News - March 27 - Fontana

March 27Rockstar Makita Suzuki battles high winds in Fontana

Fontana, Calif. - March 28, 2010 - Battling the extremely windy conditions in Fontana, California, and the field of competitors, the Rockstar Makita Suzuki SuperBike team managed two top-10 finishes on Saturday. The first of a doubleheader at the Auto Club Speedway, Saturday's race was postponed until the 50-mile-an-hour winds calmed down enough for the racers to take to the track.

Blake Young on the No. 79 GSX-R1000 and Tommy Hayden on the No. 22 GSX-R1000 took their spot on the starting grid after only a 10-minute warm-up session before the race. The grid was determined by Friday's early qualifying races, as the weather more conducive to racing.

At the start of the race, Young and Hayden shot out in the middle of the top-10 riders. Young managed to work his way closer to the front of the pack, where the top five racers were trading spots in close quarters. He made it all the way to third place by the middle of the 21-lap race, but as all the leaders on Saturday encountered the ill effects of the gusting winds, Young was pushed slightly off course and pushed back into fifth place where he finished the race.

Hayden initially struggled off the start, and battled his way up to a sixth-place finish. Hayden was second in points going into the race, and now is currently in third.

Seven of the top 10 racers were riding the Suzuki GSX-R1000, including two on the podium.

The second race of the doubleheader at Auto Club Speedway will be held on Sunday and shown on Speed. Without the winds, expect the racing to be faster and even better than yesterday.

In the Daytona SportBike class, Martin Cardenas captured the win, and Danny Eslick finished second, both riding the GSX-R600.