Bostrom Qualifies On Front Row At Daytona - March 10th 2006

Ben Bostrom of the Parts Unlimited Ducati Team will start on the front row for Saturday's Daytona Superbike race aboard his factory Ducati 999. Bostrom was third in Thursday's session with a time of 1:38.012, held in sunny, cool Florida weather. Teammate Neil Hodgson qualified sixth with a time of 1:38.491 and showed a consistent pace throughout qualifying that he hopes to maintain for race distance.

"It's good to be on the front row, but at the same time, I'm a little disappointed," said Bostrom, the 1998 AMA Superbike champion. "As sure as I threw my leg over that motorcycle, I thought I could have done a high 1:36 and I thought no one could stop me for pole position. The track really changed out there for our second session, though. There wasn't as much grip as I would have liked. The times from the others were pretty hot but I don't know if the other guys can turn those lap times all day on Saturday. We're looking really good for the race, especially since the Ducati seems to pull all the way down the straight. The 999 seems like a quick starter off the line, too. I can't wait."

Bostrom has plenty of experience at Daytona, and won the pole and finished second in 2003. However, Ben raced in Europe last season and missed the inaugural race on the new track configuration. Neil Hodgson finished a competitive second in last year's race, though, despite it being just his first attempt on the high banks of Daytona.

"The race package we have is quite good," said Hodgson, a resident of the Isle of Man. "We have chosen a tire and we know exactly what we have with our settings. There are some races that you aren't sure of where you stand, but this isn't one of them. Looking at the lap-by-lap times of all the riders, I think it's going to be a close race. I'm a little disappointed to be on the second row. I thought we had enough to start out front, but that's racing."

Saturday's 15-lap race will begin at 11:15 AM local time;

Qualifying Times:

1. 1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki - 1:37.075
2. 2. Ben Spies, Suzuki - 1:37.559
3. 3. Ben Bostrom, Ducati - 1:38.012
4. 4. Miguel Duhamel, Honda - 1:38.337
5. 5. Jake Zemke, Honda - 1:38.398
6. 6. Neil Hodgson, Ducati - 1:38.491
7. 7. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki - 1:38.573
8. 8. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki - 1:38.904