Cameron Beaubier won the first of two Steel Commander Superbike races Saturday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, securing his fourth victory of the 2024 season. The five-time MotoAmerica Superbike champion narrowed the championship gap to 41 points behind Josh Herrin, tightening the title race among the top three contenders, officials said.
The victory marked Beaubier’s fourth win of the 2024 season. Despite recovering from a broken heel injury that sidelined him for several rounds earlier this year, Beaubier delivered a dominant performance, sources confirmed, with a margin of victory that was even larger before he slowed down for a final-corner celebration.
Beaubier crossed the finish line 1.1 seconds ahead of championship leader Josh Herrin in the first of two Steel Commander Superbike races held Saturday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, officials said.
Prior to the race, Beaubier trailed Wrench Motorcycles rider Bobby Fong by 55 points in the championship standings, according to official MotoAmerica records. With the win, he narrowed the gap to 41 points behind Herrin, who had held a slim one-point lead over teammate Jake Gagne before the event. The three top contenders—Herrin, Gagne, and Cameron Petersen—were separated by just three points overall entering Saturday’s race, officials said. Beaubier’s victory prevented any of the leaders from extending their advantage, positioning the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike champion as the most significant threat in the points race.
Herrin finished second, followed by Gagne in third place, completing the podium at Laguna Seca, according to race results. Loris Baz, Herrin’s teammate on the Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing team, finished sixth, less than one second behind Gagne. Xavi Forés of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki took seventh place, while Danilo Lewis secured ninth and claimed the Superbike Cup class division victory.
The Steel Commander Superbike Championship features a highly competitive field, including factory-supported teams such as Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati and Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing, officials said. The weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca included two scheduled races, with challenging track conditions that tested rider skill and motorcycle performance throughout the competition.
Beaubier’s return to competition after missing several rounds due to his broken heel injury demonstrated his capability to immediately contend for wins, sources confirmed. His dominant race performance indicated both physical recovery and competitive readiness, accelerating his championship recovery trajectory significantly.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, located in Monterey, California, is known for its demanding layout and has hosted multiple rounds of the MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Championship. The track’s characteristics contributed to the close competition witnessed during Saturday’s race, officials said.
The championship structure includes the main Superbike class and the Stock 1000 spec Superbike Cup division, with riders and teams competing across both categories. The competitive field and tight points standings underscore the intensity of the 2024 season as it progresses toward its conclusion.
