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Roger Hayden notched his 5th career MotoAmerica Superbike victory at VIR

The weekend started with rainy conditions on Friday but dried out progressively throughout the rest of the weekend. Hayden’s win came on mixed track conditions in the first Superbike race of the weekend at VIR on Saturday.

“I wanted to be more aggressive at the beginning, I felt like I had the pace to get away,” Hayden said after his win. “The team was giving me the board and I could see my lead kept growing, but I decided to back it down the last three laps since water was running onto the track in a few spots. I’m happy to finally get this win after coming up short several times earlier in the season.”

Elias (#24) and Hayden (#95) are consistently running at the front of the pack in MotoAmerica SB

The Saturday race was not as positive for Hayden’s teammate Toni Elias. As Hayden was pulling away with the lead, Elias was in a battle for second with Josh Herrin. Herrin made an error entering a fast right-hand turn and crashed, taking Elias with him in the process.

“It was a mistake and Josh ran over to apologize,” Elias said. “This is racing and these things happen over the course of a long season and fortunately we have another race Sunday.”

The veteran Elias rebounded well from the first-race mayhem with a hard-fought second place in Sunday’s Superbike race. Late in the race, Hayden and Elias were once again running in the top three.

The K&N-sponsored Suzuki teammates were battling for second on the final lap when Hayden ran wide and off the track going into the first turn. He was able to get back on the track and finish sixth, earning valuable series points. Elias held off rival Cameron Beaubier for second place. Elias’ finish allowed him to retain his series lead after his bad luck on Saturday.

K&N-sponsored Yoshimura Suzuki is emerging as the powerhouse team to beat in 2017

“It was good to get back on the podium today,” Elias said. “This was important for the championship and now I will start again and try to rebuild our lead. Our team worked very hard this weekend after I suffered some crashes and it paid off for us.”

If you are interested in increasing the performance of your Suzuki, K&N makes the SU-1009 for the 2009-2016 Suzuki GSX-R.

MotoAmerica Superbike Points Standings

1. Toni Elias, Barcelona, Spain, Suzuki – 115

2. Cameron Beaubier, Roseville, California, Yamaha – 105

3. Roger Hayden, Owensboro, Kentucky, Suzuki – 104

4. Josh Hayes, Gulfport, Mississippi, Yamaha – 69

5. Bobby Fong, Stockton, California, Kawasaki – 65

6. Mathew Scholtz, Durban, South Africa, Yamaha – 51

7. Jake Lewis, Owensboro, Kentucky, Suzuki – 51

8. Josh Herrin, Dublin, Georgia, Yamaha – 49

9. Kyle Wyman, Macedon, New York, Yamaha 45

10. Danny Eslick, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Yamaha – 40

Martin Truex Jr celebrates his win at the Go Bowling 400

Martin Truex Jr. won his first ever race at Kansas Speedway in the Go Bowling 400 race. This win was the second of the season and the ninth win of his career. He led for a race high 104 laps to take home his first checkered flag at the track.

“I can't even tell you,” Truex said. “It feels amazing to be here. It's been a long time coming to this racetrack for sure. We talked, I guess, on Friday about it. The close calls, the laps led, the heartbreaks that we've been through here. Definitely proud tonight to finally cross that checkered flag first and bring it home for the guys.”

Truex, who has a history at Kansas Speedway for not pushing through, showed great poise through the restarts, and eventually passed Ryan Blaney after the final restart and did not look back. Truex led 6 times for 104 laps and gained 5 more playoff points and 57 points in the win.

“You know, as a racer, you don't forget” Truex said. “You don't forget those days that ones got away or you screwed up and gave one away or anything like that. You never forget those things. They always stick with you.”

Brad Keselowski came in second place, after he rallied from two laps down. Keselowski currently sits in third place in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings. Keselowski did not lead during the race, and gained 41 points.

“Well, so much happened, I'm not sure I even know,” Keselowski said. “But we were really good all day and just never had a chance to show it. Every time we started to pass cars and cycle up to the front, we had some kind of issue, which was a real bummer to not be able to showcase the strength that we had.” Kevin Harvick finished in third place, and led once for 10 laps.

Aric Almirola crashes into the wreck between Danica Patrick and Joey Logano

The big story of the race was the red flag caution occurring at the end of the 200th lap. Joey Logano and Danica Patrick raced for 12th place, as Logano’s car jerked to the left causing Patrick's to crash into the boards. As Patrick's car caught in flames, Aric Almirola's car crashed into the wreck and caused NASCAR to stop the race. Almirola was forced to be extricated out of his car.

"Yeah, I'm OK," Logano said. "Just saying a lot of prayers for Aric right now. A lot of us took a hard hit. Something broke on my car. I don't know what it was. I noticed it as I was trying to go in (to Turn 1). I tried to back it off but you're going 215 (mph) and it's hard to check up. The car just took a big step sideways into the corner and I hooked Danica.

Kyle Larson, who finished in sixth place, continues to lead the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Standings with 475 points and 7 playoff points. Martin Truex Jr. is in second place with 431 points and 15 playoff points. Brad Keselowski is in third place with 408 points and 12 playoff points.

The next race in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be the Monster Energy All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Todd Gilliland wins the K&N Pro Series West race at Spokane County Raceway

Todd Gilliland won his fourth NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race in a row and his Bill McAnally Racing teammates swept the podium at Spokane County Raceway in Washington. Gilliland won the pole and led every lap in the Toyota NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by DAA Auto Body Center.

“When we unloaded, we were not very good to start,” Gilliland said. “Everyone really put their heads down and kept digging and didn’t worry about speed or whatever anyone else was doing. We really just focused on our NAPA Toyota and the feel of it. We got it driving quite a bit better.”

The start of the race was delayed nearly two hours because of rain. The cars turned 102 laps on the track to try to dry it before the race started. Gilliland won his fifth pole in a row and it was the second race in a row he led from green to checkered flag. He won the K&N Pro Series West race at Irwindale Speedway from pole to finish.

Todd Gilliland (16) won the pole and led every lap in the K&N Pro Series West race at Spokane

“We were fastest in qualifying and that set us up great for the race,” Gilliland said after the race in Spokane. “We were able to get out to the lead and manage it from there.”

Derek Kruas, Gilliland’s 15-year-old teammate at Bill McAnally Racing, was second. Kraus started on the front row with Gilliland and kept pace through three caution periods and restarts.

“They were telling me about him on the radio,” Gilliland said. “Derek did an amazing job today. I’m sure he’ll get a win before the season is over. I’m just happy we could hold him off this time.”

Todd Gilliland (16) won his fourth K&N Pro Series West race in a row at Spokane County Raceway

Kraus, who is third in the K&N Pro Series West rookie of the year standings, posted his third top-five finish in five races. “We got to second and rode a little bit until the break,” Kraus said. “After the break we got going, but caught lapped traffic.”

Chris Eggleston, the 2015 K&N Pro Series West champion, was third in the race at Spokane. Gilliland, the reigning K&N Pro Series West champion, extended his lead in the K&N Pro Series West standings. He has a 20-point lead over Eggleston after five races. Gilliland has 11 wins in 20 career K&N Pro Series West starts.

The next K&N Pro Series West race is at The Orange Show in California.

Shayna Texter handled the Arizona heat and racing pressure to win the Arizona Mile (Photo Am Pro FT)

It had been nearly four years since Texter had stepped up to the top podium spot in a major flat track event. However, the long, hot, and slick Turf Paradise track proved to be just what the K&N-sponsored Richie Morris Racing team rider needed to return to her winning ways. The satisfaction and relief was evident in Texter’s post-race comments.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve won,” Texter said. “It’s been a rough couple years. It’s a huge step in the right direction to get back on track for myself. It’s rewarding to the team to reward them and show them that all of their hard work is paying off. It’s an exciting future for RMR Racing.”

Texter collects her thoughts trackside before the Main Event in Phoenix (Photo Tim Kessel)

All three front runners rode a clean and smooth final, but Texter proved to be the rider of the day under the Arizona sun. The win margin was an ultra tight .041 of a second.

Texter is aware that she is a trailblazer and an inspiration to young girls that aspire to excel in male-dominated fields.

“It’s incredible,” Texter said. “The fans are the real reason why I continue to race when it’s tough. To see the look on the little girls and women, and (they)… come up to you and tell you you’re an inspiration - that inspires me to keep riding. To have their support means everything.”

Prior to her win in the Arizona Mile, Texter had consecutive podium finishes with a second and third in the previous two rounds. She now leads the AFT 2 series by 5 points.

K&N is a proud sponsor of RMR Racing and Shayna Texter (Photo Tim Kessel)

American Pro Flat Track Schedule:

May 20: Sacramento Mile – Cal Expo Fairgrounds, Sacramento, California

May 27-28: Springfield Mile I* – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois

June 3: Red Mile – The Red Mile, Lexington, Kentucky

June 17: OKC Mile – Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

June 24: Lima Half-Mile – Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio

July 8: Rolling Wheels Half-Mile – Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Elbridge, New York

July 29: Calistoga Half-Mile – Calistoga Speedway, Calistoga, California

Aug. 6: Buffalo Chip TT presented by Indian Motorcycle – Buffalo Chip Campgrounds, Sturgis, South Dakota

Aug. 8: Black Hills Half-Mile – Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City, South Dakota

Aug. 13: Peoria TT – Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, Illinois

Sept. 2-3: Springfield Mile II** – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois

Sept. 9: Williams Grove Half-Mile – Williams Gove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Sept. 23: Lone Star Half-Mile – Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas

Oct. 7: Perris Short Track – Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, California

* AFT Singles will race a TT on May 27

** AFT Singles will race a Short Track on Sept. 2

Baker came up just short of the win in the Arizona Mile (Photo: Am Pro Flat Track)

However, as the sun began to set on a long day of racing at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Arizona, Baker’s charge toward his first win of the season was snatched from his gloved hands by Indian Wrecking Crew teammate, Bryan Smith.

While a podium finish keeps Baker in the top five riders in the championship hunt, the second spot was clearly not what the K&N-sponsored flat track racer wanted. “I wanted that win so dang bad,” Baker said. “I don’t think I’ve wanted a win more in my life.”

Brad Baker was hopeful for a win after his dominating semifinal performance (Photo: Tim Kessel)

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed and angry,” said Baker. “But they call Bryan the ‘Master of the Miles,’ and he’s great at this. This is definitely a heartbreaker because I was the guy to beat all day... We’re on identical equipment so it’s not like I had any more horsepower than him or he had any more horsepower than me. It was all about who was the best rider, and today, Bryan proved his experience and craft on the Miles.”

While Baker was generous in his praise of his Indian Wrecking Crew teammate, he admitted that Turf Paradise is the type of track that is a challenge to his riding style. “This type of track is one I typically struggle at – one that’s dry, slick, one-lined – where you kind of have to go slow to go fast and ride with a lot of discipline,” Baker said.

Finishing just behind Baker was Jared Mees making it a clean sweep of the Arizona Mile podium for the Indian Wrecking Crew. Mees and Smith share the series lead in points.

Sammy Halbert made the most of the Last Chance Qualifier in Arizona (Photo: Andrea Wilson)

The top four finish is especially sweet for Halbert since he barely qualified for the semifinals before making his way to the main event. Halbert actually had to put in a charge just to snare the final qualifying position in the Last Chance Qualifier in order to advance into the semis.

With his fourth in Arizona, Halbert sits solidly in third place in the American Pro Flat Track overall points standings.