Team AMSOIL road racer Larry Pegram left Road Atlanta after a difficult but productive weekend, finishing the third round of the series seventh overall in the championship.
The weekend started slowly for Pegram and the Foremost Insurance Ducati AMSOIL team. Friday’s first qualifying went smoothly; and in an effort not to agitate injuries from the last race Pegram did only what he needed for advancement to Superpole. The Superpole session saw Pegram ride a smooth and steady lap on the Ducati, and despite the pain finished up sixth for a second
row start.Saturday’s race proved a struggle for the team as six bikes battled for second position throughout the race. The Ducati 1098 R had the speed needed to make the podium, but Pegram’s injuries from the Fontana race made it difficult for him to move around on the bike. The veteran rider fought to the end, and stayed with the lead pack to retain a seventh at the checkered flag.
With the forecast predicting rain, the team entered Sunday’s race with a goal of scoring points and retaining their championship position. Pegram pushed from the get-go to secure third place on the first lap; holding it until lap six when a cramp from the injury forced him back to sixth position in the track’s third sector. As the race progressed, the rain never came but the injury continued to agitate Pegram. He fought the pain to finish the race a credible tenth.
“I wasn’t feeling well at all this weekend, with pain in my ankle and hip,” commented Pegram. “Despite a hard time in race one I felt good going into race two. Early in the race I got a huge cramp around turn 9, and lost a few positions. The cramp persisted, so from then on I was racing for points not the win. All things considered it was an ok finish, but not where I wanted to be.”
Team Foremost Pegram Racing now heads back to its Ohio shop, where they will rebuild the Ducati 1098 R Superbikes for a test at Infineon Raceway, and the next race at Barber Motorsports Park May 1-3.
AMSOIL is the Official Oil of AMA Pro Road Racing and the presenting sponsor of the Daytona SportBike class.
Until then, we'll see you at the races.
