It was a tough weekend for Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Josh Hayes, Tom Kipp and Chris Ulrich Friday at Daytona International Speedway.
Ulrich, still recovering from a shoulder separation, qualified 12th fastest for the Superstock (formerly 750cc Supersport)race but ran off the track entering the chicane on the first lap, rejoining the fray in 31st.
Ulrich charged hard for the remaining 17 laps, finally finishing a disappointed 11th.
In Supersport (formerly 600cc Supersport), Kipp qualified 14th and Hayes qualified 15th. In the race, Hayes finished ninth in a tight drafting war and Kipp finished 11th.
Hayes and Kipp both checked up and got off the gas when they encountered a huge crash involving three riders exiting the chicane on the seventh of 18 laps, expecting a red flag. But no red flag was thrown and both lost several positions before gettng back on the gas and giving chase.
The team next races at California Speedway in Fontana.
