Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s John Hopkins took his GSX-R1000 to a hard-fought second place in the AMA Formula Xtreme race at Mid-Ohio, closing the points gap on first place. Hopkins made a late-race charge to pass the series points leader and secure second place, and put himself within striking distance in the Championship chase, 22 points behind. At this point, if Hopkins had not been rammed and knocked down by an out-of-control competitor at the series opener, he would most likely be leading the points handily. His injured teammate, Grant Lopez, was eighth.
Hopkins ran as high as second in the AMA 600cc Supersport race at Mid-Ohio before being rammed and punted off line by another rider. Hopkins ran off the track trying to catch back up to the lead group, regained the track in ninth, and fought back to finish seventh. Lopez finished ninth.
In 750cc Supersport action at Mid-Ohio, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Ben Spies finished third.
