Bostrom remains the boss

FOUNTAIN - Eric Bostrom knows his way around Pikes Peak International Raceway.

So it came as little surprise Sunday when Bostrom, who had won the past three AMA Superbike Championships at the track, made a daring pass on the final lap to take the checkered flag in the closest finish ever at PPIR.

"He could win on a scooter at this place," said Ben Spies, who finished third behind Bostrom and Aaron Yates.

Bostrom needed all 48 laps to win his record sixth title at PPIR. Yates came into Turn 1 of the final lap with a slim lead and plenty of optimism.

"I was leading and things felt pretty good," Yates said. "I started to think 'Hey, I'm going to win this thing.' "

But when Yates' bike got loose coming out of the turn, Bostrom didn't let the opportunity pass.

"Aaron got into the turn pretty deep because he was protecting the brakes and gave me a chance to put the bike upright on the middle of the tires and punch past him," Bostrom said.

Bostrom held off Yates through the infield corners then hammered it to the finish after Turn 4 to win by .255 of a second.

"Eric's always going to be a contender here," Yates said. "I was just hoping to keep hold of him."

Bostrom, who started second, took the lead on the opening lap and held it until Yates passed him with 14 laps remaining. That's the way it stayed until the final lap.

"I got one last chance to do it and I did it," Bostrom said.

Bostrom, who is fourth in the season standings, earned 37 points with the victory.

Points leader Mat Mladin started from the pole but a bad start pushed him back to seventh. He finished fourth.

Miguel Duhamel started in sixth but jumped the gun and received a stop-and-go penalty. He finished ninth.

TOP 10

1. Eric Bostrom, Ducati 999R, 48 laps

2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 48

3. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 48

4. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 48

5. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10RR, 48

6. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 48

7. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR1000RR, 48

8. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 47

9. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR, 47

10. Brent George, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 47

Copyright 2005
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