From a press release issued way late by 1-888-FASTLAP, which we’re running anyway because Opie Caylor usually runs near the front of these races:

1-888-FASTLAP RIDERS CAUGHT IN FIRST-LAP CRASH; FINISH 18TH AND 19TH IN SUPERSTOCK AT LAGUNA

MONTEREY, Calif.- 1-888-FASTLAP riders Opie Caylor and Brian Stokes got caught up in a crash on the first lap of the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock race at Laguna Seca Raceway on July 13th, falling to the back of the field before working their way to finishes of 18th and 19th, respectively.

Both Caylor and Stokes got good starts that put them among the top ten. When they reached turn two, however, another rider lowsided and they and several other riders got caught up in the crash.

Caylor, who rides the 1-888-FASTLAP/Team EMGO Taiwan Suzuki GSX-R750, was unable to avoid the incident and also crashed.

“All I could see in front of me was Jason (DiSalvo) on the ground,” said Caylor. “I remember my front tire hitting his left leg, and then I went over my bars. As soon as I stood up I made sure there were no more bikes coming, and then I ran over to pick my bike up. The peg and rearset on the right were broken, but still hanging on. I cranked it up and took off. I was dead last and just started making up spots. My right foot was resting on the exhaust, so I had to take it off on the straights to let it cool down. We still got a decent number of points and moved up a place in the championship, but we were capable of doing a lot better.

“I’m looking forward to going to Mid-Ohio. I did well there last year. I like the track and the fans are a lot of fun.”

Caylor fought his way from last among the 35 remaining riders to 18th, which has moved him into sixth in Superstock points.

Stokes, riding the Team Embry Suzuki GSX-R750, was forced to run off the track to avoid the crash. He was also able to get back on the track to continue.

“I got a good start. I was eighth or ninth into turn two on the first lap,” reflected Stokes. “I went halfway through the gravel trap before I could get slowed down. We were all at the back of the field after getting back on the track and I worked my way up to 19th.”

Caylor and Stokes both ran the AMA Superbike race, held the day before. Caylor ran the race in order to work on his chassis setup, and rode to a finish of 14th. “After the Superbike race, I knew some changes that needed to be made to the bike,” said Caylor. “We made the changes that night, and the next morning I finally got down to the 1:29’s.”

Stokes was forced to retire from the Superbike race after dehydration caused his leg to cramp and go numb. He began a rehydrating regimen that allowed him to be in top form for the Superstock race the next day.

1-888-FASTLAP owner Paul Wright finished 34th in the MBNA 250 Grand Prix race after a number of difficulties. The race was red-flagged twice, first on the warm-up lap and then on the first lap, both because of crashes. Wright lost all the heat he had built up in his tires, and had to take the second restart cautiously.

Wright fell to the back of the field in the opening laps, but once his tires were warm he began to catch and pass other riders. “In the end it went okay. I was just happy to make the race,” commented Wright. “I had no crew and a lot of difficulties, but I made the race and I had a good time.”

The next race for the 1-888-FASTLAP riders will be during the AMA round at Mid-Ohio, July 25-27.