Rainey Briefly Overtakes Baldwin In Superbike

Rainey briefly overtakes Baldwin in Superbike

RACE WATCH

Kawasaki’s Wayne Rainey moved into a tie for the points lead in the U.S. Superbike Championship series by finishing third at Loudon and winning at Pocono and Laguna Seca. But Rainey’s bike broke at Portland and Baldwin again led in points.

Rainey's third at Loudon came behind winner Mike Baldwin and runner-up Wes Cooley, who battled Baldwin in a fierce duel for the win. Rainey’s bike started jumping out of third gear early in the race, and Rainey, who led the first three laps, was passed by Cooley and Baldwin. Baldwin eventually finished 3 sec. ahead of Cooley.

Rainey had an easy time of it at Pocono after Honda's Fred Merkel retired with engine problems, since both Baldwin and Cooley were out with injuries ( Baldwin crashed in F-l practice at Pocono; Cooley crashed in the Loudon F-l race).

Laguna Seca marked Baldwin’s first ride since breaking his wrist at Pocono; he had surgery to pin the break just two weeks before the Laguna race. Despite severe pain, Baldwin passed Rainey several times but in the end, Rainey won. Honda support riders Fred Merkel, Roberto Pietri, Sam McDonald and John Bettencourt followed Baldwin across the line. Cooley crashed in practice and rebroke the arm he injured at Loudon, and so missed the race.

In Portland, Oregon, Rainey raced for the lead of the first l 6-lap leg with Merkel and Baldwin. But Rainey’s bike broke a piston on the 1 2th lap while Rainey held second place. Merkel won, with Baldwin second. In the second leg, Rainey finished less than two bike lengths behind Merkel, with Baldwin, encountering engine problems, farther back in third. Rainey was officially credited with 13th overall, and Baldwin’s points lead was restored.