Yoshimura Suzuki’s Toni Elias Clinches 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship
| September 9, 2017
2017 MotoAmerica New Jersey Saturday Results – Toni Elias didn’t need to win Saturday at New Jersey Motorsports Park, but the 34-year-old Spaniard found he had the speed. He moved his Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike to the front eight laps into the 23-lap race and held off Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing teammate Roger Hayden at the finish line by 0.039 seconds to win his ninth race of the season.
2017 MotoAmerica New Jersey Saturday Results
In the process Elias clinched the 2017 Motul MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with three races remaining.
Elias, a former Moto2 World Champion, now adds a MotoAmerica Superbike title to his résumé.
“I am so happy,” said Elias, who becomes the first rider from Spain in the 41-year history of the series to win MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike title. “It was amazing to take the championship by winning. That was the way I wanted to do it, but Roger and Josh (Hayes) were riding so strong it was not easy. I am so thankful to my crew, to Yoshimura and Suzuki for giving me this amazing opportunity.”
Elias’ family made the trip over from Spain and was able to enjoy the championship with him.
Earlier in the day, Hayden won Superpole for the sixth time this season and set a new motorcycle track record at NJMP at 1:20.378.
It was a great three-way battle for most of the race with Hayden moving up and trying a last-lap draft on Elias on the main straight, but came up a half-bike length short. Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha’s Josh Hayes completed the podium in third place, followed by Josh Herrin, who is filling in for the injured Cameron Beaubier, the 2016 champ, on the Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Team for the rest of the season.
Danny Eslick (Yamaha) was the top Superstock 1000 rider in sixth overall.
Racing at NJMP continues Sunday, including MotoAmerica Superbike Race 2. The series concludes next weekend at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.
2017 MotoAmerica New Jersey Saturday Results
SUPERBIKE/SUPERSTOCK 1000
Race One:
- Toni Elias (Suz)
- Roger Hayden (Suz)
- Josh Hayes (Yam)
- Josh Herrin (Yam)
- Jake Gagne (Hon)
- Kyle Wyman (Yam)
- Danny Eslick (Yam)
- Jake Lewis (Suz)
- Mathew Scholtz (Yam)
- Hayden Gillim (Suz)