Wins by AMA Superbike rookies don't come easily nor often. We take a look back at the sport's history to help put Martin Cardenas' achievement into perspective.
Chris Martin | Posted June 27, 2011 Iowa City, IA
Quick, think… How many victories did Mat Mladin, the all-time winningest rider in series history, ring up during his rookie AMA Pro Superbike season?
The answer? It just so happens to be exactly the same number taken by the current big three -- Josh Hayes, Blake Young, and Tommy Hayden -- during their rookie campaigns, as well as those of Colin Edwards, Doug Polen, and Scott Russell.
That is to say, one less than Martin Cardenas has already managed in his.
Do not underestimate the significance of the M4 Suzuki ace's maiden triumph. Rookie AMA Superbike wins are rare and momentous achievements. In fact, Cardenas is the only current AMA Superbike rider who can boast such an accomplishment.
Certainly the treacherous conditions in Race 1 at Barber Motorsports Park played a major role, but before you start downplaying his triumph as a result (and the humble Cardenas himself seemed all too eager to do just that after the race), realize that the same could be said of a the rookie wins of some of the greats who came before him… those who actually managed to score that elusive rookie win that is.
Now it's worth noting that there is some measure of technicality involved. Exactly what constitutes a Superbike rookie?
It's hard to lay out a precise definition beyond 'I know one when I see one,' but roughly, we must take time, intent, and commitment into consideration. For example, if a rider had made a handful of appearances in the Superbike class on a slick-shod Superstock machine (typically to get more track time for his primary focus, Superstock), he would still be eligible for Superbike rookie status. Similarly, if a talented prospect was awarded a 'preview' ride or two on a Superbike as has happened on several instances in the past (from Ben Spies to Nicky Hayden to Jake Zemke to Ben Bostrom to Mike Hale), he would remain eligible. However, if a young hotshot was snapped up to ride Superbike with a top team but ultimately spent most of that year sidelined due to injury, too bad, that injury-plagued season would still count as his rookie effort (in line with mainstream sports). And if a rider put forth a reasonably serious season's effort in Superbike -- even if it wasn't with one of the paddock's more fancied squads -- that counts as a rookie campaign as well.
With that out of the way, let's see where Superbike rookie Cardenas stacks up with his peers and then take a look back at the rookie efforts of some notable standouts from the modern history of AMA Superbike racing:
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