Returning for his third year with Yamaha, the 2009 season will see Ben Bostrom compete in the AMA American Superbike class on the all new crossplane-crankshaft YZF-R1 prepared by Yamaha Factory Racing, riding as number 2. He will also compete in selected AMA Daytona Sportbike races, riding with his number 1 plate aboard the Graves Motorsports championship-winning YZF-R6, starting with the season-opening Daytona Beach round. As last year’s Daytona Supersport winner, Ben likes his chances in the 200-mile race.

Since his early days on the dirt track circuit, Ben Bostrom has been that rare combination of affable, laid-back guy in the paddock and fierce, no-holds-barred competitor on the racetrack. Ben grew up riding with, learning from, and idolizing the dirt track legends of the ’60s and ’70s. By the time he’d hit his late teens, Ben – the 1993 AMA Flat Track Rookie of the Year – was traveling up and down the East Coast to as many dirt track races as possible, hoping to earn a few hundred dollars at each event just so he could make it to the next.

Ben’s big break was a chance to show what he could do in the AMA’s highly competitive 600 Supersport class. His performance soon earned the attention of factory squads and 1998 found Bostrom on the grid as a full-fledged Superbike rider. As race fans now know, however, you couldn’t have designed a tougher year for a Superbike rookie. After his veteran teammate suffered a season-ending injury, the eyes of the factory turned to Ben, who was soon involved in a high-pressure, down-to-the-last-race battle with the reigning Superbike champ. In the end, though, it was the rookie who triumphed, a feat virtually unheard of in AMA Superbike history.

Ben’s career has since included many trips to the podium in the Superbike class here and in World Superbike competition. After a three-year stint in Europe, Ben returned to the US, earning a dozen Superbike podium finishes and the 2003 AMA Supermoto Championship, as well as the Inaugural Supermoto Gold Medal at the 2004 X-Games.

Ben joined the Graves Motorsports Team in 2007 where he took 2nd overall in the AMA Superstock class on the YZF-R1. Last season saw Ben experience a truly re-energized career as he won six events and the 2008 AMA 600 Supersport Championship aboard the Graves Motorsports prepared YZF-R6.

With his exceptional talent and winning experience, Ben promises to be a formidable competitor in the AMA Superbike class.