AMA SuperSport Report

Elena Myers, a teenager from Discovery Bay, made history on Saturday at Infineon Raceway, becoming the first female in history to win an AMA Pro Motorcycle Road Race.

Myers, who came close to victory earlier this season in Fontana (fourth) and Daytona, Fla. (seventh), came away with the win in the SuperSport class in front of a roaring hometown crowd in the Sonoma Valley.

Elena Myers says: “I’m in another world right now,” Myers said minutes after the race. “I can’t believe it.”

Myers (Suzuki) started eighth on the grid of the scheduled 18-lap race and moved her way through the field. She passed race-leader Joey Pascarella (Vacaville) on lap 9.

Pascarella lost control of his Ducati just long enough for Myers to pass on the inside entering Turn 7.

Pascarella crashed in Turn 10 on the same lap, bringing out the red flag. AMA officials declared the race final at that point, giving Myers the win. She was followed by top-qualifier Cameron Beaubier from Roseville (Yamaha) and Petaluma’s Tyler O’Hara (Yamaha). Pascarella wound up 18th.

Myers continues: “I’m just on another planet right now,” said Myers, who just attended her high school prom a few weeks ago and was competing in her first-ever professional race at Infineon Raceway. “The race went really good for me and some people made mistakes and I took advantage of it. It’s great to be at the top of the box. I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet.”

O’Hara understood the historical significance of Myers’ victory.

“I think it’s huge for the sport,” he said. “I think Elena just broke the barrier as a woman on a motorcycle at the top level. I’m proud of her, and happy and I like racing with her. … it’s going to bring a lot more fans and some more sponsors and make everything better.”

Myers will look to make it a sweep of the race weekend as the SuperSport class runs its second main event on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Infineon Raceway.

There will also be feature races in National Guard American SuperBike and Daytona SportBike, presented by AMSOIL. Race tickets are available at the gate.

[News & Picture Source]