Strange tickets situation, need advice

[clean2g]

So about a month ago I was passing some cars in the HOV lane, and I was alone, so yes I am at fault for that. Here is what I find strange: I passed the cop while he was standing on the side of the road about a mile back. He then comes flying up on my left side, no lights at this point, and I had moved over into normal lanes by then. I'm trying to focus on not rear ending or hitting someone and for about 30 seconds he's on my left side driving right next to me. I think he was motioning something but I couldn't look away in fear of hitting another car.

So then he comes behind me and goes on my right side for like another 30 seconds or so and I finally get a chance to look over at him and he motions two with his fingers and points to the HOV lane. So I acknowledge by nodding my head, and then he comes behind me.. follows me for about 20 seconds or so before he finally pulls me over and gives me a citation for "Fail to obey traffic control signal (hov/carpool)". So I guess my questions is, do I have a case to appeal and is it worth appealing?

And just my luck, today I get another ticket for speeding, I guess I wasn't paying attention. I was clocked doing 72 in a 55, but got it reduced to 64 in a 55. The cop said that since my record is clean, I can do the whole "No same for similar/dimmler law". I just have to tell them that when I call to pay for the ticket. Will my previous HOV ticket screw today's ticket up?

I haven't paid for either yet. I just found out how much the HOV ticket was because it finally showed up in their system a few days ago.