AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike: Lockhart Phillips USA 750 SuperSport race

10 July 2000

Valvoline Suzuki rider John Hopkins took the win today at Laguna Seca. The win
is Hopkin's third this year, having also won the Daytona and Atlanta races, and
he'll displace Jimmy Moore as the series points leader. " The race went well, I
go the holeshot and led a few laps," said Hopkins. "Roger (Hayden) got by me,
but I've been strong on the brakes in the corkscrew and I got back by him. Damon
(Buckmaster) came by me in turn 10, and ran a strong pace. Going into turn two I
saw him lock it up and go off the track sideways, and I thought this is a good
opportunity for me." Hopkins closed his remarks paying tribute to rider Jamie
Bowman, who died Friday after crashing during Superbike practice. "We'll miss
him, and I'd like to say Godspeed to Jamie," Hopkins said.

Mazda Chaparral Suzuki rider Roger Lee Hayden took second-place today, his first
career AMA National podium. "I followed Hopkins, and got by him, then he
outbroke me in the corkscrew," said Hayden. "I'm happy with second, it's my best
finish ever, and it's a confidence builder. I know I can run with these guys
now."

Valvoline Suzuki rider Grant Lopez took third-place today, his second podium of
the season, and he'll move to third in the point standings. "It was a pretty
good race," said Lopez. "I got shuffled to the back at the start, but I was able
to gain on Roger. I tried to get by him at the finish but couldn't quite do it."

MBNA 250 Grand Prix race
Rich Oliver took his third win of the season aboard the Team Oliver Yamaha.
"Sometimes when you start in the back it puts you in a good frame of mind," said
Oliver, who did not finish his qualifying heat race yesterday and started at the
very back of the grid. "I worked my way up into a good position and tried not to
do anything squirelly. I had nothing to lose, I'm so far back in the points."

1998 series Champ Roland Sand took second-place for the Performance Machine
Yamaha team. The podium is Sands' third this year. " I tried to get out there
early and see if I could get the lead," Sands said. "Chuck (Sorensen) and I had
a good scrap, and I was able to get by him after a while."

Reigning series Champ Chuck Sorensen took third place on the World Sports
Yamaha. Sorensen has no wins this season, but a string of podium finishes have
put him in the series points lead. "I got a good start," said Sorensen, "I knew
these guys were going to be there. It's different for me to just look at this as
a points race, but that's the reality of it."