Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park began with mixed weather conditions as the drizzling rain lingered off and on throughout the morning and midday. However, about an hour prior to the start of Medallia Superbike race number two the skies parted and the sun prevailed.
Riders and teams quickly prepared for the hot and humid situation as fans lined the track, awaiting the championship duel between Jake Gagne and Danilo Petrucci.
With yesterday’s win, Gagne now had some cushion in the points race. If he could manage his race and stay out of trouble, the 2022 Superbike Title would be his.
From race start, Cam Petersen pushed to the early lead, with Gagne close in tow. HSBK Warhorse Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci managed to squeeze past Matthew Scholtz on the second lap and found himself in third position. The Ducati rider pushed hard, knowing he needed as many points as possible, along with a potential mistake from Gagne.
Halfway through the race, PJ Jacobsen closed in on the battle for third and began to swap positions with Scholtz, leaving the Westby Racing Yamaha rider in fifth position.
As the laps ticked away, Gagne remained in a cool, comfortable second place behind teammate Petersen. It would be Petersen across the line in first place, Gagne in second and securing his championship victory.
Danilo tried to hold tight to the third and final spot of the podium, but Jacobsen went for the successful pass on the former MotoGP rider on the final lap and secured that claim.
The battle for third in points was between race winner Cam Peterson and fellow South African Matthew Scholtz. The race victory was just enough for Petersen, as Scholtz’s fifth place finish couldn’t compete with the valuable 25 winning points.
Ryan Yearwood is the motorsports correspondent for SoBros Network as well as the pioneer and visionary behind SoBros Outdoors. Follow on Twitter: @OutdoorSoBro.
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