AMA Superbike Results

With regard to winning in AMA Superbike, Josh Hayes is getting as predictable as Mat Mladin used to be.

The Monster Energy Graves Yamaha rider and reigning AMA Superbike champion qualified on pole and went on to win race 1 of the Sonoma weekend.

Hayes' R1 Superbike was trailed the entire race by Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Tommy Hayden. Hayden holeshot the race and led shortly before being overtaken by Hayes.

Hayden managed to stay with the Yamaha the entire race, falling off the pace only in the closing few laps to roll across the line securely in second. By the time the checkered flag came out Hayes had opened up a seven second lead to prove he is the king of Infineon.

The action behind the two leaders was between Martin Cardenas-showing impressive ability in moving up to the 1000cc M4 Suzuki Superbike - and Blake Young, on the second Rockstar Makita Suzuki.

The two were running like twins before Young went wide at the top of the course, allowing Cardenas through. Blake hounded Cardenas for the remainder of the race but couldn't find a way under Cardenas, who made it to the podium in third place. Young finished fourth.

Behind the Yamaha and three Suzukis was a threesome of BMWs, ridden by Chris Peris-looking impressive on the private Team Iron Horse BMW-followed in close order by Steve Rapp (San Diego BMW) and Larry Pegram (Foremost Insurance Pegram Racing).

Ben Bostrom, after being in the mix, had a mechanical that ended his day, and Roger Hayden crashed out, which opened the door for Geoff May to move up to eighth on the Erik Buell Racing Buell 1125R. Coming in ninth in his first ride on the Kawasaki vacated by Eric Bostrom was the very impressive young gun JD Beach on the Attack Kawasaki ZX-10. Rounding out the top ten was Chris Ulrich on the M4 Suzuki.

As for Sunday's AMA Superbike Race 2, weather is reported to be sketchy.

2011 AMA Superbike: Infineon Race 1 Results: