Five Superbike races in two days was automatically understood to be a difficult task. After mixed results on day one, a DNF due to a technical issue in World Superbike and a solid fourth-place finish in MotoAmerica, Attack Performance Estenson Racing’s JD Beach was looking to come out swinging on day two. Unfortunately, he got collected in a crash caused by another rider in Laguna Seca’s famous corkscrew during the 10-lap World Superbike Superpole race.
A bit beat up, Beach got the go-ahead from his team to sit out the race in order to focus on his national championship effort in MotoAmerica, but he chose to race the entire weekend as planned. He rode in a championship point-paying position for most of the race, but the gamble to go with a softer rear tire didn’t pay off, and he ultimately crossed the line 16th.
Shortly after, Beach lined up for MotoAmerica Superbike race two. The two-time Supersport Champion got off to a solid start and was right there in fifth, in touch with the lead pack for the whole race. In the final laps, Beach made his move to take fourth, but he had to settle for the top spot as a non-factory finisher.
Next up on the calendar for MotoAmerica is Sonoma Raceway on August 10-11, but before then, Beach will be strapping on his steel shoe for an American Flat Track doubleheader during the Sturgis Rally at the Buffalo Chip TT on August 4 and the Black Hills Half-Mile on August 6.
JD Beach – MotoAmerica Superbike #95:
“In the World Superbike Superpole race, I felt like I was in a pretty good spot going up into the corkscrew. I braked like I normally would before I went to turn left to go into the corkscrew. The next thing I knew, I was flying off the track and went over the bars, which really sucked. I got my knee really good into the bars and kind of messed up my shoulder a bit.
“After the Superpole race, we were kind of on the fence about World Superbike race two. Since we weren’t really going for points there, I kind of thought about not doing it, but the team did a great job to get the bike back together quickly. Richard [Stanboli] and I talked about it. He said, ‘If you want to race, the bike is ready to go.’ I went back in the truck, and I had about 30 minutes to get dressed. I’m like, ‘You know what? This is what I’m here for. I signed up for it and we’re going to finish this race.’ I got my suit on and went back in the garage, and the team was actually a little surprised to see me. I was definitely beat up, but we were there to race. I got off to a decent start. I was running about 14th or so. I felt okay. I got passed by one person, so I went back to 15th. I was glad with that, because we’d still get a point. With about five or six laps to go, the rear tire dropped off a lot. We kind of gambled going with the soft tire, and it didn’t work, so we ended up 16th and missed that point, but it was good to get to finish the World Superbike race.
“I think it was good that I didn’t at least just sit around waiting for the MotoAmerica race. I was definitely sore, but I think if I had just sat around, it would have made it worse. I knew we had a great bike at the front. I got off to a really good start, but just kind of got stuck on the outside of a few people and got shuffled back to about sixth or so. I made my way back up and was fighting for the lead. Then Garrett got out front and broke away. I just kept battling throughout the race. Then it came down to me and Josh [Herrin]. I tried to pass him a couple times and I got by him once, but then he got back by me. We got into a lapper and Josh got enough of a gap in the last three or four laps that I couldn’t really do much. I just brought it home safe and. with how the day went and how I was feeling, I’m happy with that. I think we made a good improvement with the bike, so I’m really looking forward to Sonoma.”