Racing

MotoAmerica: New Jersey Motorsports Park in Photos

Rain changes everything.

May 14, 2016

In racing, rain is the great equalizer. It can change the course of any rider's season for better or for worse. And it also makes for some interesting photos.

Heading into the first of two New Jersey Motorsports Park weekends, defending Superbike champion Cameron Beaubier and his Monster Energy Graves Yamaha teammate Josh Hayes were behind and suffering from an incredibly lackluster start to the season. In 2015, the pair won every single race on the calendar, but 2016 saw former Moto2 champ, Spaniard Toni Elias, take three-straight wins between CoTA and Race 1 at Road Atlanta, when Hayes took out Beaubier, both scoring DNFs.

Everything changed at a rainy NJMS, when Beaubier took wins in both races and Hayes took over the points lead, as Yoshimura Suzuki teammates Elias and Roger Hayden got a taste of bad luck for the first time this year. Scroll down for a look at how it all went down in photos.

And now, here's to hoping things are a little more dry this weekend at Virginia International Raceway, which is another new track for Elias. That and the momentum of the Yamaha guys promises that this weekend will be a pivotal one.

Jake Gagne and Jake Gagne's hair at a rain-soaked New Jersey Motorsports Park.Brian J. Nelson

Corey Alexander proves he's not afraid to get a little sideways. He'd go on to end up on the podium in his first outing on the Ducati Panigale R.Brian J. Nelson`

Toni Elias didn't have the same success at NJMP as he'd had at CoTA and Road Atlanta.Brian J. Nelson

Josh Hayes passing on the outside and looking comfortable in the rain.Brian J. Nelson

Roger Hayden is still looking for his first win of the 2016 season.Brian J. Nelson

Aprilia RSV4's love wheelies, rain or shine.Brian J. Nelson

So do Yamaha R1s.Brian J. Nelson

Joe Roberts getting up to speed in his first full Supersport season with the Wheels In Motion/Meen Yamaha team.Brian J. Nelson

Dustin Meador filling in for an injured Josh Day.Brian J. Nelson

Hayden Gillim on his Man in a Van with a Plan backed GSX-R1000. Gillim left Jersey with his first Superstock 1000 podium on the season.Brian J. Nelson

Cameron Beaubier talks with Jake Zemke.Brian J. Nelson

Yamaha riders Garrett Gerloff and JD Beach keeping close company at New Jersey Motorsports Park.Brian J. Nelson

Kyle Wyman on the Millennium Technologies/Kyle Wyman Racing R1.Brian J. Nelson

Andy DiBrino standing out on his ICON/Motosport.com/DiBrino Racing R6. Wait, wasn't camo supposed to help you to NOT stand out?Brian J. Nelson

Brandon Paasch leads a gaggle of KTM RC390s on his AXcess Racing KTM.Brian J. Nelson

Heading into turn one at NJMP in the wet.Brian J. Nelson

JD Beach celebrates after a successful weekend in Jersey.Brian J. Nelson

Bryce Prince on his Riders Discount Tuned Racing Yamaha R6.Brian J. Nelson

Larry Pegram filled in for an injured (and now retired) Chris Ulrich in New Jersey.Brian J. Nelson