This weekend, from March 5 to 7, will take place the DAYTONA 200The 84th edition of America's most historic motorcycle race, which has challenged the world's best motorcycle racers for over seven decades and whose history has evolved from the hard sands of Daytona Beach to the iconic Daytona International Speedway, nicknamed the "World Center of Racing"! And since this year also marks "50 Years of Superbike Racing," it's the perfect opportunity to revisit some of that history…
The Daytona 200 is a 200-mile motorcycle race held annually since 1937 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The race was first held on the Daytona Beach Road Course, a 3,2-mile track that included both the beach and the adjacent road. The first Daytona 200 race was held on January 24, 1937, and was won by Ed Kretz on an Indian motorcycle.
Importantly, the cars were also racing on the same track, which would allow for bigger things…
However, as this race becomes more and more dangerous and difficult to manage, Bill France Sr. decided in 1953 to build a dedicated running track, returning the beach to almost its original use.
Bill France Sr. had in fact realized that the days of racing on the beach were numbered due to the increasing use of it by a rapidly growing population and huge crowds coming to enjoy the pleasures of the ocean. Bill France Sr. put its plans in motion on April 4, 1953 with a proposal to build a permanent speedway facility. On August 16, 1954, he signed a contract with Daytona Beach city and Volusia County officials to build what would become the
Daytona International Speedway, the “World Center of Racing”. In 1957, land clearing began for the Speedway. The circuit was built on a 480-acre site that had previously been a tomato farm, and the cost of construction was then approximately $3 million.
The famous banked banks were included in the track design in order to achieve high speeds and make it easier for fans to see the cars racing around the 2,5-mile tri-oval.
Racing moved from the beach course to the Daytona International Speedway in 1959 and the first car race, the DAYTONA 500, was held on February 22 in front of a crowd of more than 41, won by Lee Petty in a photo finish, two years before the terrible crash that would end his career at the same place.
In 1959, cars included both hardtops and convertibles (this was the only DAYTONA 500 that included convertibles).
The Daytona 200 was incorporated into the AMA Grand National Championship in 1961, but the motorcycle race continued to be held on the beach until 1965. In 1966, the race was moved to the brand new Daytona International Speedway, where it was held. has stood since then, with certain changes to the layout over time, to adapt to changing safety standards and the demands of modern racing.
We still use today the famous banking and its banked 31° turns, but with a “road” part which takes some pressure off the tires, especially since we abandoned Grand Prix motorcycles in the mid-80s. for the benefit of Superbikes then Supersport.
Besides NASCAR and the Daytona 200 motorcycle race, the Daytona International Speedway has also hosted other races, including, the Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance race and the Daytona Supercross. The Daytona International Speedway has been the scene of many historic moments in motorsport, including the first NASCAR race won by a female driver (Danica Patrick during the 500 Daytona 2013 qualifying race), the closest finish in Daytona 500 history (in 2016, when Denny Hamlin beaten down Martin Truex Jr. of 0,010 seconds) and the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. during the Daytona 500 in 2001.
Over the years, the Daytona 200 has also been won by some of the biggest names in motorcycle racing, including Jarno Saarinen, Patrick Pons (still the last non-English speaking driver to win there), Kenny Roberts, Giacomo Agostini, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey and Miguel Duhamel.
The most successful drivers in Daytona 200 history are Scott Russell, who won the race five times between 1992 and 1995, and Miguel Duhamel, who also won five times between 1991 and 2005.
The Daytona 200 was run as part of the AMA Pro Road Racing Series, and the race featured a variety of categories, including Superbikes, Formula Xtreme and Daytona SportBikes in the past, Supersport today.
The Daytona 200 took place in 2019, won by Kyle Wyman on Yamaha, but was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, by 7 thousandths of a second, Brandon Pasch repeats his 2021 victory on a Triumph during an 80th edition postponed many times due to rain.
In 2023, MotoAmerica, home of the AMA Superbike and the premier category of road motorcycle racing in North America, has partnered with DAYTONA to host the DAYTONA 200.
MotoAmerica Superbike and Supersport riders Jake GagneCameron Petersen, Josh Herrin, Josh Hayes, Sam Lochoff, Richie Escalante, as well as drivers from all over the world competed on the famous ring.
Josh Herrin started from pole position on his Ducati but was involved in a contentious incident with
Richie Escalante 8 laps from the finish.
In addition to the DAYTONA 200, the MotoAmerica weekend at DAYTONA was the opening round of the MotoAmerica Championship. Mission King Of The Baggers 2023, REV'IT! Twins Cup Championship and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. This was the second time that these last three categories will race on the banking of the superspeedway.
In 2024,, Josh HerrinOn his Ducati, he dominated with a 45-second lead, scoring his second victory. The pole-sitter Tyler Scott (Suzuki) finished second, Hayden Gillim (Suzuki) third, after the disqualification of Bobby Fong (Suzuki). A controversy marked the race with the disqualification of Bobby Fong for too large a fuel tank. Richie Escalante (Suzuki), initially second, finished fourth after running out of fuel on the last lap.
Regarding the King of the Baggers, Kyle Wyman won both races on a Harley-Davidson Road Glide. Troy Herfoss (Indian Challenger) finished second in both races, followed by James Rispoli (Harley-Davidson) in third place.
In 2025, Josh Herrin wins his third consecutive victory, again on his Ducati V2 for the Warhorse HSBK team. A fourth in a row this year?
Today, like some legendary sites such as Le Mans, Indianapolis or Suzuka, the Daytona International Speedway remains one of the most important and popular motorsport venues, attracting fans and drivers from all over the world, especially on four wheels…
What spectacle will “the Daytona 200” offer us next Saturday? We will know soon...
Sources and photo credits: MotoAmerica.com, daytonainternationalspeedway.com,
