Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Attack Suzuki’s Josh Hayes drew one step closer to becoming the 2003 AMA Superstock Champion Friday at Barber Motorsports Park when he earned pole position for the final race of the series and the one bonus point that comes with it.

Hayes used “soft” Dunlop DOT-labeled tires on his Suzuki GSX-R750 to turn a 1:27.707 to best all riders and establish a new lap record for the class at Barber. But more importantly, Hayes extended his Championship lead from eight to nine points. This means that if Tommy Hayden, number two in the Superstock point standings, leads the most laps and wins Saturday’s Superstock race, Hayes can finish third and still win the Championship.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp made his bike better with set-up changes throughout the 30-minute qualifying session and finished with a 1:28.157 on his Michelin-shod Suzuki GSX-R750, second-fastest.

Team EMGO Taiwan’s Chris “Opie” Caylor used Pirelli’s DOT-labeled qualifying tires on his Suzuki GSX-R750 and a tow from Hayes to record a third-fastest 1:28.195.

Vincent Haskovec came back from a crash in practice Friday morning to claim the final spot on the front row with a 1:28.197 on his Pirelli-sponsored Hooters Suzuki GSX-R750.

Hayden got held up on his last, fast lap, ended with a 1:28.295 on his Dunlop-equipped, 636cc Kawasaki and will have to start Saturday’s 17-lap final from the fifth grid spot. Adam Fergusson, Brian Stokes and Jason DiSalvo will line up beside Hayden on the second row.

Haskovec, who is 20 points behind Hayes in the point standings, is the only other rider with a mathematical chance at winning the 2003 AMA Superstock Championship.

AMA Superstock Qualifying Results (all on Suzuki GSX-R750s unless noted):

1. Josh Hayes, 1:27.707
2. Steve Rapp, 1:28.157
3. Chris Caylor, 1:28.195
4. Vincent Hakovec, 1:28.197
5. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:28.295
6. Adam Fergusson, 1:28.465
7. Brian Stokes, 1:28.600
8. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:28.744
9. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:28.777
10. John Haner, 1:28.882
11. Mike Ciccotto, 1:29.213
12. Eric Wood, 1:29.419
13. Jake Holden, 1:29.705
14. James Ellison, 1:29.721
15. Lee Acree, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.923
16. Chris Ulrich, 1:30.051
17. David Weber, 1:30.067
18. Corey Eaton, 1:30.642
19. Jason Peters, 1:30.733
20. Danny Eslick, 1:30.874
21. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.877
22. Jeremy Toye, 1:30.976
23. Travis King, 1:31.442
24. Darren Luck, 1:31.821
25. Scott Jensen, 1:31.954
26. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:31.981
27. Matt McBride, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1;32.216
28. Chuck Ivey, 1:32.327
29. Tom Wertman, 1:32.383
30. Darin Edwards, 1:32.401
31. Marco Martinez, 1:32.461
32. J.J. Roetlin, 1:32.740
33. Arash Hoshmandy, 1:32.941
34. Logan Young, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:33.366
35. Nathan Hester, 1:33.455
36. Heath Small, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:33.938
37. John McGarity, 1:34.126
38. Taylor Knapp, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:34.247
39. N. Dressman, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:34.388
40. Joseph Dawson, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:34.502
41. James Stroud, Honda CBR600, 1:34.786
42. Chad Rolland, 1:34.909
43. Eric Haugo, 1:35.212
44. Scotty Van Scoik, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:35.595


More, from a press release issued by Marietta Motorsports:

CAYLOR AND STOKES EARN CAREER BEST QUALIFYING SPOTS FOR 750 SUPERSTOCK AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- 1-888-FASTLAP riders Opie Caylor and Brian Stokes rode to career best qualifying positions in the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Series at Barber Motorsports Park on Friday, September 19, getting a great start to the season finale.

Caylor turned a fast lap of 1:28.197 on the 1-888-FASTLAP/Team EMGO Taiwan Suzuki GSX-R750 to qualify third. Caylor matched his best qualifying position ever in an AMA Pro Racing event after qualifying third at California Speedway earlier this season.

Caylor crashed in practice prior to Superstock qualifying. The bike glanced off a guardrail on the right side of the track and traveled to the left side of the track before falling over, but Caylor was uninjured and the damage to the bike was minimal.

“I went out in qualifying and was in tenth. I was pretty far back,” commented Caylor. “Then I came in for a soft tire and immediately went up to position four or five. I came in for another tire and went back out in the last few minutes. I caught Josh (Hayes) coming up the hill into turn three. I tucked in behind him. I got held up in the last couple of corners by some traffic but it turned out to be my fastest lap.”

Stokes qualified seventh with a fast time of 1:28.600 on the FREEWEBTOWN.COM/Team Embry Suzuki GSX-R750. Stokes’ previous best qualifying position in an AMA event was eighth, which he earned at Road Atlanta.

“I dropped a second and a half in qualifying,” commented Stokes. “Tomorrow I’m really going to go for it. It’s the last race of the year, and I want to prove that I’ll be at the front next season.”

This marks the third weekend in a row that Stokes has ridden at Barber Motorsports Park. He rode in a track day then competed in the WERA National event to earn extra practice time in preparation for the Superstock event.

The 750 Superstock race will be held on Saturday, September 20, following the Superbike and 250 GP races. The racing will get underway at 2:00 p.m. CDT.

More information about Caylor, Stokes and 1-888-FASTLAP can be found on the Internet at www.1888FASTLAP.com.