AMSOIL's EBR riders card seacon best at Mid-Ohio

LEXINGTON, Ohio (July 13) - Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Team Hero/AMSOIL EBR rider Geoff May have never been the best of friends over the years, but after a season-best finish of fifth in the National Guard SuperBike race on Saturday during the Buckeye SuperBike Weekend presented by Dunlop Tire, May and the track are getting along a little better.

"I'm definitely happy with fifth place here," May said. "It's probably my favorite track as far as fans go but my least favorite we race on now. We get a great turnout and Ohio fans are as passionate as they come. I don't get along well with this circuit, never have.

"We can really build some momentum with this finish and hope to fight for a podium in the races around the corner."

May finished just ahead of his teammate Aaron Yates and the AMSOIL/Hero EBR, which finished sixth, also a season-best in the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Series.

"Our bike felt the best it has all year," Yates said. "I got off to a good start and was right with the lead group off the first turn but just couldn't hang with them off the corners and down the straightaway. I messed up my drive off the back and Geoff got around me."

That pass set up a several lap long battle between the teammates.

"I chased Geoff for a long time," Yates said. "We would have liked to have finished ahead of him, but it's still the best we've finished all year. We're making a lot of progress and I'm happy with the race today."

May said he wasn't aware of who was chasing him; keeping the chasers behind him was absorbing his concentration.

"I didn't even know that was Aaron," May said. "I thought it was Chris Fillmore or somebody else. I was watching my pit board and managing the gap. My rear tire went away near the end and so I had to manage that, too.

"I was riding smart and hitting my marks. I wanted to make sure I had a little in the bag so I could wick it up at the end if I needed to."

AMSOIL's May and Yates will get another crack at the Mid-Ohio podium on Sunday when the National Guard SuperBikes race the second half of the Buckeye SuperBike Weekend. The race starts at 3 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.