Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Ben Spies finished a very close second in his debut AMA 750cc Supersport race at Daytona, on Friday March 9, after qualifying quickest and leading the most laps. Spies almost-but-not-quite drafted his way to the front in the run to the flag.
In 600cc Supersport on March 9, John Hopkins quickly moved up from eighth to first with brilliant drafting work and was in with a good chance at victory when the race was red-flagged due to multiple crashes on oil in turn one, including a fall by Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Grant Lopez. On the cool-off lap heading back to the pits, 17-year-old Hopkins looked over his shoulder, then looked back to find another rider slowing dramatically in his path. Hopkins hit the other rider’s bike and crashed, breaking his right collarbone and putting a rude end to his chances of a dramatic dream victory at Daytona.
Lopez came from the back of the restart grid to finish 17th for some useful points.
Hopkins expects to be ready to race again for the April 22 Formula USA event at Willow Springs.
