03/06/2010 Zemke grabs Superbike win for Jordan, National Guard AMA Superbike - Daytona, FL
Jake Zemke claimed two first place wins at the opening round of AMA Superbike racing at Daytona International Speedway this past week earning Michael Jordan Motorsports and the National Guard their first ever 1st place podium finishes in AMA Superbike racing.
"It was a great weekend and an honor to bring not only bring National Guard their first win, but also Michael Jordan Motorsports theirs as well. It was a nice reward to bring in two wins for the crew," said Zemke.
"I think for everybody here when you're sitting at home all winter long this is what you're thinking about -- coming out of here with two wins," Jake said. "For that to actually happen, it's not real often that all your plans come the way you imagine them in your head. It was the closest race I've ever been in. I was riding around on the cool-off lap and looking at all the towers and the numbers. I was like, well, I'm on top now but when are they going to change it. I didn't celebrate until I got into Victory Lane. My crew did an awesome job once again. To be able to come into Daytona and be able to pull this off -- it's their first Superbike win and we just did it back to back. For the team, for the sponsors, it's their first win as well and I'm just happy to be in this position."
Jordan Suzuki's Aaron Yates qualified on the pole but dropped back to fourth at the start of Race One as Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Blake Young took the early lead with teammate Tommy Hayden on his tail. Not far behind were Yates, Zemke and Foremost Ducati's Larry Pegram.
Zemke came out ahead on lap seven with the others close behind him. Pegram and Hayden pushed past Zemke on lap 11 of 15. A couple of laps later, the top five riders reshuffled with Hayden taking the lead. On the final lap, Zemke dove into the lead on the first turn and managed to hold off the others to win by 0.238 seconds. Hayden finished second with Pegram claiming the final podium position. The top five riders were separated by only 0.307 seconds.
Race Two began in a similar fashion with the same five front-runners moving to the front with Hayden in the lead. The lead pack was soon joined by the Graves Yamaha's Josh Hayes and Pat Clark Motorsport Yamaha's Ben Bostrom.
Young was one of the first to blink, running wide on the first turn on lap nine. A couple of laps later, Hayden made a similar mistake as the Jordan Suzuki pair of Zemke and Yates moved to the front. Hayden was able to recover and was able to regain the lead on lap 13. Hayden led Zemke on the final stretch but Zemke had enough left to pass Hayden at the line to win by 0.009 seconds. Bostrom finished 0.081 seconds behind for third, ahead of Yates and Pegram.
Jake Zemke would like to thank the following for their support: Michael Jordan Motorsports, National Guard, Alpinestars, Shoei helmets and Troy Lee Designs.
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