Hacking Takes Over Third
Monster Energy Kawasaki's Jamie Hacking missed out on a seventh consecutive podium finish by just fractions of a second, but battled his way up to third place in the championship standings, overtaking American Honda's Neil Hodgson by a slim two-point margin (319-317) at Laguna.
Like Spies, Hacking also rode in the MotoGP race. Entered as the oldest-ever MotoGP rookie, 37-year-old Hacking also impressed in his first MotoGP race, charging from 17th to 11th and outpacing the factory Kawasaki team's regular rider, Anthony West, all weekend.
Back on the Box
Aaron Yates passed and then held off Hacking late in the Laguna Seca race to secure Michael Jordan Motor Sports-Suzuki its first AMA Superbike podium of 2008.
The Georgian has certainly tasted success at Mid-Ohio in the past, winning three Superbike races at the circuit (one in '97, and two in '00).
Back in the Fray
Brothers Tommy (Rockstar Makita Suzuki) and Roger Hayden (Monster Energy Kawasaki) made their long-awaited returns from injury at Laguna Seca and were immediately on the pace, mixing it up for podium positions before taking respective fifth- and sixth-place finishes.
AMA PRO HONDA OILS SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY SHOEI
Bostrom Continues to Look Unstoppable
Graves Motorsports Yamaha's Ben Bostrom was perfect at Laguna, picking up his fifth win in seven races.
Bostrom led each practice session, took his fourth pole position of the season and added the Laguna Seca AMA Supersport winner's trophy to the ones he already earned at the venue in World Superbike, AMA Superbike, and AMA Formula Xtreme.
Zemke Chasing From Second
Erion Honda's Jake Zemke--the only rider in shouting distance of Bostrom in the championship standings--minimized the damage by finishing a solid second at Laguna Seca. Zemke picked up his sixth-straight podium finish after taking eighth in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
Bitter Pill to Swallow
Attack Kawasaki's Steve Rapp's 21st place in the championship standings doesn't tell the whole story. Rapp won at Road America and finished third at Laguna Seca but was disqualified in both races following the post-race technical inspection.
His disappointment at Laguna Seca saw Matsushima Performance Suzuki's Danny Eslick elevated to third, his second top three Supersport finish of the season, the first coming at Infineon Raceway.