VOLUME ISSUE DECEMBER , P139
happened to either Beaubier or
his BMW, Herrin would need a
third-place finish or better, and
he would be champion for a
second consecutive year, turn-
ing around one of the biggest
final-round points deficits ever
seen in the process.
"[The race] was so tough
because I still had to push to
keep my gap," Beaubier said.
"It pretty much stayed the
same the whole race, which
was good, and somehow, we
wrapped it up. It's one of my
proudest titles that I've won
just because we just never gave
up. It was a little bittersweet
too because we found out be
-
fore that last race that our team
wasn't continuing for next year,
so it was cool to be able to tick
that box for the team."
The mission for Beaubier to
become only the fourth rider in
AMA Superbike history to win a
title with a second manufacturer
But it did, and the title race was
now turned completely upside
down. Herrin took the win, and
Beaubier banked another second
place, only this time he reversed
the championship table to lead
Fong by seven points head
-
ing into race three, with Herrin
now only 13 points in arrears. A
second place for Beaubier would
seal a sixth MotoAmerica Super
-
bike Championship, but racing is
never that straightforward.
"All of a sudden, we're back in
this thing. I'm in the points lead,"
Beaubier said. "In the last race,
I got a good start, latched onto
Bob, and he pulled us away from
the field. We were knocking out
low- to mid-1:20s, which is very
fast around there, but he tucked
the front and crashed. I had a
little lead, and I just did every
-
thing I could to get to the finish
on two wheels."
Although he was now free of
Fong in the title hunt, if anything
(Above) Cameron Beaubier puts
the style on at New Jersey on
Friday. At this stage, a sixth title
wasn't looking good after two
crashes.
(Right) New Jersey's race two, the
final lap, and it's all about to kick
off as Josh Herrin (1) leads Bobby
Fong (50) and Beaubier (6).
