AMA SBK: Daytona Thursday Ticker

Notes and quotes following the opening day of the 2013 AMA Pro Road Racing season...

Media Release | Posted March 14, 2013 Daytona Beach, FL

Monster Energy Graves Yamaha's Josh Hayes (Photo: Brian J Nelson)

Monster Energy Graves Yamaha

Picking up right where he left off last year, three-time reigning National Guard Superbike Champion Josh Hayes qualified on the provisional pole in the first qualifying session at Daytona.

Josh, who captured a record-tying 10 poles last season on the way to his third consecutive SuperBike Championship, has been his usual lightning-fast self right from the start at Daytona.

Commenting on his first Q session of the season, Josh said, “I think we’ve made a good start. I left myself some pretty big shoes to fill after the season we had last year, but I think my Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team and I are up to the challenge. It was a lot cooler today than we’re used to here at Daytona, and that affected laptimes quite a bit. I expect to go faster in tomorrow morning’s qualifying, and I can’t wait for the race tomorrow afternoon.”

Also on the gas is Josh Herrin, who rides the #2 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YR1 SuperBike. Herrin qualified in third position for the first session.

The second SuperBike qualifying session is scheduled for Friday, March 15, at 10:35 AM, and SuperBike Race 1 will go green later on Friday at 4:00 PM. SuperBike Race 2 is set for Saturday, March 16 at 11:00 AM. Check your local TV listings for Speed TV’s telecast of both races.

Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha

Seven-race winner from last season Cameron Beaubier was a man on a mission in both of today’s practice sessions for the Daytona 200. Cam put his #6 Yamaha YZF-R6 at the top of the charts right from the outset and kept himself there throughout both practices. His Y.E.S./Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha teammate Garrett Gerloff was fifth in morning practice, sixth in the afternoon session, and very much in the hunt for an excellent starting position for the Daytona 200. Three qualifying sessions will take place Friday, March 15, for the Daytona 200, and the race will go green on Saturday, March 16, at 1:00 PM. Check your local TV listings for Speed TV’s telecast of the Daytona 200.

For more news, results, and other team info, be sure to check out Yamaha’s Facebook page and follow the team on Twitter @YamahaMotorUSA

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