Hayden Domination
Defending class champion Roger Hayden focused solely on the Superbike class in his return to action at Laguna Seca. However, should he return to Supersport duty in Ohio, he will be a man to watch. While the '07 Supersport race was rained out, he won Supersport races at Mid-Ohio in '04, '05, and '06.
AMA FORMULA XTREME
Back From Extended Vacation
The AMA Formula Xtreme class will compete for the first time in nearly two months after taking the Laguna Seca weekend off.
Jake Zemke is in control, leading second-ranked Steve Rapp by 32 points (202-170). However, Zemke had a four-race win streak snapped last time out when Aaron Gobert gave Rockwall Honda its first-ever AMA win in difficult, wet and dry conditions at Road America.
Hayes Still Looking for His First of '08
Erion Honda's two-time defending class champion, Josh Hayes, fourth in the point standings, has yet to scoop up a win in '08 after claiming 11 combined victories in 2007.
Hayes has shown more speed than luck this season but Mid-Ohio has been a strong circuit for him in recent trips, winning the last two FX races at the track, including his epic battle with Eric Bostrom for the title at the 2006 season finale.
AMA SUPERSTOCK SERIES PRESENTED BY DYNOJET
Another Return
Like Formula Xtreme, the AMA Superstock class sat out at Laguna Seca. In addition, the Superstock race was rained out at Mid-Ohio in '07, so the upcoming race will mark a long-anticipated return to action in more ways than one.
Consistent Yates the Man to Catchm
Jordan Suzuki's Aaron Yates holds a convincing championship advantage (203 to Corona Extra Honda Racing rider Jake Holden's 181) thanks to either winning or finishing as the runner-up in each of the six races this season. However, after winning the first two, the Georgian has been 'relegated' to second in each of the last four.
Yates won the Superstock race at Mid-Ohio in 2005. Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki's Chris Ulrich (2002) is the only other former Mid-Ohio Superstock race winner in the field. He currently sits seventh in points.
New Stars and Firsts
While Yates and Holden took a pair of wins a piece in the first four races, the last two have seen first-time class winners. At Miller Motorsports Park, Yates' Jordan Suzuki teammate, Geoff May, claimed the first AMA race win of his career, while Team M4 EMGO Suzuki's Blake Young did the same a week later at Road America. Ulrich's teammate, Robertino Pietri, claimed the first AMA podium of his career, also at Road America.