Daytona 200 2026: Josh Herrin, never say it's lost!

As usual, the 84th edition of the Daytona 200 kept its promises, delivering its winner at the last moment, after many dramatic twists! 

Having already summarized the forces involved and the trials, let's move directly to the race, now integrated into the MotoAmerica, by recalling the starting grid.

Josh Herrin (Rahal Ducati Moto) takes the lead from the first of 57 laps and pulls away a little with PJ Jacobsen (Rahal Ducati Moto), then red flag at the end of the first lap because of #521 who fell and remained motionless on the ground for a moment before being rescued and getting up.

Same starting grid, 56 laps distance for the second start.
56 laps but this year fuel tanks limited to 15,5 litres, hence probably a strategy of 3 pit stops instead of 2 for some…

Second start, another crash at the first corner…

Meanwhile, Josh Herrin escapes again before being caught by the slipstream Darryn binder (Celtic/Economy Lube + Tire/Warhorse), PJ Jacobsen et Tyler Scott (M4 ECSTAR Suzuki).

Despite his inexperience with the ring, Darryn Binder He takes the lead on his Ducati but is overtaken on all sides in the slipstream: learning the ropes…

PJ Jacobsen inaugurates refueling on lap 13, leaving all his opponents on the track.

There were some issues upon restarting, Josh Herrin One lap later, the other leading men continue. Tyler Scott and Richie Escalante (M4 ECSTAR Suzuki) in command.
Does the Suzuki consume less fuel?
Tyler Scott et Richie Escalante refueling on lap 16.

Once all the tanks are filled, PJ Jacobsen finds himself in the lead, 2 seconds ahead Richie Escalante et Tyler Scottas Josh Herrin and Darryn Binder They are gradually coming back together.

Standings after the 22nd round:

Darryn binder gradually dropped back and eventually stopped on lap 30, seemingly leaving a quartet to fight for the honors.

Josh Herrin et PJ Jacobsen stop 28 laps from the checkered flag. Unsurprisingly, the Suzukis of Richie Escalante et Tyler Scott continue.
Tyler Scott refueling one lap later, Richie Escalante Two. This doesn't seem sufficient to make a difference to the strategy…

Upon resumption, the standings present Josh Herrin with PJ Jacobsen in his wheel, Then Richie Escalante 4 seconds ahead, but with 25 laps to go he loses control of his Suzuki in the infield: race over!

Tyler Scott With an 8-second lead, victory seems assured for Ducati, regardless of the outcome of the duel between the two leaders. But let's wait and see…

With 20 laps to go, PJ Jacobsen does not seem to be forcing the issue and remains within striking distance of his teammate, who is seeking his fourth consecutive victory.
Tyler Scott is now 18 seconds behind: barring a dramatic turn of events, the game is over!

The two leading men are watching each other and know that there can't be the slightest incident during the final refueling stop…

They dive into the pit lane at the same time with 12 laps to go.

In a dramatic turn of events, Josh Herrin hits a cameraman while restarting the car!

Nothing is definitive, but the black Ducati is losing a few seconds to its yellow sister, a few seconds that will be hard to make up and that could determine the victory…

With 11 laps to go, Tyler Scott abandons command to refuel, leaving the two men to battle it out for the top two spots on the podium. PJ Jacobsen 5 seconds ahead Josh Herrin.

Five seconds can no longer be made up by drafting, and obviously, to snatch his first victory, PJ Jacobsen Give it your all in this moment…

But probably too much because, In a dramatic turn of events, PJ Jacobsen falls in the infield!

With 7 laps to go, we know the winner, a five-time winner including four consecutive victories: Josh Herrin !

Hats off also to Kaylka Yaakov (Rahal Ducati Moto), 3rd on the podium after overtaking Darryn Binder on the line, and the first woman to do so at Daytona!

How to watch MotoAmerica?

As a reminder, it is possible to watch MotoAmerica via the streaming platform MotoAmerica Live+Some of the categories involved are also available for free via the channel YouTube of MotoAmerica.