“I really like this track,” he said, “but the bike doesn’t so much! We had some problems that we solved and I hope for tomorrow everything is going to be fine. We’ve been working quite well in the dry, and finally when it was getting dry I was able to get more grip, and that’s the main reason I was able to fight for the pole. It’s a nice surprise!”

The AMA Pro National Guard Superbike Championship held its final qualifying today for Monday’s feature race in rainy weather. Chris Peris demonstrated his skill in the wet by posting the fastest time of the session on his No. 8 Iron Horse Racing BMW S1000RR at 2:06.705/86.942mph, but defending series champ Josh Hayes’ provisional qualifying time of 1:50:401/99.782 on his No. 1 Monster Energy Graves Yamaha YZF-R1 from Saturday will put him on the pole for Monday’s race. Blake Young will start second on his No. 79 Rockstar Makita Suzuki GSX-R1000, lining up alongside fellow Suzuki riders Tommy Hayden (No. 22 Rockstar Makita) and Roger Hayden (No. 54 National Guard Jordan).

The AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike Championship’s feature race was the last session on track today, and it was worth the wait. On degrading wet-weather tires in drying conditions, Josh Herrin emerged victorious on his No. 8 Monster Energy Graves Yamaha YZF-R6 with a 0.161-second margin of victory after a last-lap pass on the No. 9 Celtic Racing Ducati 848 of P.J. Jacobson to cap a titanic late-race battle between the two young riders. Cameron Beaubier took the final podium position on his No. 116 GP Bike Parts Racing Yamaha, ahead of Cory West (No. 57 Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R600) and Dane Westby (No. 5 M4 Suzuki).

Cory Alexander captured his first career victory in the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport Championship early on Saturday, riding his No. 5 Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R600 to a dominant 18.873-second margin of victory in a very wet race that was marked by a number of crashes. Colombia’s David Gaviria finished second on his No. 700 Team LTD Yamaha YZF-R6, with Travis Ohge taking the final podium spot on his No. 40 GP Bike Parts Yamaha. Tomas Puerta (No. 40 Team LTD Yamaha) and 17-year-old Elena Myers (No. 21 Suzuki Scoop Fans Suzuki) completed the top five.

In final qualifying for the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Championship, Joe Kopp set the fastest time in wet conditions at 2:17.178/80.304 on his No. 3 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XR1200, but Saturday’s provisional times will keep Michael Barnes on the pole position with his No. 34 Drag Specialties/Vance & Hines entry.

Monday will be the final day of activity for The BigM Weekend presented by Lucas Oil, with the two feature races for the Superbike World Championship and single races for the AMA Pro National Guard American SuperBike and Vance & Hines XR1200 classes taking place. The first World Superbike race will start at noon, followed by the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 race at 1:20 p.m., the AMA Pro National Guard Superbike Championship race at 2:00 p.m. and the final World Superbike race at 3:30 p.m.

The military is a big part of the weekend, with a Tribute Field of 2,011 American flags erected in the track’s infield, the Zions Bank Military Acre featuring interactive displays from all branches of the military and a flyover of an Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker during opening ceremonies on Monday. All current and veteran military members are eligible for a 50-percent discount on event tickets, this weekend and every weekend.

In addition, there will be a myriad of activities for families to enjoy, including karting at the Miller Kart Track, rides on MMP’s new Zip Line, Jeep rides on MMP’s rock-crawling course, a paddock party/autograph session prior to Saturday’s concert, pit walks, vendors, other musical performances, stunt bike demonstrations from Britton and BMW Motorrad’s Chris Pfeiffer and Chris “Teach” McNeill, carnival rides, numerous vendors and plenty of good food.

To obtain tickets for or information about The BigM Weekend presented by Lucas Oil, visit the event-specific website at www.BigMWeekend.com, or call 435-277-RACE (7223).