Pegram ends Superbike pole drought

From AMA Pro Racing

TOPEKA, KS - Larry Pegram (No. 72 Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing Ducati 1098R) won his first AMA Pro Road Racing pole since 1996 in AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike competition in Friday's Superpole qualifying for the Tornado Nationals presented by BriggsAuto.com at Heartland Park Topeka.

Pegram paced a competitive group of American Superbike competitors that saw four different manufacturers on the front row for the first time since the May 2002 race at Road Atlanta. It was also the first Superbike pole for Pegram since the 1996 Road America race and the first for Ducati since Eric Bostrom qualified first at Daytona in March 2004.

"I actually feel really good because I usually really screw up in Superpole," said Pegram, who clinched the top spot with a lap time of 1:36.368 (93.392 mph). "I felt like I left a little bit out there like I normally do, but it was good enough to hold on. I'm really happy. My guys have worked so hard and there has really been rejuvenation this season by being back on a bike that is capable of winning."

Pegram and Ducati will share the front row with Aaron Yates (No. 23 Brand Jordan Suzuki GSX-R1000), Jake Holden (No. 59 Holden Racing Honda CBR1000RR) and Ben Bostrom (No. 2 Yamaha Motor Corp. USA Yamaha R1) for the most diverse American Superbike front row in more than seven years.

"It was a pretty decent lap and no big dramas or moments, or anything," said Yates, who clocked in second overall and the fastest Suzuki at 1:36.513 (93.252 mph). "I let off a little over the hill in Turn 1 and slowed down a little too much for the switchback there. I was off a few tenths in the second segment, I think, which I have been struggling there all weekend, but I was pretty strong in the other end of the track and got through there good. I just barely missed out."

Holden joined Corona Extra teammate Neil Hodgson (No. 100 Corona Extra Honda CBR1000RR) as the only Honda riders in Superpole and qualified a solid third with a lap of 1:36.540 (93.226 mph). Holden was also the fastest rider in American Superbike group qualifying earlier on Friday.

Bostrom represented Yamaha on the front row with a fourth-place qualifying lap of 1:36.643 (93.126 mph).  He held the top spot for the majority of the middle of the session but knew his lap likely wouldn't hold up for the pole.

Bostrom's teammate Josh Hayes (No. 4 Yamaha Motor Corp. USA Yamaha R1) qualified fifth.

Saturday's first American Superbike race of the weekend is scheduled for 20 laps/50 miles.

American Superbike Qualifying Results (Top 10 decided in Superpole)
1. Larry Pegram (Foremost Insurance · Pegram Racing Ducati) Ducati 1098R 1:36.367
2. Aaron Yates (Jordan Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +0.144
3. Jake Holden (Holden Racing) Honda CBR1000RR +0.171
4. Ben Bostrom (Yamaha Motor Corp. USA) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.274
5. Josh Hayes (Yamaha Motor Corp. USA) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.625
6. Michael Laverty (Celtic Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +0.758
7. Blake Young (Rockstar · Makita · Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +0.895
8. Tommy Hayden (Rockstar · Makita · Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 +1.112
9. Neil Hodgson (Corona Extra Honda) Honda CBR1000RR +1.301
10. Geoff May (National Guard Jordan Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 no time
11. Taylor Knapp (Taylor Knapp Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:38.061
12. Chris Ulrich (Roadracingworld.com · Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:38.835
13. Scott Charlton (Aussie Dave Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:39.414
14. Ron Hix (Hix Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:40.222
15. Scott Jensen (Moto Garage Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:40.544
16. Dominic Jones (Moto Garage Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:40.787
17. Shawn Higbee (Higbee-Racing.com) Buell 1125R 1:41.089
18. Walt Sipp (Walt Sipp Racing) Buell 1125R 1:41.901
19. Eric Haugo (Liberty Waves Racing 2) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:42.045
20. Dean Mizdal (M Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:42.136
21. Reno Karimian (Team Reno) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:42.178
22. Josh Graham (Moto Garage Racing) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:42.378
23. Marcin Biernacki (Biernacki Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:44.691