Spies Rides GSX-R750 To AMA Superstock Pole, New Lap Record

Spies Rides GSX-R750 To AMA Superstock Pole, New Lap Record

© 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies surprised himself and the entire paddock Saturday at Barber Motorsports Park by earning pole position for the AMA Superstock (1000cc) race with a new lap record of 1:26.626 on a 2004-model GSX-R750.

“I knew I could’ve went faster on it (GSX-R1000) and gone faster for two laps, but we’re having front fork issues – after three laps the front tire kind of goes to crap,” Spies told reporters. “We knew we had to race the 750. We knew it might not be strong in qualifying, but in the race, it would be good. We’re just kind of looking at the Championship right now.

“To get the pole, right now, is surprising. I know it shocked some people and hopefully scared some people.”

Spies’ time eclipsed the old Superstock record of 1:27.708, set by defending AMA Superstock Champion Josh Hayes on a GSX-R750 last year.

The pole position is the 13th in 14 1000cc races (Formula Xtreme and Superstock) for Spies since 2003.

Riding a YZF-R1, Jason DiSalvo’s 1:26.851 put him second on the grid, ahead of his three Graves Yamaha teammates Damon Buckmaster (3rd, 1:26.991), Jamie Hacking (4th, 1:27.064) and Aaron Gobert (5th, 1:27.291).

Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp, ZX-10R-mounted Roger Lee Hayden, Attack Kawasaki’s Hayes and Rapp’s teammate Vincent Haskovec rounded out the top 10 qualifiers.

Rapp and Haskovec also qualified (and plan to race) on GSX-R750s.

Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:26.626
2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.851
3. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:26.991
4. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.064
5. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:27.291
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.400
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.411
8. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.443
9. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:27.446
10. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:27.474
11. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:27.955
12. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.194
13. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.330
14. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.487
15. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.552
16. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.824
17. David Weber, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.111
18. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.161
19. Jason Curtis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.686
20. Christian Pistoni, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.044
21. Montez Stewart, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:32.838
22. Brian Hall, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.165
23. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:33.568
24. William Johnson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.069
25. Michael Hanley, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.641
26. James Kerker, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:36.057
27. Robert Deily, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.959
28. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 2:04.514

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