Superbike series enjoys Jordan's superstar boost

TOOELE — Some familiar names will be in the lineup for this weekend's superbike series, names like Ben Spies, Mat Mladin and Michael Jordan.

Oh, yes, Michael Jordan of basketball fame. And Spies and Mladin of superbike fame.

Jordan, it was pointed out last year, was a closet motorcycle junkie during his basketball career. Now he's sponsor of the Michael Jordan Suzuki race team. And, on occasion, he shows up at races to monitor racing and even ride.

It seems Jordan rode motorcycles in his younger years. Now, the report is, good riders would have a hard time keeping up with the much-taller Jordan.

Story is that when Jordan started out on a superbike he had some difficulty adapting his 6-foot-6 frame on a standard frame of the motorcycle that was intended for much shorter riders. So the bike was modified. Pegs were moved around and even the seat was adjusted.

Jordan will be at the track this weekend as a spectator. His hope is that his presence will bring attention to a sport trying hard to get front-page coverage.

Last year the names to watch in the first pro event at the Miller Motorsports Park were Spies and Mladin. This year Spies, from Henderson, Nev., and Mladin of Longview, Texas, are leading the points standings 10 races into the 19-race season.

After riding the Miller track, Spies called the track "nice" and very different from other tracks on the circuit.

"It's fast and has some huge changes ... 190 mile per hour straight that goes into the first three turns where you'll hit 130 to 140 with your knee down. Then at the end you'll have to drop down to 45 mph. No, it's wide and fast and smooth. ... It's the best track we go to," he said.

At the last superbike event this year, Spies crashed in a warm-up run and lost to Mladin. Spies also lost the lead in series standing. The next day, in the second race of the event, he had to be helped onto the seat of his bike. And, despite all the bumps and bruises he won the race and won back his series lead. Mladin held the lead for 24 hours before Spies made his comeback.

Only two points — 307 to 305 — separate the two riders in the overall season standings. Both riders are members of the Yoshimura Suzuki team.

Spies won one of last year's doubleheader, and Jake Zemke won the second. Zemke rides for Honda.

Saturday, another event, the supermoto, will be held on a custom track north of the main track.