise awareness of that terrible disease.”
Cypress, CA October 4, 2012 – Round 11 of the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing series saw 19-year-old Yamaha Extended Service/Graves Yamaha rider Cameron Beaubier pilot his #6 Yamaha YZF-R6 to yet another win in the hotly contested AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike class.
Despite the changeable weather that brought rain, wind, thunder, and lightning to Homestead-Miami Speedway–along with track conditions that ranged from dry, to wet, to varying degrees of wet and dry–Cameron accepted the challenge with his usual calm demeanor and riding skills belying his young age. He earned the pole and won Saturday’s Race One–his sixth race win out of the past nine starts–and then, he finished third in Sunday’s Race Two to make it a perfect 12 for 12 in podium appearances in the DSB races that he has finished this season. And, to top it all off, on the strength of his 1-3 finishes, Cameron was named the Big Kahuna of the event and was awarded the coveted surfboard trophy, which is an appropriate prize for a guy who hails from northern California.
Seventeen-year-old Garrett Gerloff was also in action at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and he raced his #96 Yamaha YZF-R6 to solid eighth- and seventh-place finishes in the AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport class, at a track on which he’d never even seen in person, let alone, ridden.
For highlights of the Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha riders in South Florida–including an interview with Cameron–check out this video:
You’ll also meet Rick Williams, Team Manager of Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha, who talks about how the team relies so heavily on Yamaha Generators, both in the paddock and right out on the starting grid.
Look for more videos to come from both of the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams: Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha and Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha.
Cypress, CA October 1, 2012 – At Round 11 of the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing series, two-time defending AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Champion Josh Hayes became the three-time SuperBike Champ, despite facing a rare bit of adversity over the weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The changeable South Florida weather made for a bit of extra drama as Josh crashed unhurt, remounted his #1 R1 and rejoined the race in 20th, and then finished 12th in SuperBike Race One, which delayed his title win by one more day. On Sunday, it all came good for Josh and his Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha crew as “Hurricane” Hayes won SuperBike Race Two and, in doing so, secured his third consecutive title.
Meanwhile, Josh Herrin, rider of the #2 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R1, also battled adversity at Homestead-Miami. He finished 19th in Saturday’s Race One after running off the track and suffering a tipover, but then, he bounced back to finish 4th in Sunday’s Race Two.
For an up-close look at the two Joshes in action from Homestead-Miami, check out this video:
Also, in the video, you’ll get to meet Tom Halverson, who is the Team Manager for Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha and has worked for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., for more than 25 years. Tom talks about what a privilege it is to work for Yamaha, as well as with such a great group of team members and team sponsors.
Look for more videos to come from both of the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams: Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha and Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha.
Jersey? Sure! Josh Hayes Ties Record For Consecutive Poles In AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike
Millville, NJ September 8, 2012 – After setting provisional pole in yesterday’s first qualifying session, two-time defending SuperBike Champion and Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha rider Josh Hayes kept his #1 crossplane-crankshaft YZF-R1 at the top of the lap charts and earned his 11th consecutive pole position, which ties him for the AMA Pro Road Racing record in the SuperBike class.
The series has been to nine venues so far this season, including this weekend’s round at the 14-turn, 2.2-mile New Jersey Motorsports Park road course, and Josh has won the pole at every round this year. His record of 11 poles in a row extends back to the final two rounds last season
“I was kind of surprised to see the laptimes as fast as yesterday because of the rain last night, and there were a few damp patches on the track,” Josh commented. “I’ve had four years on my R1, and that’s a big benefit. We know what we have to do to win, and that’s what we’re going to try to do.” Josh has won a total of 11 races so far this season, including eight wins in a row.
Garrett Gerloff Puts The “G” In “Garden State” And Finishes Second At New Jersey In First Race Back From Daytona Injury
Millville, NJ September 8, 2012 – After six months of recuperation, rehabbing, training, waiting, waiting, and more waiting, Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha rider Garrett Gerloff raced hard and finished in a remarkable second place in AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport Race One at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
His Daytona 200 first-practice injury this past March set Garrett back, but he showed steely determination and racecraft belying his 17 years of age in coming back so strong at NJMP, the site of his professional debut last year, in which he won Saturday’s SuperSport race.
Commenting on his first race back, Garrett said, “It feels so good to be on the podium here. It’s not a win but, for me to get second, I couldn’t be happier. Thanks goes to my entire Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha team, my family, and everyone who has been encouraging me all these months. I’m looking forward to getting back out there for tomorrow’s race.”
Devil On A Blue Bike, As Cameron Beaubier Wins Saturday Daytona SportBike Race At New Jersey Motorsports Park
Millville, NJ September 8, 2012 – The American Red Cross Devil’s Showdown saw a devil on a blue bike blitz the field in AMA Pro Go Pro Daytona SportBike, as Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha phenom Cameron Beaubier worked himself to the front, and then into the lead, on the final lap, winning DSB Race One at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
The victory was the fifth out of the past six races for Cameron, who has been on the podium in 10 out of the 12 races he’s started this season.
After his victory, Cameron said, “After the restart, I got shuffled back a little bit, but I just kept working and got myself back up in the front group where I could try to get to the front. I usually like to make my move sooner than the last lap, but these guys race hard, and I had to wait till the end. It all worked out, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Cameron’s teammate and rider of the #22 Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6, Tommy Hayden, finished fifth in today’s DSB Race One, with Race Two set to go green on Sunday at 2:15 PM EST.
Big Hit Records For Josh Hayes As He Wins Saturday SuperBike Race At New Jersey Motorsports Park
Millville, NJ September 8, 2012 – On the track where he holds the overall lap record and had won five of the past six SuperBike races, Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha rider Josh Hayes made it six wins out of the past seven at New Jersey Motorsports Park where he led today’s American Red Cross Devil’s Showdown SuperBike Race One from start to finish.
The result of the race was never in doubt as Josh got the holeshot and immediately pulled a sizeable gap on the rest of the field. When he took the checkered flag after 23 blistering laps, he won the race by more than 22 seconds. It was truly a display of epic dominance by the “Mississippi Madman.”
Josh is also starting to dominate the record books. He’s re-writing history in several categories of the AMA Pro SuperBike series. His nine wins in a row is a new AMA Pro SuperBike single-season, consecutive-win record, and his 12 race wins so far this season moves Josh into a tie for most wins in a single season. Also, Josh takes over sole possession of third place for total career AMA SuperBike victories, with 29.
Following his win, Josh said, “The bike is an incredible machine. The R1 lets me put down fast lap after fast lap, and it never complains.” When asked about his 29 career SuperBike victories, Josh said, “And, all those wins are on a Yamaha. I’m pretty awe-struck by it myself, to tell you the truth. My team, my training program, and my R1… they’re all just the best, and I’m so happy to be where I am.”
Josh’s teammate and rider of the #2 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R1, Josh Herrin, finished sixth in today’s SuperBike Race One. He was still feeling the effects of his hard crash in Friday’s first practice session and hopes to regroup and come back stronger in tomorrow’s SuperBike Race Two.
That second SuperBike race of the weekend is scheduled to start on Sunday at 3:30 PM EST.
Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha’s Garrett Gerloff Hammers New Jersey With A Two By Five
Millville, NJ September 9, 2012 – Following up on his second-place finish in Saturday’s AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport Race One at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha rider Garrett Gerloff finished fifth aboard his #96 Yamaha YZF-R6 in Sunday’s SuperSport Race Two.
Garrett, who started in sixth position on the grid, was shuffled back in the early going, but he went to work moving towards the front as the laps wound down. He was in fifth place with three laps to go and about to move into fourth when the race was unfortunately red-flagged and made official on lap 16 of the 19 laps that were supposed to have run.
All in all, it was a very successful comeback for Garrett, who returned to racing six months after breaking his femur in a crash during the first practice session for the Daytona 200 this past March.
The Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha team will be back in action the weekend after next as they travel to South Florida for the Big Kahuna Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway for Round 11 of the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing series on September 21 through 23. Tommy Hayden and Cameron Beaubier Have An Unfortunate Dance With The Devil In Daytona SportBike Race Two At New Jersey Motorsports Park
Millville, NJ September 9, 2012 – The American Red Cross Devil’s Showdown at New Jersey Motorsports Park was appropriately named, as Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha teammates Tommy Hayden and Cameron Beaubier had an unfortunate showdown with the devil that didn’t end well for either rider.
On lap three of Sunday’s 19-lap AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Race, Tommy was in second-place, with Cameron close behind in third. Unfortunately, water and dirt on the track in turn 7 caused both Y.E.S/Graves/Yamaha R6 riders to go down.
And, they went down hard. Tommy’s bike went completely sideways, tossing the veteran rider towards the sky, with his #22 R6 also cartwheeling in the air. Cameron, right behind Tommy, also hit the water and dirt, and he and his #8 R6 went tumbling, as well. In addition, two other riders were caught up in the melee.
Tommy was down for a while, as his brother, SuperBike rider Roger Hayden, quickly came to his aid. Cameron got up fairly quickly and went to check on his teammate. Once both Yamaha riders got to their feet, Tommy took a ride in the ambulance, while Cameron went back to the pit area to get ready for the restart.
While virtually every Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha and Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha crew member worked feverishly to get Cameron’s bike rebuilt and race ready, SuperBike Champion Josh Hayes spent time in the pit are with Cameron helping him regain his focus.
Unfortunately, time ran out before the team could get Cameron’s bike ready, and he was unable to restart in third place on the grid. His day was done.
Meanwhile, Tommy was transported to the hospital for further evaluation, and he was obviously unable to restart the race.
When asked about the situation, Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha, said, “It’s a terribly unfortunate situation that just shouldn’t have happened. We all knew that it rained hard last night, and that corner has been problematic in the past. Whether it’s a low spot or just susceptible to seepage, there’s been dampness in that turn in previous years. I’ve got two riders banged up, including one in the hospital, and that shouldn’t have happened. Cameron’s bike was so badly damaged that, try as hard as we could, we just couldn’t get it ready for the restart.”
With the Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha team back in action the weekend after next, Tommy’s condition will be closely monitored and more information will be forthcoming later this week. Round 11 of the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing series, the Big Kahuna Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be on September 21 through 23. Lucky 13 For Josh Hayes As He Wins Sunday SuperBike Race At New Jersey Motorsports Park; Teammate Herrin Finishes Second
Millville, NJ September 9, 2012 – Two-time reigning AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Champion and Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha rider Josh Hayes set yet another SuperBike record at New Jersey Motorsports Park where, just like yesterday, he led today’s American Red Cross Devil’s Showdown SuperBike Race Two from start to finish.
Once again, Josh got the holeshot and immediately pulled a gap on the rest of the field. Today, his closest competitor was his teammate Josh Herrin, aboard the #2 Yamaha YZF-R1.
Josh Hayes has now won nine races in a row to extend the AMA Pro SuperBike single-season, consecutive-win record that he set yesterday, and his 13 victories so far this season are a brand-new AMA Pro SuperBike record for most wins in a single season. Josh’s 30 career wins bring him to within two victories of tying for second place in total career AMA SuperBike wins.
After lucky win number 13, Josh said, “I’m not superstitious. I’ll take every race win I get, no matter what number it is. Honestly, we don’t talk much about records on the team. We just want to keep winning as many as we can. If we break records and set new records, that’s great because it shows our success as a team. That’s what’s most important to me.”
After a slow start to the weekend, Josh Herrin acquitted himself well in SuperBike Race Two, as he finished in second place. It was the third one-two finish of the season for the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha duo.
Commenting on his resurgence, Josh said, “This has been a tough weekend for me, so I’m happy to be able to bounce back and get second today. I owed my team that after all their hard work.”
The Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team will be back in action the weekend after next as they travel to South Florida for the Big Kahuna Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway for Round 11 of the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing series on September 21 through 23.
AMA Pro Racing New Jersey Round Graves Motorsports Yamaha
Cypress, CA September 5, 2012 – After a late-summer break in the action, the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams are heading eastbound to south-central New Jersey for Round 10 of the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season. The popular event is this weekend at the 14-turn, 2.25-mile New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey.
MONSTER ENERGY/GRAVES/YAMAHA/: HAYES & HERRIN
AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Champion and Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha lead rider Josh Hayes is returning to the track where he clinched his second consecutive title last year, and he’s looking to continue to build his considerable points lead towards his third SuperBike crown in a row.
Josh holds the track record at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and he’s won five of the past six SuperBike races at NJMP aboard his powerful, crossplane-crankshaft Yamaha YZF-R1. He’s won a total of 11 races so far this season, including eight wins in a row. Josh has also won the pole at every single track that the AMA Pro SuperBike riders have visited this year, which is a gaudy eight pole positions in a row. Is his going to ease off the throttle a little bit on his remarkable season? “Not on your life,” commented Josh. “I race to win and, in fact, with the points lead that I now have in the championship, I want to win just as badly as ever, if not even more so. I’m chasing destiny now, and building on my legacy in this sport that I love.”
Meanwhile, nipping at Josh’s heels more often than the champ would like is a rapidly rising SuperBike rookie who also goes by the name of “Josh.” Of course, it’s Josh Herrin, who is Josh Hayes’ teammate and rider of the #2 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R1. Josh “Holeshot” Herrin has developed a knack for launching his R1 off the starting line and putting himself quickly into the lead or at least in contention for it.
Josh has been on the podium seven times in his past eight starts this season, and he is currently in third place in the SuperBike season points standings. The rookie SuperBike rider is highly experienced in AMA Pro Road Racing, however, and he currently owns the Daytona SportBike track record at New Jersey Motorsports Park, having won one of the two DSB races at NJMP last season and winning both races in 2009 aboard an R6. “I like the track at New Jersey,” Josh said. “The fans there are so awesome, and last year, I gave away my helmet to one of them in the podium crowd. We’ll see if I can have the same kind of celebration this weekend.”
YAMAHA EXTENDED SERVICE/GRAVES/YAMAHA: BEAUBIER, HAYDEN & GERLOFF
Cameron Beaubier’s stock is very much on the upswing. He’s won four of the past five AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike races aboard his #6 Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6, and he’s coming off the biggest DSB victory of his career on the world stage at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Cameron has been on the podium in 9 out of the 11 races he’s started and, like Josh Hayes, he’s got his eyes firmly fixed on the prize, which is, of course, race wins. “I want to win them all,” Cameron said. “I’m not being greedy, I’m just being realistic. People say I’m a nice guy, but this nice guy doesn’t like to finish anywhere except at the front. I’m healthy, and I’ve got the best team and the best bike out there. Let’s get after it.”
Well, “Y.E.S.,” by all means, get after it, but you’ve got a crafty veteran in your midst, Cameron, and he’s riding the same R6 as you, but with a familiar number. Of course, that’s the signature #22 and fan favorite Tommy Hayden, who is Cameron’s Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha teammate.
Tommy is currently tied for third place with Cameron in the DSB season points standings, having been on the podium five times this season, but it’s a win that he wants. He’ll have his ever-loyal friends and family from back home in Owensboro with him in attendance at New Jersey, and he’ll being trying hard to do them all proud by notching that elusive win. Tommy has been in contention and in the lead group on many an occasion this year, and no one’s got more experience on the track than the eldest Hayden brother, so don’t count him out just yet.
The third member of the Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha team, Garrett Gerloff, will get a hero’s welcome at New Jersey Motorsports Park, as he returns to action fully fit from the leg injury he suffered in the first practice session for the Daytona 200 this past March. Garrett is returning to the track where he notched his first professional career road racing victory last fall, at New Jersey in the Saturday SuperSport race.
To begin his comeback, Garrett will, once again, compete in the AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport series aboard his #96 Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6.
MEET THE YAMAHA ROAD RACING TEAM RIDERS AT DEPTFORD YAMAHA
On Friday night, September 7 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, be sure to stop by Deptford Yamaha at 1300 Clements Bridge Road in nearby Deptford, New Jersey. Josh Hayes, Josh Herrin, Cameron Beaubier, Tommy Hayden, and Garrett Gerloff will all be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs, and give away posters.
In addition, Josh Hayes will be giving away special commemorative Yamaha 2011 SuperBike Champion T-Shirts to fans who attend the event at Deptford Yamaha and correctly answer the Josh Hayes Trivia Question. To find out how to win, all you need to do is “like” Yamaha on Facebook or follow Josh on Twitter @hayes131.
TUNE INTO SPEED TV
Motorcycle road racing is the most exciting form of motorsports in the world, and there’s truly nothing like seeing it live and in person. But, if you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action from New Jersey Motorsports Park on Speed TV. For the exact days and times of the telecasts, be sure to check your local listings, or go to www.SpeedTV.com for more information.
FOLLOW Graves Motorsports on: Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/GravesMotorsports and Twitter @Gravesport
Introducing the 2012 Graves Motorsports race teams, riders and motorcycle “Profile Pages!” Featuring Monster Energy / Graves / Yamaha -and – Y.E.S. / Graves / Yamaha – Pro Racing Teams. Competing in the 2012 AMA Pro Racing Superbike and Daytona Sportbike championship series with riders Josh Hayes, Josh Herrin, Cameron Beaubier, Garrett Gerloff and Tommy Hayden (profile page coming soon).
For a limited time use coupon code “gravesracing” (in the coupon section of our checkout page for 15% off saving off retail purchases of $100 or more (not valid for dealer or WORKS customer sales).
AMA Monster Energy Graves Yamaha Y.E.S. Homestead Testing
Monster Energy Graves Yamaha / Y.E.S. Graves Yamaha rider comments provided from a recent AMA Pro Racing press release yesterday from the Homestead, Miami testing.
Quotes from Day 1:
Josh Hayes (No. 1 Monster Energy Graves Yamaha YZF-R1) – “I rode here in 1999 and in 2001, when I rode for John Ulrich, but I think the track has changed a little bit because the banking is different than when I rode it last. I can honestly tell you I didn’t remember too much of it; when I thought of the last turn I thought of Loudon; when I thought of the turn onto the back straight I think I was really thinking of Phoenix; and turn one I think I was thinking of Texas World Speedway. You know, it was like trying to put all of the pieces together as to where I really was. It felt like it was totally new to me, I don’t remember much about it. Things are going okay, we made some progress. As we’re making progress, those guys are moving forward too. We have a little bit of catching up to do but at some point they’re going to stall and hopefully we’ll just keep going until we catch up to them. All in all, I can’t complain.”
Cameron Beaubier (No. 6 Y.E.S./Graves Yamaha YZF-R6) – “We are just trying to get the suspension dialed in for when we come back for the race. My bike worked really well all day. The track is pretty cool, it flows really well and it was a lot of fun today. I really like the last section, the right-left, because you just throw the bike around and then drive it out, it’s pretty cool.”
Tommy Hayden (No. 8 Y.E.S./Graves Yamaha YZF-R6) – “The day went pretty well, I was happy with it. It nice to get out there and just get a little more relaxed, start trying to get used to a 600 a little bit and get used to the team a little more. We addressed a few small things to get me a little more comfortable. We steadily chipped away at everything today, chipped away at the lap time a little bit. I’m definitely a little more competitive than I was at Daytona. I’m feeling pretty good, I had a fun day. This is a pretty cool track, I hadn’t really ridden here before. I enjoyed myself.”
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.
