Superstock win: Hacker plays the draft

In a classic last-lap, run-to-the-finish-line Daytona pass, Yamaha's Jamie Hacking took the win from teammate Jason DiSalvo in today's Repsol Lubricants Superstock race.

Geoff May, aboard the Team Emgo Suzuki, took the lead early and held off the Yamaha pair for the first eight laps of the 13-lap race. But then May's machine slowed, and DiSalvo and Hacking pulled away to settle the battle between themselves.

"I kept hoping I'd see a plus 1 (second) or a plus 2 on the pit board when I went by," DiSalvo said, "but I kept seeing a plus zero, and I looked back and saw he was right there."

Recognizing the danger of leading in the closing laps at Daytona, DiSalvo tried every trick to lure Hacking into the lead, succeeding on lap 12. But as the two made the run to the white flag on the 12th lap, DiSalvo drafted past as Hacking ran wide into turn one.

That put a target on DiSalvo's back on the final circuit. Hacking remained patient, timing his move to the checkered flag perfectly. DiSalvo drove his bike down to the low end of the banked trioval, but Hacking went even lower, drafting by to win by a couple of bike lengths.

"If I had to take the bike into the dirt, I was going into the dirt to win this one," Hacking said on the podium.

Meanwhile, defending champion Aaron Yates was able to close on May and draft pass at the finish to claim third.

© 2006, American Motorcyclist Association