Mathew Scholtz Returns To The Podium In Sunday’s Superbike Race Two At New Jersey Motorsports Park
Millville, NJ – September 9, 2019 – Aboard the #11 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R1, Mathew Scholtz made a welcome return to the MotoAmerica Superbike podium with a solid third-place finish in Sunday’s race two at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
Mathew qualified on the front row on Saturday and finished fifth in the afternoon’s race one, but after conferring with his team and making some changes in the bike’s setup overnight, he got off to a better start in Sunday’s race two, fought hard to stay in sight of the race leaders, and tenaciously held onto his third-place position all the way to the checkers to complete an all-Yamaha podium.
“I think the season has been a little bit up and down for us,” commented Mathew. “Pittsburgh was the first race weekend where we kind of thought we had something. Our practice times weren’t bad, but I was dropping one to two seconds off every single lap, and I finished thirty-some seconds behind (Yamaha Factory riders) Cam (Beaubier) and (Garrett) Gerloff. So we really thought that we needed something because things were looking bad. The team worked hard to give me a good bike for Sunday in Pittsburgh and that put us in a really good place with our setup, so that was looking good. Obviously, yesterday’s fifth-place result wasn’t what we wanted. We were kind of hoping to at least hang onto the guys in the first five, but that wasn’t the greatest, either, other than the fact that the Westby guys worked really hard and gave me a bike that was really good. This morning’s warmup wasn’t the greatest, but we could tell that our lap times were really consistent. I think, at this track, you have to worry about consistency.
“In Sunday’s race, I banged bars a couple times with (Jake) Lewis and (Kyle) Wyman in the beginning. I got up to a third, and I could see that I was catching JD (Beach) and Cam (Beaubier), but then, they would gap me and I’d catch back up to them and mess up. It was back and forth. Then, with eight laps to go, I was almost tucking the front in every corner, so I just had to settle for third. It’s great to be back on the podium. It’s really, really great for the team. I think it’s going to really boost them and get us going for 2020, pushing everybody.
“Barber is one of my favorite tracks. I’ve been told that they resurfaced it. I’m thinking that the lap times are going to be really, really quick there. So I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully end the season off strong and come back fighting for podiums in every race in 2020.”
After a week off, Mathew and the Westby Racing team will be back in action when they travel to Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama, for the final round of the 2019 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, which takes place on September 20 through 22.
MotoAmerica Superbike Standings
1. Toni Elias – Suzuki – 333
2. Cameron Beaubier – Yamaha – 317
3. Garrett Gerloff – Yamaha – 276
6. Mathew Scholtz – Yamaha – 188
For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit https://www.WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Beaubier Makes Gains in MotoAmerica Superbike Title Chase with 1-2 Score in New Jersey
Reigning MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier closed the points gap with a stellar win in race two and a runner-up finish in race one at the penultimate round at New Jersey Motorsports Park. It was a reversal of fortune for his Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing teammate Garrett Gerloff, who scored a big win on Saturday, but was sidelined for race two after a crash in Sunday morning warmup.
Saturday belonged to Gerloff. The Texan was fast in both sessions and was able to secure pole position with a new lap record during a fast-paced two-day schedule. When it came time to race, it was Beaubier who took the holeshot with Gerloff right on his heels. The pair was locked in battle with the 24-year-old ultimately taking the lead on lap eight. He was able to hold off the pressure from the three-time Superbike Champion to take his fourth win in six races by 1.709 seconds. It was another great performance by the young rider and the team as a whole with another 1-2 finish for the Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing Team, as well as a great day for the bLU cRU with privateer JD Beach making it a Yamaha YZF-R1 podium sweep.
Gerloff has been on a hot streak the latter half of the season. After setting a new lap record during Sunday’s morning warmup, a crash ended his day early, but expects to return to the season finale in two week’s time.
In race two, Beaubier once again got the holeshot with another Yamaha rider on his heels. A small mistake had the Californian back in second. He then laid in wait and struck back to retake the lead six laps later. The battle didn’t end there. There were a few more lead changes between the YZF-R1 riders, with Beaubier ultimately coming out on top with strength into turn one. With the championship on the line, he finished out the final eight laps in the lead and was able to build a gap to take his fourth win of the season. It was also another Yamaha podium sweep, with privateers Beach and Mathew Scholtz joining Beaubier on the podium.
Beaubier’s efforts helped his bid for the crown, cutting the gap to 16 points with 50 points still on the table going into the final round at Barber Motorsports Park on September 20-22.
Tom Halverson
Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager
“This weekend started out fantastic for us. It was full of highs and some lows, as well, but it started off incredibly well with Garrett setting a new track record, getting the pole position and winning race one. It was a Yamaha sweep on the podium, which was great. Then, unfortunately in warmup this morning, Garrett crashed after setting another lap record. Luckily, he is okay, but he was unable to race today and will be ready for Barber.
“Cameron stepped up today and took race two. It was also another Yamaha sweep, so it’s an incredible job from all the Yamaha guys today. With Cameron’s win, he is definitely in the series points fight with two races to go. We’re really looking forward to it. Again, an incredible job by Cameron, Garrett, JD Beach and Mathew Scholtz. We can’t wait for Barber.”
Cameron Beaubier
Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing
“At the beginning, I tried to make a pretty big push like I did yesterday, and I just didn’t have it. I think the track was a little hotter. For whatever reason, I wasn’t going anywhere. I was spinning up. I was like, ‘oh man. This is going to be a tough fight with JD (Beach),’ because I know how good of a racer he is. It felt so good to win this one. It’s more of a relief than anything because we’ve been kind of on the back foot all year and it feels so good every time we win. It just puts everything back into perspective. We had three Yamahas on the box both days. I think that’s a testament to how good this R1 is.
“I’m only 16 points out now, so just got to keep grinding. I’m bummed that Garrett wasn’t out there today, because he’s been on rails all weekend. It would have been another Yamaha in the mix. Bummed for him, but he’ll be back in Barber and we’ll be ready to go.”
More, from a press release issued by Attack Performance/Estenson Racing Yamaha:
Beach Leaves New Jersey with a Pair of Podiums
JD Beach built on Saturday’s podium performance to move up to the runner-up spot in Sunday’s race two at New Jersey Motorsports Park aboard the Attack Performance Estenson Racing Yamaha YZF-R1.
Beach and the team made further improvements in their setup on Sunday. The two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion once again got off to a good start right behind factory Yamaha rider Cameron Beaubier. He moved into the lead on lap six and held onto it for six laps, but the reigning Superbike champ retook it. Beach still fought on. There were a few more lead changes, but in the end, it was a second-place finish for the Attack Performance Estenson Racing rider. Although he was aiming for the win, it was a good result on the weekend with a pair of podiums and progress made after a few rough rounds.
Next up is the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama, September 20-22.
JD Beach — MotoAmerica Superbike #95:
“Today’s race was great. Of course, we would have loved to get the win, but to get second after some tough race weekends was awesome. We made some small improvements to the bike for race two. The race pace was a bit slower, but my race pace was faster today. It felt great to lead a Superbike race again and to fight for the win. Cameron rode great today and just out smarted me a little bit at the end. I was bummed that Garrett (Gerloff) didn’t get to race after his get off this morning, he’s been fast all weekend and I wanted to see where we stacked up with him. The whole Attack Estenson Racing team did an outstanding job. I can’t thank them enough. I look forward to getting to Barber.”
More, from a press release issued by Yoshimura Suzuki:
Yoshimura Suzuki’s Toni Elias Closes in on Title in Spite of Tough New Jersey Weekend
Elias Ahead by 16 Points Going into Season Finale in Two Weeks
Brea, CA (September 9, 2019) — Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing had a challenging weekend at the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship round at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Toni Elias scored a pair of fourth-place finishes on his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike. Teammate Josh Herrin scored seventh in both Saturday and Sunday’s races.
In spite of missing the podium in New Jersey, Elias’ placings were solid enough that he still enjoys a 16-point lead going into the season finale in two weeks at Barber Motorsports Park. So he has one hand on the trophy, but after New Jersey things have gotten close and Elias will have his work cut out for him in the season finale.
The entire Yoshimura Suzuki crew worked hard to find a good bike setup for the New Jersey circuit, but that perfect combo proved elusive.
“It was a tough weekend, maybe the toughest I’ve had in a long time,” Elias said. “We tried to improve and change things, but it seemed it was impossible to improve. I went six seconds faster in the race today than yesterday, but still it was not enough to improve my position.
“I see things in a positive way and we are still leading the championship by 16-points going into the final round. I’d rather be ahead than be behind. We will analyze and if we have to change our setup completely, OK, we will do it. We will go and play as hard as we can at Barber and see what happens.”
Herrin too found himself running farther back in the field than he’s accustomed to.
“It wasn’t a weekend to remember,” Herrin said. “We tried tons of different things and just weren’t able to find the sweet spot. Sometimes you go through weekends like this. I’m definitely ready to put this behind us and move on to Barber. I know our bikes work well at Barber, so hopefully we can go there and finish strong.”
The final round of the 2019 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship comes to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sept. 20-22. Elias won both Superbike races last year in Alabama.
Fans can watch the Barber event on Fox Sports 2.
More, from a press release issued by Celtic HSBK Racing:
Shawnee, OK (September 9, 2019) – Celtic HSBK Racing and rider PJ Jacobsen dominated at the MotoAmerica Championship of New Jersey. The team claimed two wins in the Supersport class and closed in on the championship finishing the weekend just 10 points out of first place with two races left in the season.
The two day weekend kicked off Saturday with PJ claiming pole position during qualifying. When race one kicked off Saturday afternoon, PJ decided to let the race settle in before pushing to the front. While the riders ahead rode a rough first half of the race, PJ stayed close behind avoiding contact, keeping a steady pace, and waiting for his chance to climb back to the front of the pack. PJ finished the last 8 laps at the front with points leader, Bobby Fong, close behind. At the end of day 1, PJ had moved into second in the championship and was ready to come back and chip away more points Sunday.
The team made several adjustments to the bike overnight and came back swinging Sunday morning during warm up. Despite his win the day before, he didn’t run the fastest lap time in race 1 and had to give up pole position for the start of race 2. PJ got a much better jump off the line for Sunday’s race and started to build a gap when the race was red flagged. Upon restart, PJ knew he had to once again get to the front and push during the abbreviated race. He was able to do just that leading 14 of the 15 laps. The race pace for the two leaders was impressive running times just 2 seconds slower than the top superbikes. PJ ultimately won race two by .028 seconds bringing the championship within 10 points going into the last round at Barber Motosports Park.
The team has really hit their stride in the last few rounds and the showdown in Alabama is sure to be one to remember.
To see updates throughout the season and on race weekends, follow HSBKRacing on Facebook and Instagram
Special thanks to our sponsors Bickle Tire Warmers, BrakeTech, Competition Werkes, Cox Racing, Drippinwet.com, Eazi-Grip, Evol Technology, Fast Frank Racing, Ferodo, Full Spectrum, GB Racing, HVAC Construction, Jap4performance, MotionPro, MWR Filters, Nitro Lubricants, RaceSeats, REV’IT, Samco Sport, Spiegler Performance Parts, STM Clutches, SunStar Chain & Sprockets, Yamaha USA, and Zero Gravity
More, from a press release issued by Team Hammer:
DUMAS WINS, FONG ON THE PODIUM FOR TEAM HAMMER IN NEW JERSEY
Team Hammer took two big steps forward in its attempt to win a pair of MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing National Championships on Sunday at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Bobby Fong and Roadracing World Young Guns Suzuki’s Alex Dumas will go to the 2019 season finale at Barber Motorsports Park in two weeks leading their respective title fights after delivering clutch performances on Sunday at NJMP.
In the MotoAmerica Supersport class, Fong earned his 12th top-two finish of the season with a calculated ride on his Suzuki GSX-R600.
Following an early red flag, the Californian took the holeshot on the restart, but was passed at the end of the opening lap and then ran a close second for the remainder of the race, Fong weighed up his options from that position, applying heavy pressure on the leader as he stalked and considered the risk/reward ratio of a desperate last-lap bid for the win.
Fong charged up on the inside on the final lap, but didn’t have quite enough room to sneak through. He regrouped and made one last try, with a superior exit out of the race’s final corner.
He just about pulled it off, coming up only 0.028-second short of stealing away the win at the flag.
As a result, Fong will enter the season finale with a 10-point advantage and two races left to decide the championship.
Fong said, “It’s not easy to be in the championship hunt and ride on the limit for race wins at the same time. I knew I didn’t have the pace to lead the thing and win from the front… I knew I’d get passed in the last corner. So I did my best to stay right there in second and see what I could do. I really wanted to take a lot more chances, but I knew we were on the edge and the championship is on the line.
“I’m really looking forward to Barber. I’ve always done well there in years past on quite a few different bikes so I’m looking forward to going to the final two races at a track I excel at. I’m not happy with second today, but I’m happy to get these points and go into the finale with the lead.”
Unfortunately, Fong’s Team M4 ECSTAR Suzuki teammate Sean Dylan Kelly saw his rookie-season podium streak end at three. The 17-year-old rising star was again battling for a top-three finish but was knocked down and out of the race after being rammed for the third time of the weekend by a rival rider who was pressing to take third away from Kelly.
Meanwhile, young Canadian Dumas has proven nothing short of unstoppable over the second half of his Twins Cup campaign. On Sunday, he continued his winning streak, registering a fourth consecutive victory after leading all but a few meters of Sunday’s 14-lap race.
Dumas blasted out to the holeshot on his Suzuki SV650 and stretched an early gap. He was reeled in and momentarily passed while negotiating heavy traffic entering a section of esses, but positioned himself to retake the advantage as soon as the corner turned back from left to right.
He held the point from that point forward, storming past the checkered flag in first to claim his fifth victory in the last six races–and winning Team Hammer’s 81st AMA Pro/MotoAmerica race. He also extended his championship lead to 21 points with just one race remaining.
Dumas said, “I was able to pull an early gap, but someone caught up. I didn’t know who it was, but then we ran into lappers. He passed me on the inside when I went to the outside of the slower riders, but I passed him right back. I’m really happy–it was a great race and we’re getting really close to the championship. I just can’t thank my crew enough.”
Superbike ace Jake Lewis made it an all-around successful day for Team Hammer by scooping up his seventh top-five premier class result of the season aboard his Team M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000. The Kentuckian ran as high as third early before ultimately settling into a lonely ride to fifth.
Team Hammer will head to the 2019 MotoAmerica season finale at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 20-22.
About Team Hammer
The 2019 season marks Team Hammer’s 39th consecutive year of operating as a professional road racing team. Racebikes built and fielded by Team Hammer have won 81 AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National races, have finished on AMA Pro and MotoAmerica National podiums 231 times and have won five AMA Pro National Championships, as well as two FIM South American Championships. The team has also won 135 endurance races overall (including seven 24-hour races) and 13 Overall WERA National Endurance Championships with Suzuki motorcycles, and holds the U.S. record for mileage covered in a 24-hour race. The team also competed in the televised 1990s Formula USA National Championship, famously running “Methanol Monster” GSX-R1100 Superbikes fueled by methanol, and won four F-USA Championships