Larry Pegram (Ducati) and Tommy Hayden (Suzuki) split the honours during the second round of the 2010 AMA Superbike series presented at the Auto Club circuit in Fontana, California.

At the start of the 1st of two races, Jake Zemke (Suzuki) got the better over pole sitter Aaron Yates (Suzuki) heading into turn one. Larry Pegram (Ducati) ran third, followed by fast-starting Suzuki rider John Hopkins.

Photo : Suzuki

As the front group battled, seventh place Josh Hayes (Yamaha) was finding his way to the lead and eventually took over on lap eleven. Hayes managed to pull a slight gap as Young ran wide and lost ground to the lead group.

By lap 15 of the 21-lap final, the first four had broken away, with a slight lead for Hayes. As the race wound down, each rider seemed to have a strong shot at the win before Hayes dropped back, making it a three-horse race of Yates, Pegram and Zemke.

Pegram made the pass for the lead in the infield section on lap 18 and held on for a hard fought victory, followed by Zemke, Yates and Hayes.

Race 2 saw a different ending, as Suzuki’s Tommy Hayden bounced back from a disappointing Saturday race in the windy conditions to score his very first Superbike win.

The race started without its pole sitter as Aaron Yates had fallen in the Sunday morning warm-up. His Jordan Suzuki team reported a probable broken leg as the major injury.

Saturday winner Larry Pegram took the lead from the start with a hard charging Josh Hayes in second, closely followed by John Hopkins (Suzuki), Hayden and Blake Young.
(Suzuki). Hayes passed Pegram for the lead on lap two, with Hopkins falling back as Blake Young and then, a few laps later, Jake Zemke got by him.

The first three riders broke away, as Pegram powered by Hayes on lap five while Hayden ran a patient third. Pegram slowed on lap nine, stopper in the pits and then completed half the race distance to secure three championship points.

Back up front, it was a three-man race as Hayden started to inch closer to Hayes before passing him for the lead at the start of lap 18, and then pulled away for his first AMA Superbike victory. Blake Young made a run on Hayes but fell just short at the flag.

Road Atlanta is next on the AMA Pro Road Racing schedule is, on April 16-18.

AMA Superbike Fontana Race No.1- Round 2
Pos. Rider Bike
1. Larry Pegram Ducati
2. Jake Zemke Suzuki
3. Aaron Yates Suzuki
4. Josh Hayes Yamaha
5. Blake Young Suzuki
6. Tommy Hayden Suzuki
7. Etc….

AMA Superbike Fontana Race No.2- Round 2
Pos. Rider Bike
1. Tommy Hayden Suzuki
2. Josh Hayes Yamaha
3. Blake Young Suzuki
4. Jake Zemke Suzuki
5. John Hopkins Suzuki
6. Ben Bostrom Yamaha

AMA Superbike Standings – After Second round
Pos. Rider Points
1 Jake Zemke 106
2 Tommy Hayden 95
3 Larry Pegram 70
4 Josh Hayes 67
5 Blake Young 67