Josh Herrin claimed the 2013 AMA Superbike crown by 15 points over teammate Josh Hayes. Image: Brian J Nelson/AMA Pro Racing.

Monster Energy Graves Yamaha riders have again dominated the final round of AMA Pro Superbike competition at Laguna Seca, with Josh Hayes taking the race win and Josh Herrin sealing a maiden title.

In terms of outright pace, there was little anyone could do to match Hayes, with the veteran rider maximising his track position at the start to shoot off ahead of the field.

Hayes racked up his 41st career AMA SBK win by a 13.434-second margin, but it was the man running second who had it all to play for.

23-year-old Herrin displayed a mix of pace and patience to come home second, ending the season with a 15-point margin over his elder teammate to wrap up a deserved title.

“I think the best word to describe my season is ‘consistency.’ We were real consistent all year,” explained Hayes.

“We got lucky at a lot of races, but at the same time we were smart and rode real consistent and it paid off in the end. Overall, it went great.”

“This has been a lifelong dream of mine, and it’s finally come true. I can’t even explain the emotions right now.

“Coming around that last lap, I just filled up with tears. I could barely see where I was going. I’ve never felt that kind of emotion before.”

Hayes has been far and away the fastest rider this season but a spate of issues – mechanical failures, jump start and crashes factored in – meant he had to settle for runner-up.

“It was a great weekend,” said Hayes. “This is two good Laguna Secas this year for me. I’ve had a great season and I’m proud of the things I’ve accomplished.

“I really think the story today is Josh [Herrin] winning his #1 plate. He did what he needed to do and when the pressure was on, he stepped up.”

Outside of the duelling factory Yamaha battle came the fight for third place.

With Michael Jordan Motorsports pairing Roger Hayden and Danny Eslick racing in the World Superbike ranks, the contest closed up between Yoshimura Suzuki Racing’s Martin Cardenas, KTM/HMC’s Chris Fillmore and Pegram Racing’s Larry Pegram.

Cardenas pressured Hayes at the start but his charge came to nothing when he crashed his Suzuki on just the second lap.

Fillmore and Pegram duked it out for the final minor podium placing, with the KTM rider leading in the final lap before his bike stuttered as the fuel tank ran near on empty.

Pegram narrowly avoided a collision and crossed the line third, while Fillmore was forced to push his bike over the finish line in order to salvage seventh.

Motorsport.com/EBR II’s Cory West claimed fourth from fellow EBR 1190R rider Aaron Yates, with Taylor Knapp, Fillmore, Aussie Dave Racing’s Dave Anthony, Trent Gibson and Kevin Pinkstaff completing the top 10.

In terms of the title race, Cardenas was confirmed a comfortable third place despite the crash, with his closest challengers Hayden (fourth) and Eslick (fifth) not in contention this weekend.

Pegram, Fillmore, Yates and Geoff May filled the next places on the title ladder, with Aussie Anthony rounding out a consistent season in 10th overall.

AMA Pro Superbike Championship
Round nine – Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA

Superbike race:
1. Josh Hayes
2. Josh Herrin +13.434
3. Larry Pegram +21.073
4. Cory West +30.267
5. Aaron Yates +33.353
6. Taylor Knapp +36.616
7. Chris Fillmore +55.546
8. David Anthony +56.763
9. Trent Gibson +1 Lap
10. Kevin Pinkstaff +1 Lap
11. Mathew Orange +1 Lap
12. Johnny Rock Page +1 Lap
13. Chris Clark +8 Laps
14. Chris Ulrich +3 Laps
15. Martin Cardenas +1 Lap
DNF. Geoff May

Championship standings (after round nine of nine):
1. Josh Herrin 345
2. Josh Hayes 330
3. Martin Cardenas 297
4. Roger Hayden 228
5. Danny Eslick 213
6. Larry Pegram 190
7. Chris Fillmore 183
8. Aaron Yates 162
9. Geoff May 161
10. David Anthony 159
18. Trent Gibson (AUS) 42

Click here for detailed results