Spies takes Superbike pole

From Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, CA - Ben Spies posted the top time on Friday at Infineon Raceway in provisional qualifying for the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts.

Spies (Suzuki) clocked a time of 1 minute, 35.840 seconds during the 90-minute qualifying session for Superbike in steamy 90-degree temperatures in the Sonoma Valley. Spies, the two-time defending AMA Superbike champion, is on a two-race win streak after sweeping the doubleheader at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana in April.

"The bike is working good, and we're working more on race set-up," said Spies. "It's hot out there, so the track record (1:34.991) wasn't really going to happen today. It was pretty good and hopefully there's more to come tomorrow."

Spies was followed by teammate Mat Mladin (1:36.423), Yamaha's Jason Disalvo (1:36.600) and Eric Bostrom (Yamaha, 1:36.655). Mladin, the most decorated rider in AMA history with six Superbike championships and 66 victories, entered the weekend with a 20-point lead over Spies (178-158).

"We need a good weekend right now with where we are in the points," Spies said.

In other qualifying on Friday, Jake Zemke (Honda) took the pole for Formula Xtreme with a time of 1:36.853. The time broke the track record held by Josh Hayes (2007, 1:37.244). Zemke won the 2005 Formula Xtreme title at Infineon Raceway.

"This track is one of the better tracks we go to on the circuit for the riders," said Zemke. "For this race it's important to be in the front row and a good start is a good way to go. It's going to take a lot of fast laps to win."

Zemke was followed by Steve Rapp (Kawasaki, 1:37.185). Josh Hayes (Honda, 1:37.678) and Chaz Davies (Kawasaki, 1:37.949) rounded out the top four.

Final qualifying for Superbike takes place Saturday morning, which will set the grid for Saturday afternoon's 28-lap main event. Formula Xtreme will run its 17-lap main event also on Saturday.

PROVISIONAL SUPERBIKE
1. Ben Spies (Suzuki, 1:35.840)
2. Mat Mladin (Suzuki, 1:36.423)
3. Jason Disalvo (Yamaha, 1:36.600)
4. Eric Bostrom (Yamaha, 1:36.655)
5. Jamie Hacking (Kawasaki, 1:36.854)
6. Neil Hodgson (Honda, 1:37.205)
7. Aaron Yates (Suzuki, 1:37.338)
8. Miguel Duhamel (Honda, 1:37.643)
9. Matt Lynn (Honda, 1:37.874)
10. Geoff May (Suzuki, 1:37.892)

FORMULA XTREME
1. Jake Zemke (Honda, 1:36.853*)
2. Steve Rapp (Kawasaki, 1:37.185)
3. Josh Hayes (Honda, 1:37.678)
4. Chaz Davies (Kawasaki, 1:37.949)
5. Cory West (Suzuki, 1:38.291)
6. Aaron Gobert (Honda, 1:38.327)
7. Larry Pegram (Ducati, 1:38.357)
8. Danny Eslick (Suzuki, 1:38.678)
9. Fernando Amantini (Kawasaki, 1:40.799)
10. Nicky Moore (Kawasaki, 1:40.838)