The following is from Yoshimura…
ELKHART LAKE, WI (June 3, 2013) – Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Martin Cardenas claimed the championship points lead this weekend in the 2013 AMA Pro Superbike Championship series at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. Cardenas raced his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 to two spectacular podium finishes at the fast, flowing racetrack and was one of four Suzuki riders to finish in the top 10.
Yoshimura Suzuki’s Cardenas started the weekend by qualifying second and picking up a front row starting position. In Saturday’s race, he got off the line cleanly and turned fast, consistent laps to bring home second. On Sunday, he got an even better start on his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 and took the holeshot. Cardenas went on to lead the field for several laps before eventually finishing second again.
“It was a good weekend,” said Cardenas. “Sunday’s race was better than Saturday. On Sunday, I got a really good start on the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 and the first few laps were good. But I got passed and couldn’t quite keep up. But toward the end of the race I got into a good rhythm and we got a little bit closer. The bike was working great and I’m happy with the results this weekend. Now I’m just looking forward to the next race at Barber.”
Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Chris Clark struggled at Road America. He suffered mechanical issues during qualifying and had off-track excursions in both races. Despite this, he still put forth the best effort possible, finishing 12th and 14th, respectively, in Saturday and Sunday’s races.
“It was a bit of an off weekend,” admitted Clark. “During the first race, I had a decent start but another rider tried to pass me and ran us both off the track. On Sunday, we had an unfortunate issue on the warm-up lap. Luckily the first start was delayed and we were able to make the second start, but in last place. Even though I got another good start on the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000, I made a mistake trying to make up positions and ran off track. Now I’m just focusing on getting a good result at Barber.”
The Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team’s next event of the 2013 AMA Pro Superbike Championship series is at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL, the weekend of June 21 – 23, 2013.
Road America Superbike Results, Race 1:
1. Josh Hayes
2. Martin Cardenas
3. Roger Hayden
4. Larry Pegram
5. Danny Eslick
6. Josh Herrin
7. Geoff May
8. David Anthony
9. Chris Fillmore
10. Cory West
Road America Superbike Results, Race 2:
1. Josh Hayes
2. Martin Cardenas
3. Josh Herrin
4. Roger Hayden
5. Danny Eslick
6. Larry Pegram
7. David Anthony
8. Chris Fillmore
9. Aaron Yates
10. Cory West
2013 Superbike Standings:
1. Martin Cardenas – 105
2. Josh Herrin – 92
3. Larry Pegram – 75
4. Josh Hayes – 71
5. Danny Eslick – 66
6. Roger Hayden – 57
7. Chris Fillmore – 49
8. Chris Clark – 48
9. David Anthony – 47
10. Chris Ulrich – 36
