Yates wraps up Superstock crown

From AMA Pro Racing

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Aaron Yates captured the AMA Superstock Series presented by Dynojet championship with a valiant ride in front of his hometown fans on Sunday at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA.

The Michael Jordan Motor Sports Suzuki-sponsored rider finished just 0.044 seconds behind his teammate, Geoff May, at the checkered flag, as the two wheelied out of the last corner in their final lunge to the stripe.

Yates celebrated his fifth AMA Superbike Championship series national title and the first for his team, close to home.

"I've got a lot of friends and family and fans out there," said the hard-riding Georgian. "Now there's no pressure going into the last race. I'm happy to get the championship for the Jordan Suzuki team. They definitely deserve the Number One plate."

Although the 34-year-old veteran has led the series all year with tremendous consistency -- four wins, and five runner-up finishes in nine races -- the class has featured great racing and a few milestones.

The third race, at Auto Club Speedway, saw Corona Honda Racing's Jake Holden earn Honda its first win in the 21-year history of this open-class clash. May won his first-ever AMA national race in the fifth round at Miller Motorsports Park. M4 EMGO Suzuki rider Blake Young, 21, scored the maiden victory of his young career at Road America. He backed that up with his first pole position at Road Atlanta.

With 46 wins in his AMA professional career, the decorated Yates now adds the 2008 Superstock title to his 1995 SuperTeams championship, which he followed up with the '96 750 Supersport crown, the '02 Supersport title, and the '05 Superstock championship.