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The Supersport National Championship Shootout was a great race. Too bad it was not televised or seen by very many fans in attendance. |
West points winner Ricky Parker was one of the young riders age 16 to 21 hoping to win the 12-lap race and become the National champ. |
The excitement before the race was palpable. |
Argentina's Leandro Mercado was on pace to win the East points, but visa troubles kept him out of the country for several races earlier in the year. |
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After a heat wave in Florida earlier during the previous week, Sunday turned out to be cool and crisp. Among the cold were Parker, Josh Day, Tyler Odom, and Russ Wikle. |
Former Scott Russell/Chandler/Bostroms crew chief Gary Medley was at 'Tona consulting with LTD Racing. |
East points champ Josh Day won pole position on his ESP Yamaha. |
Huntley Nash rode a Yamaha R6, too. He finished ninth after battling Kris Turner to the line for eighth place. |
Three riders battled for the lead early on: Day, Mercado, and Joey Pascarella. |
On the final lap, Mercado (#92) drafted by Day (#4) to take the win. |
Pascarella's teammate Tomas Puerta of Colombia (#12) also made the slingshot move on the final lap to earn third place. |
Mercado is 17 years old and came to the US last season to race in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. |
Puerta was pumped after he earned his first Supersport podium of 2009. |
Richard Stanboli's Attack Kawasaki team fielded Mercado this season. |
AMA Pro took the top three bikes to the tech area after the race. |
Good, wholesome fun for all. |
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