John Hopkins (No. 21) leads the Lockhart Phillips USA 750 Supersport race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in July of 2000. Hopkins was racing a Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R750 and is behind chased by Mike Ciccotto (No. 13), Hopkins’ teammate Grant Lopez (No. 15), Roger Lee Hayden (No. 95) and a 16-year-old Ben Spies (also with Valvoline EMGO Suzuki), in his very first AMA Pro race. Lopez eventually got into the lead and pulled away to win the race over Hopkins and Damon Buckmaster. Hopkins went on to win the 750 Supersport Championship that season.

John Hopkins (No. 21) leads the Lockhart Phillips USA 750 Supersport race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in July of 2000. Hopkins was racing a Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R750 and is behind chased by Mike Ciccotto (No. 13), Hopkins’ teammate Grant Lopez (No. 15), Roger Lee Hayden (No. 95) and a 16-year-old Ben Spies (also with Valvoline EMGO Suzuki), in what would be his first AMA Pro race. (Henny Ray Abrams photo)