RACE REPORT: American Super Bike Race 1 From Fontana

Josh Zemke(Left), Larry Pegram and Aaron Yates meet the media after

Saturday's AMA American Superbike race at Auto Club Speedway in

Fontana. Pegram held off Zemke for the win with Yates close behind in

third. Photo by Tony Solorzano/Mid-Valley News

So we've gotten through the first race of the day, which just finished a few minutes ago, and Larry Pegram, riding his Foremost Insurance/Pegream Racing Ducati, came from behind to overtake Jake "Earthquake" Zemke to win the 21-lap American Superbike feature race at Auto Club Speedway.

Pegram started on the front row alongside Tommy Hayden, John Hopkins and pole sitter Aaron Yates. However, Pegram started to make his moves midway through the race, moving from third up to first with about five laps to go, passing both Yates and Zemke on an outside pass.

After the race, all three came into the media center to talk about the weather conditions that forced the delay in the day's schedule and how the series has included the riders in the decision-making process with regards to the race delays. Larry Pegram made an interesting observation during his portion of the press conference, in mentioning a recent article that highlighted the Yoshimura racing team and the specialized staff the team employs, but still wondered how his, in essence, one-man operation still manages to beat them every race.

Spring Rituals and Super Bikes W/ UPDATES

A member of Martin Cardenas' crew prepares his bike for the first of two Daytona Sportbike races at Auto Club Speedway. Photo Tony Solorzano/Mid-Valley News

Aaahhh, March. The start of the inexorable slide towards Summer. The month when the dreaded Daylight Savings time rears its ugly head, and for 64 schools across the country(and their fans), the annual onset of March Madness. But it also means something to me as well, it's the annual arrival of not only the Swallows down to the San Juan Capristrano Mission but also the arrival of the AMA Super Bike series out at Auto Club Speedway.

I've been going every year since the first time it arrived in town about five or six years ago. Every March or April it's been an awesome display of power on two wheels. Now I know there are readers out there who are saying, "rice rockets? Really, Tony?" but you know what? Motor sports isn't limited to four-wheels, not that I'm not excited about the fast-approaching Long Beach Grand Prix.

However, as is my now annual trek out to the Speedway, I'm all set to watch three divisions of bikes take the 21-turn, 2.38 mile circuit that's built into the infield of the two-mile oval. Already today, the series' tire provider, Dunlop, introduced a new racing compound that gear heads will appreciate. The video is below.

Dunlop Introduces the new Sportmax GP-A racing tire

UPDATE 1: Well, it's just after 1 pm and we're under Red Flag conditions out on the track. The winds are blowing like mad right now and the series is naturally concerned about the safety of the riders. We're supposed to get started at 1:30 with the American Superbikes, however, there is a wind advisory for the area until at least 5 pm.

UPDATE 2: It's just after 1:45 and we're getting word that there will be a Superbike practice starting at 2:30. They're going to evaluate the track conditions and see fi they can get the races in.