On his way to dominating both races at Miller Motorsports Park, Spies also took advantage of Haga's crash in the practice session prior to the Sunday races, as the Japanese rider only managed some 9th and 8th placed in North America.
Spies practically owned the weekend in Utah, as he won both races from pole position, while also setting the fastest times and a track record of his own. There was practically little one could have done on Sunday, as the only option left was the runner-up spot. Not even a race interruption during Race 1 – following a Lap 7 crash involving Australian rider Karl Muggeridge (Celani Suzuki) – was able to stop the Texan from clinching a dominating win ahead of last year's double winner Carlos Checa.
Michel Fabrizio had to settle for 3rd place in Race 1 and the runner-up spot in Race 2, as Spies proved once again unbeatable during the last race of the weekend. Although managing to stay close to the Yamaha rider for most of the race, Fabrizio lost pace in the closing stages of the competition and eventually had to settle for a second podium on Sunday. Completing the podium in the second race was Jonathan Rea.
Rea was actually the second big winner of the second race, as he had to fight hard for 3rd place with Leon Haslam. The Stiggy Racing Honda rider eventually crashed out with only two corners left into the race, taking the pressure off of Rea and practically gifting him with a valuable 3rd place.
“It's good to get a double win here, unfortunately we know Haga's not 100% but you've got to capitalize on the weekend and we made up some points,” said Spies after the race.
The Texan has now cut Haga's point advantage at the top of the standings to only 53 points, while Fabrizio secured 3rd place, some 11 points behind.
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