Herrin Takes 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike Title

Josh Herrin of Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati won his second AMA Superbike Championship at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Although Herrin could have played it safe, he fought hard, moving from fifth place on the opening lap to first by lap 11. After briefly losing the lead to Bobby Fong on lap 15, Herrin reclaimed it with two laps to go, securing a narrow victory by .403 seconds. This marked his sixth win of the season and 16th career AMA Superbike win, giving Ducati its first championship in 30 years. Herrin now holds an unbeatable 58-point lead over Cameron Beaubier.

Josh Herrin – Winner “At the beginning, it was getting hectic. Everybody was all over the place. I was just trying to be relaxed and calm, like I talked about. Like (Cameron) Beaubier did. Just trying to learn from that over the years and just be calm at the beginning, even when things aren’t going your way. I was able to do that today and then put my head down and start picking them away. I just felt so comfortable, and it looked like everybody else was so uncomfortable. When I was in the lead, I saw Bobby (Fong) behind me, and I just didn’t want to take any chances with him being there. So, I let him go by on the straight. I thought he was going by on the left, but he went by on the right. Then the last three laps I saw I had pace. So, I just wanted to get by with two to go and put my head down and see what I could, and we were able to get it done. I didn’t think this would ever happen. I thought I’d be finishing eighth or ninth today, for sure. I wanted to leave COTA by winning and win the championship by winning with Beaubier healthy there. I was able to do it today at a track that has never suited me on a Superbike. I believe this is my first Superbike win here when it wasn’t raining. It’s probably besides Barber the track that I have the least confidence at. So, for us to pull the win off here with the championship race is huge. To now have I think what should be a 62-point lead is crazy to me. Thank you to Loris (Baz) for honestly being the best teammate I’ve ever had, and for the team being the best team, and Joyce for always cooking us lunch and making sure that we’re taken care of, and Rachel for always taking care of crazy little Griffin whenever I’m at the races. I’m so happy that they were here to celebrate with us. Thank you to the whole Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati North America team. Ducati Corse, KYT helmets, Only Fans, Good Boy Vodka, GoPro, Alpinestars. The list goes on and on and on. Everybody that supports the team. Thank you so much. Thank you to MotoAmerica and everybody involved.”

Third Place – Loris Baz “Well, at the beginning I was comfortable. I was trying to understand what were the grip conditions first time with the dry conditions. So, we went out, and, unfortunately, I had a bad start. I could see everyone struggling in entry a lot. Beaubier almost highsided, (Cameron) Petersen, (Xavi) Forés. I was like, ‘that’s something strange.’ I was trying to figure it out but then I wanted to be in the lead and try to not go too fast and too hard on the rear tire because I didn’t know what to expect from the tire life. That race went on quick, to be honest. Then I saw Josh (Herrin) coming by, and I was like, okay, now things change. I wanted to stay behind him and (Bobby) Fong, but Fong was really close to him. I was just trying not to think too much but at the same time thinking a lot. I could see him looking behind. I was like, ‘he’s just trying to think as much as me.’ But then four laps to the end, five laps to the end, I look behind and I never do that. I thought it was Beaubier, so I just tried. I know it’s not someone crazy that’s going to dive-bomb and make three guys crash, but I was like, let’s just try to give us a small gap to Fong so he doesn’t dive to go for Josh. The last few laps I pushed again just so I was not in a position to be attacked. I was not going to try anything crazy on Josh, to be honest. I’m so happy and so proud of him. I never thought I could be happy for a teammate winning a championship and kicking my ass like this all season, but I’m really happy and proud of him.”