Loris Baz takes his first MotoAmerica Superbike race win to finish off 2024

 Sunnyvale, Calif., September 30, 2024 — He’s been threatening to stand on the top step of the podium for so long. Still, Loris Baz finally made it happen today by winning race two of the final round of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
 

A day after Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati teammate Josh Herrin clinched the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship with victory in race one, the green flag flew under threatening skies, and Baz took the lead at turn one on lap two, diving underneath Herrin and Cameron Petersen and beginning a metronomic pace at the head of the field.
 

Shielded by Herrin for the first half of the race, Baz would eventually have to defend the lead on his own as Sean Dylan Kelly and Bobby Fong closed in during the last laps, the Frenchman putting the hammer down on the final lap to charge to his first race victory in 11 years and first win on American soil.
 

Herrin was at the front early on but faded to sixth at the end of the race. However, his season as champion was assured yesterday after he took Ducati’s first AMA MotoAmerica Superbike title win in 30 years on Saturday.
 

2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship After Round Nine (final standings)
P1 – Josh Herrin (Ducati) 350
P2 – Cameron Beaubier 280
P3 – Bobby Fong 253
P4 – Sean Dylan Kelly 226
P5 – Loris Baz (Ducati) 224
 

Loris Baz (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#76)
“I have no words,” Baz said. “I’m so proud of what we did as a team this season but especially since the last round at Austin. I want to thank team manager Bobby Shek, Ducati North America, and Warhorse HSBK Racing because they gave me a chance to return to America after my 2021 season.
 

“This weekend, it was different within the team. Maybe it was less pressure due to Josh taking the title, but we worked really well at this track. I knew I was close to winning a race this year, but I’m so happy to have finally done it. I really want to come back next year with this team. I love everyone in this team.”
 

Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#2)
“What a crazy year and weekend it’s been,” Herrin said. “Thirty years since Ducati got a championship in America is crazy to think about. I was four years old the last time they won a Superbike title in America. To be a part of this, to experience it, and to have Eraldo Ferracci well and kicking—it’s left me speechless.
 

“I’m sure it will sink in over the next few days because the weekend is full of emotion. I’m so happy Loris got the win today. That needed to happen for the team, and it was just a super special moment. Thank you to everyone involved in this project for making the year as great as it was.”