Kelly, Beach and Fong chase Scholtz at pivotal Laguna Seca

MotoAmerica’s Quad Lock Superbike Championship returned to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in the Monterey Peninsula as part of the series’ season-long 50 Years of Superbike Racing celebration, with the round framed as a major test in a tight title battle. Mathew Scholtz arrived as the points leader, holding a five-point edge over Sean Dylan Kelly aboard his Strack Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 after recovering from an opening-round mechanical failure and a difficult weekend at Road America.

Laguna Seca, a 2.238-mile, 11-turn circuit, remains one of the most important stops on the championship calendar. JD Beach sat third in the standings, 34 points behind the leader, and Bobby Fong was fourth and still within striking distance in the title fight. Andrew Lee led the Superbike Cup standings by 84 points.

The weekend also carried a strong tribute to the sport’s history. Laguna Seca named Eddie Lawson and Bubba Shobert co-grand marshals in recognition of their combined eight AMA Superbike and Grand National titles. The event included a Dunlop Hot Pit Walk, autograph sessions on Saturday and Sunday, and scheduled appearances by MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey and Fred Merkel.