ond, grabbed a handful of front
brake to avoid running into the
back of the Ducati. Down went
the factory Yamaha in a cloud of
shattering carbon fiber, Fong's
title hopes all but extinguished
on the spot.
Herrin went on to win from
Beaubier and Escalante, but
there was more drama on the
cool-down lap as Fong made his
feelings towards Herrin known,
who he clearly blamed for the
incident, with repeated gestures
of throat-cutting in a fit of rage.
Herrin denied all responsibil
-
ity in the incident in the post-
race
interviews, but the result
was clear: Beaubier now led the
championship by seven points
over Fong and 13 over Herrin,
meaning all Beaubier had to do
was finish second if Fong won
race three and the title was his
for a sixth time.
It seemed this was the plan,
as Fong got the holeshot for
race three with Beaubier tucking
in behind for second, the pair
opening a small advantage over
Herrin and Kelly.
Then, on lap nine, it was all
over for Fong. The front closed
on the number 50 Yamaha at
turn five, and his broken left
handlebar signaled the end of
his season.
Beaubier was thus left on his
own out front, but Herrin had Kel
-
ly and Hayden Gillim (Real Steel
Honda)
still to contend with.
On the final lap, heading into
turn five, Kelly made a deep
lunge under brakes and pushed
Herrin wide, allowing Gillim
to slide up the inside for what
would be a career-first Super
-
bike podium finish.
(Right) Josh
Herrin (1) is not
pleased with Sean
Dylan Kelly's (40)
hard but fair move
that stole second
away on the final
lap. (Below) After
a catastrophe in
race two, Bobby
Fong (50) just
had to go in race
three. It didn't
work, and another
crash ensued.
VOLUME 62 ISSUE 39 SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 P75
