From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Floridian Michael Barnes Has High Hopes For Fall Cycle Scene At Daytona

It doesn’t take too much to get Michael Barnes’ juices flowing when talking about racing Daytona International Speedway.

If the thrill of turning speeds in excess of 170 mph on the high banks isn’t enough, having a huge crowd of family and friends in attendance will certainly do it.

Barnes, a native of Boca Raton, Fla., and a former resident in Daytona Beach, will have plenty of supporters rooting for him at the “World Center of Racing” during the 22nd annual Fall Cycle Scene on Oct. 17-20.

Barnes, who rides the No. 34 Hooters Mountain Dew Suzuki in the Formula USA National Road Race Series, lived in Daytona Beach for a few years while attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

“I’d probably say, well, I’ve got so many friends,” Barnes said laughing when trying to estimate how many guests he’ll have at Daytona during Fall Cycle Scene. “There’s just tons of people. I’ve got a lot of local friends around Daytona and a lot of friends from down South. I couldn’t even put a number to it.”

Barnes decided to cut short his education at Embry-Riddle to pursue a career in motorcycle racing.

“I had showed some interest in racing and started taking school less seriously,” Barnes said. “It went the way I wanted it to which was pretty good. I didn’t think it was going to be that easy to make something of it. It’s been a real exciting 14 or 15 years so far.”

Barnes will have his eye on three Formula USA championships during the Fall Cycle Scene – the Lockhart-Phillips Superbike, the Buell Lightning Series and the Pro Honda Oils Sportbike. After the Aug. 1-4 event at Elkhart Lake, Wis., Barnes sits in the top three in points in all three divisions.

“Right now, I’m sitting second, second and third,” Barnes said. “I’ve definitely got some points to make up.”

Barnes should feel confident entering Daytona International Speedway, a track he knows well. He has scored numerous victories at DIS, including the second leg of the Lockhart-Phillips Superbike in March during Daytona 200 Week.

“I like to hope so,” said Barnes about having an advantage at DIS. “It’s kind of proven to me in the past, not all the time. I’ve had my misfortunes at Daytona, just like everybody has misfortunes just about everywhere. It depends on how well you’re prepared. That’s probably the biggest key.”

Tickets for Fall Cycle Scene are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.