It's pretty clear that being labeled a cheater is not something Mat Mladin takes lying down. In the post-race press conference at Laguna Seca on Sunday, the race winner and six-time Superbike champ made repeated references to "some funny business" on behalf of DMG regarding his Virginia disqualifications. Mladin said he has hope for the future that what evolves for the 2009 series will be a "fair championship".

Mladin said that no matter what other members of his team have said, that all three of the Suzukis were the same in terms of equipment that day at Virginia.

Asked whether he thinks he will be racing in America next year, Mladin said he had no idea. Asked if he hopes to be riding next year in America, Mladin said that he does.

Mladin's teammate, Ben Spies, agreed, infering that the disqualification of his teammate wasn't just.

Mladin said that he is optimistic about the series developing into what he views as a good rules and class package for 2009.