AMA Sportbike: 2009 Laguna Seca Results

As he did at the Daytona 200, the factory Yamaha American Superbike racer rode a Graves Yamaha R6 for the win.

Points-leader Martin Cardenas of M4 Suzuki started from the pole and led the opening five laps before a low-side crash on turn ten.

The crash gave Bostrom the lead which he held through a 27-minute red flag stoppage brought on by a crash involving Cardenas teammate Jason DiSalvo, RPR Yamahas Ricky Parker and Yamaha rider Chris Fillmore. None of the three were injured but the delay shortened the race to 21 laps from 23.

When racing resumed on lap 11, Factory Aprilias Chaz Davies moved into second behind Bostrom. Davies and his Aprilia RSV1000R moved into the lead on lap 15 but Bostrom later retook the advantage.

The two riders sprinted to the finish with Bostrom winning by 0.226 seconds.

It was fantastic, says Bostrom. I really enjoyed the little bike there. That race was quite enjoyable and Chaz did an amazing job. The race came down to the end and it was just one of those fantastic races. We knew the R6 was well capable of winning and it did, so it stands on top of the podium on a track that Yamaha helps sponsor, so thats fantastic. Its about time that little 600 won again, so it won at the correct track and it was good. It was very fun to ride.

Davies second-place finish was the best result of the season for Aprilia, making it the sixth manufacturer to place on the podium in the 2009 Daytona Sportbike season.

I just managed to have myself a good race with Ben, says Davies. We swapped positions a few times. I was stronger than him here and there and he was stronger than me in other spots. All in all, Im happy. Its the first podium of the year, the bike was fantastic and I just cant say enough about the work thats gone on with my team in the last three weeks. Theyve really knuckled down and got everything that Ive asked for and it's been really good. Hopefully, well see the rest of the year go on like this as well.

Graves Yamahas Josh Herrin finished in third for his fourth podium result of the season. His teammate Tommy Aquino finished less than half a second later for fourth.

Tri-Valley Moto KTM rider Eric Gulbransen placed 28th as the KTM 990 Super Duke made its Daytona Sportbike debut.

The 2009 Daytona Sportbike season continues July 17-19 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Despite crashing out, Cardenas maintains a 255-216 lead over Attack Kawasakis Jamie Hacking who finished ninth. RMR Buells Danny Eslick is also in the championship picture, sitting third with 212 points after an eighth-place finish.