Ernest Bensen Pogue, father of six, passed away on March 10th, at 88 years of age. Born October 25, 1937 he is survived by son Bruce Pogue, who raced from 1983 to 1991; son Shawn Pogue, who raced from 1994 to 1996; son Anthony “Tony” Pogue, a road race technician who has long worked in AMA Pro, World Superbike, and MotoAmerica paddocks; son Barry Pogue, a car restorer and collector; daughter Angie Pogue; and son Steve Pogue.
More information will be posted as it becomes available.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 10, 2026) — Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is excited to announce that Mark Rogers and Eric “Digger” Manes, stars of the hit television show Moonshiners, will serve as Grand Marshals for the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track on Saturday, March 21, at Senoia Raceway.
Mark & Digger will be on-site throughout the event promoting Sugarlands Distilling Company, the Official Moonshine of Progressive American Flat Track, while also supporting the brand’s newest product, Broken Antler Flavored Whiskey. The duo has partnered with Sugarlands for years to create a line of craft spirits bearing their names, including Mark & Digger’s Mountain Legacy Corn Whiskey, Rye Apple Moonshine and Hazelnut Rum.
“We’re pleased to welcome Mark & Digger as Grand Marshals for the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track,” said Gene Crouch, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “They bring a recognizable personality to the event and add to the fan experience in a way that fits naturally with the atmosphere of Progressive American Flat Track.”
As Grand Marshals, Mark & Digger will anchor the evening’s ceremonial festivities, including the opening ceremonies. Fans will also have the chance to meet the stars in person during a special fan walk and scheduled meet-and-greet sessions throughout the day.
Sugarlands is taking the “Spirit of the Smokies” to the track. The Gatlinburg-based craft distillery will host an interactive fan activation at the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track, featuring its world-class portfolio of Sugarlands Shine, High Rock Vodka, Roaming Man Whiskey and Broken Antler Flavored Whiskey. Fans can expect an experience that perfectly blends Tennessee craft tradition with the high-octane atmosphere of Progressive American Flat Track.
“American Flat Track fans bring an incredible level of passion and energy to every race weekend, and we’re excited to be part of that atmosphere,” said Patrick Sullivan, Sugarlands Chief Commercial Officer. “Having Mark & Digger serve as Grand Marshals and creating an interactive Sugarlands experience at the track gives us a chance to connect with fans in a fun, authentic way and share a taste of what our brand is all about with the AFT community.”
The Yamaha Atlanta Short Track at Senoia Raceway marks the first of two Sugarlands featured rounds during the 2026 season. Sugarlands will also activate during the Peoria TT on August 22 at the historic Peoria Motorcycle Club, where Mark & Digger will again serve as Grand Marshals.
For more information on Sugarlands Distilling Company and its full line of spirits, visit Sugarlands.com.
More from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
D30 M4 Ecstar Suzuki’s Ty Scott wins pole, finishes second in 2026 Daytona 200.
Brea, CA – Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer launched the 2026 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship campaign in powerful form, notching up a pole-and-podium combo in the 84th Daytona 200 while scoping up a pair of top threes in Twins Cup action.
Race Highlights:
D3O M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Supersport
Tyler Scott scored a third straight Daytona 200 podium from pole position.
Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Supersport
Richie Escalante was in prime position to make a run at victory before his race ended in heartbreak.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Twins Cup
Matthew Chapin bounced back to claim race runner-up honors on Saturday.
Bodie Paige impressed with a podium performance in his Twins Cup debut.
Tyler Scott powered the D3O M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 to pole position and a runner-up finish in the 84th Daytona 200 to open the 2026 MotoAmerica season. Photo courtesy Suzuki
D3O M4 ESCSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott did what he does in Daytona, securing his third consecutive podium finish from pole aboard the squad’s next-generation GSX-R750 racer. The Supersport title contender passed both the test of speed and endurance, fighting amongst the lead pack early while holding a strong, consistent pace at the end to finish the prestigious race as its runner-up for a second straight season. The 20-point haul is a fantastic way to kick off his championship aspirations in 2026.
“We’re definitely really hungry for the season ahead,” Scott said. “The D3O M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team did an amazing job this weekend. The bike felt the best it ever has, and I can’t give thanks enough to my guys. I tried my best throughout the race today, but I lost touch with the front group, and that was unfortunate. But still, I’m super excited to start the season like this, and we’ll go forward from here.”
Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider Richie Escalante ran inside the lead group and was battling for a podium position before a late crash ended his Daytona 200 bid. Photo courtesy Suzuki
It very easily could have been a double podium for the team, as Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante was running a close third when he crashed from contention with 25 laps remaining. The full-time Superbike ace won’t suffer any championship consequences as a result, but it was still a bitter early conclusion suffered with a potential victory still within his grasp.
“I want to say I’m sorry to the team,” Escalante said. “It was shaping up to be a great race for us. We took small steps to improve the bike over the first two days, and then this morning we were ready to fight for the win. Everything was going great – the bike, the pace, and the pit stops. We were in good position coming out of the second stop, but I lost the rear for a second and crashed. That was my mistake. The team and the sponsors were fantastic in getting us this far. Now, we will concentrate on Superbike, and we are really excited about it.”
Meanwhile, the squad’s Twins Cup 1-2 punch came out swinging with each rider claiming a podium in the class’ Daytona double opener.
Bodie Paige impressed in his MotoAmerica Twins Cup debut, scoring a podium finish in Race 1 on the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R. Photo courtesy Suzuki
Bodie Paige, the young Australian who last year became just the second rider to claim the Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Award in both the Road Race and Flat Track disciplines, showcased his tarmac talents on the high banks aboard the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R.
He came home third in Race 1 after going back-and-forth in a three-rider fight for second. And in Race 2, he crossed the line in fourth while less than four tenths of a second behind the winner.
“It was good, and I had a lot of fun,” Paige said. “I started getting more comfortable. I was on the podium in Race 1, and I felt I could have podiumed or even won the next race, but we had an issue on the warm-up lap. I tried to be smart and not crash the bike. We’ll figure it out for next time. The team and I worked well together, and I am looking forward to the upcoming races.”
Matthew Chapin charged to a runner-up finish in Twins Cup Race 2 aboard the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R after a hard-fought battle at Daytona. Photo courtesy Suzuki
Teammate Matthew Chapin, who claimed the double victory at Daytona a year ago to set the table for his 2025 Twins Cup championship runner-up campaign, struggled to find his groove in Race 1, finishing in eighth place some ten seconds back. He rallied magnificently in Race 2, scrapping for the lead as part of a four-rider pack that also included Paige. Chapin came up just a wheel short of the win, claiming second place a mere 0.010 seconds away from victory.
Chapin said, “I’ve got to give it up to my whole M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team for everything they’ve done for me. All of the guys put in some serious hours on the thing to make it better for me. It was a good race, and I had a lot of fun… We’ll get them next time.”
The 2026 MotoAmerica season will resume – and kick off for the premier Superbike category – on April 17-19 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia.
Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane takes home a 1-2 finish in his MotoAmerica Twins Cup debut, with Liberty St. Yamaha Racing’s Dominic Doyle and Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis scoring valuable points at the MotoAmerica Supersport opener.
If you love racing, making the trip to Daytona International Speedway is on the list. If you’re a racer, winning at Daytona International Speedway is a career highlight. In just his first outing at the iconic venue, Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane checked that off the list, scoring the MotoAmerica Twins Cup win in Race 2.
The opening round marked his debut in the class, and with very little time on the bike before the weekend, it was an impressive start for the 15-year-old Australian. In addition to his Race 2 victory, he earned a second-place finish in Race 1, leaving Daytona Beach, Florida, with a four-point lead in the championship.
Sam Drane won Twins Cup race 1 at Daytona. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“Yeah, it’s definitely cool to be up on the banking racing Twins Cup,” said Drane. “I came from the Kramer (the MotoAmerica Talent Cup bike), so the twin felt pretty fast. I got the win and a second place yesterday, so it was a pretty good weekend. And also the win in flat track, so two wins and one second at Daytona – it wasn’t too bad.”
With just one qualifying session, Drane secured a second-row start in fifth. From there, he got a good launch in Race 1 and was in the mix throughout, finishing second. On Saturday, he was fifth at the start of the red-flagged race, which was shortened to six laps. Drane was once again in the fight, moving into the runner-up position and executing a great strategy in the draft to secure his first Twins Cup victory by a razor-thin 0.010-second margin.
Sam Drane (57) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“It was a good race,” said Drane. “I didn’t have the pace at the start, but once I got warmed up and got into it, I caught back up to Hank (Vossberg) and just tried my best, and really led it from there.”
Adding to the stellar debut weekend in Daytona, Drane also took home a win at the Daytona Short Track in the Road to AFT Amateur Invitational. The new amateur class allows young talent to race on the same tracks as the sport’s best flat track racers at select American Flat Track rounds.
The future is certainly bright for the BLU CRU in MotoAmerica. Liberty St. Yamaha Racing’s Dominic Doyle and Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis started their Supersport Championship campaigns with the 84th running of the legendary Daytona 200, marking its return as a points-paying race for the first time in more than a decade.
Dominic Doyle (25) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Yamaha
There is no race quite like the Daytona 200, not on the MotoAmerica calendar nor on any calendar for that matter. The legendary 200-mile road race set on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway presents a unique challenge compared to the normal sprint race format because of the venue itself, the race distance prioritizing rider endurance and long-run strategy, and the added pressure on the teams due to multiple pit stops.
Although it wasn’t the result they were hoping for, both riders and teams showed strength in the one-off endurance race that kicked off the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship season.
Liberty St. Yamaha Racing’s Dominic Doyle overcame adversity after starting on the 15th row of on the grid following a penalty for missing the time window for the sighting lap. Undeterred, he put his head down and worked his way up to ninth on the opening lap. Unfortunately, he lost too much time to join the lead pack, but the team executed strong pit stops, and Doyle maintained a solid pace to secure sixth.
Blake Davis (22) during the Daytona 200 race. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis also had a strong debut at the Daytona 200. After a tough first two days in qualifying and practice, the two-time MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion ran a strong pace throughout the 200-mile race, and the Strack Racing Yamaha team delivered quick pit stops. Unfortunately, he was too far back in the opening laps to make up the time needed to fight for the podium or win, finishing seventh.
Next up on the calendar is the opening round of the MotoAmerica Talent Cup, which will be held in conjunction with MotoGP at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on March 27-29.
More from a press release issued by Aprilia:
2026 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season begins with strong grid presence from Aprilia RS 660 Riders. Parrish secures pole, Vossberg commands race 1 in Daytona. weekend.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The 2026 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season began in convincing fashion at the iconic Daytona International Speedway, where the Aprilia RS 660 – the model that catapulted rising star Alessandro Di Mario to back-to-back championships with Robem Engineering – was present to deliver a pole position, a race win, and one of the strongest presences on the starting grid for the 3.51-mile battle on the banks.
From the first practice and qualifying sessions, through both races of the opening weekend, riders aboard the Aprilia RS 660 showed pace. Chris Parrish placed his Ghetto Customs Aprilia RS 660 on pole position with a best lap of 1:57.625 during qualifying, leading a 38-rider field and showcasing the outright pace of the platform heading into the race weekend.
Hank Vossberg won the Twins Cup race 1 at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Race 1 delivered a breakthrough moment for Aprilia when Robem Racing Aprilia’s Hank Vossberg, a mere 15 years old, powered his RS 660 to victory, winning by a margin of 4.446 seconds, while also recording the race’s fastest lap of 1:56.846 seconds.
The result marked an early statement in the championship fight and highlighted the RS 660’s combination of speed, stability, and endurance around the banked tri-oval at Daytona. Parrish also shows promise finishing inside the top five in the first race of the season.
Race 2 again featured Aprilia riders in the lead group, with Vossberg battling for the lead in a red-flag abbreviated six-lap sprint. Commonplace at Daytona, the race came down to game of cat and mouse, with a slipstream dash to the finish. A mere 0.058 seconds from the victor, Vossberg finished third in a three-way fight to the finish line.
The weekend proved the depth of the competition in Twins Cup, with 38 riders registered. Among them, 20 registered on Aprilia RS 660 machines. Heading into Road Atlanta for Round 2 of the Twins Cup Championship, Vossberg sits in second, trailing by four points, Andrew Weyh who finished a respective ninth in Race 1 and eight in Race 2 is seventh overall, and Eli Block, who registered twelfth andseventh place, rounds out the top 10 Aprilia riders in the standings in ninth overall.
Hank Vossberg (31) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Hank Vossberg / Robem Racing Aprilia: “Yesterday was really good. We got a much better start yesterday and we were up with the group. I made a pass for the lead and just decided to try and break away and was able to have the pace in the infield to do it. It was really good and I tried to do the same thing again today, but with that red flag, we had three extra pounds in our rear tire, so it was sliding around and everything, and especially later in the race they were able to catch back up. But it was really good and just I passed them too early coming to the line and that’s Daytona. We got good points and that’s all that matters.”
More from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
Former King of the Baggers Champions Hayden Gillim & Troy Herfoss Each Secure First-Career Win at Daytona International Speedway.
Golden Valley, MN (March 9, 2026) — Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, opened MotoAmerica’s 2026 King of the Baggers season with authority as the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team delivered back-to-back 1–2 finishes at Daytona International Speedway. Piloting the brand-new Vance & Hines-built Indian Challenger, Wrecking Crew riders Hayden Gillim, Troy Herfoss and Rocco Landers showcased the bike’s power and precision in a dominant weekend performance.
Momentum began early as Gillim captured the Mission King of the Baggers Challenge and its $5,000 prize, setting the tone for an explosive start to the 2026 race season. Gillim followed the Challenge win with a Race 1 victory, while Herfoss earned a hard-fought P2 finish. On Saturday, Herfoss continued to demonstrate his championship pedigree, claiming a Race 2 victory of his own. After a Race 1 mechanical issue, Landers rebounded to take the second step on the box. The pair of wins marked Gillim’s and Herfoss’ first-career victories at Daytona and highlighted the strength of the all-new Indian Motorcycle-Vance & Hines Factory Racing team.
“What an incredible performance from the entire Indian Motorcycle and Vance & Hines Race team,” said Mike Kennedy, Indian Motorcycle CEO. “Dominating a race weekend with only two test days on a brandnew bike developed in just four months is a remarkable testament to the Indian Challenger’s out-of-thebox performance, the racecraft expertise of Vance & Hines, and the competitive fire of our three-rider Wrecking Crew.”
Outright speed and horsepower are what define success when racing at Daytona International Speedway, and the Indian Challenger proved its superiority all weekend long. Powered by the championship-winning PowerPlus engine, the bike delivered relentless acceleration and top-end speed that set it apart on the high banks of Daytona. Whether slicing past the Harley-Davidson Road Glide on the straights or, in Gillim’s case, building commanding gaps over the field, the Indian Challenger’s performance left no question about its power advantage.
Hayden Gillim (69) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Race 1
Race 1 saw Gillim deliver a commanding performance aboard his #69 Indian Challenger. After running third through much of the opening lap, Gillim used the draft to surge past Herfoss and Harley-Davidson rider Kyle Wyman before the end of Lap 1. From there, Gillim set a steady pace and quickly pulled away from the field. His dominant performance saw him maintain a lead of more than four seconds in the closing laps before ultimately taking the checkered flag by more than eight seconds. Behind him, Herfoss and Wyman traded passes throughout the race in a hard-fought battle for second. In the final laps, Herfoss made a decisive defensive move to shut the door on Wyman’s drafting attempt, securing the runner-up position and showcasing the power and precision of the Vance & Hines Indian Challenger race bike.
“Man, that was something special,” said Gillim, the 2023 King of the Baggers Champion. “This whole J&P Cycles, Motul, Vance & Hines Factory Indian team is awesome. I’m having a blast. What a way to start the season with a Mission Challenge win and my first win at Daytona.”
Troy Herfoss (17) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Race 2
Momentum carried into Race 2, where the Indian Wrecking Crew again found themselves at the center of the action in a tightly contested battle with Harley-Davidson factory riders. Gillim initially surged to the front and began building a gap early, while Herfoss and Wyman traded positions in an intense bar-to-bar fight for second. The battle tightened in the closing laps as mistakes and drafting opportunities reshuffled the order and a mechanical issue took Gillim out of the race.
Despite briefly dropping positions after a mistake entering the horseshoe and overcoming a momentary false neutral, Herfoss fought his way back into contention as the race approached its final lap. Herfoss powered his #17 Indian Challenger into the lead to secure his first Daytona victory, while Landers used the draft in the closing moments to pass Wyman and put his #97 Indian Challenger second on the box.
“This is the one you want to win,” said Herfoss. “I feel for Hayden because it’s not the way it should happen, but my Vance & Hines Indian Challenger was working so well. I was able to control things from the front and had the horsepower out of the chicane to keep the lead. I’m just over the moon.”
The result capped a remarkable opening weekend for the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing Team, delivering a powerful statement in the sport’s premier V-Twin rivalry. Herfoss leads the Mission King of the Baggers standings with 45 points, while Gillim sits tied for second with 32 points heading into Road Atlanta, April 17-19.
Sponsors for the 2026 Indian Motorcycle-Vance & Hines Factory Race team includes J&P Cycles, Motul, Progressive Insurance, Drag Specialties and Performance Finance.
More from a press release issued by Altus Motorsports:
Altus Motorsports first ever Daytona 200.
Daytona Beach, FL. – Round 1 of the 2026 MotoAmerica Championship brought the Altus Motorsports team to the historic Daytona International Speedway. This is the first time Altus Motorsports as a team has competed in the MotoAmerica Daytona 200. The amount of offseason preparation required is unbelievable and the team came in ready to compete. Unfortunately Altus teammate Torin Collins was unable to attend. This left Max Gerardo, Jaret Nassaney, and Austin Martinez to field the Altus Motorsports bikes. Resilience, adaptability, and teamwork were on full display.
Maximiliano Gerardo (241) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson
Supersport
Max Gerardo, an international racer came in with high hopes, but knew that being his first time at Daytona there would be a learning curve. Max qualified 13th in Q1 and 15th in Q2. Max had to settle for 15th overall qualifying. Max was determined to get with the front runners in the race. During the race the lead group got away and Max had to settle racing many laps by himself. Not being in the draft really hurt his results. Max completed the race with a 14th place finish.
Max Gerardo: “Happy to have been able to be in the 200 miles of Daytona and have ended up grabbing some points for the championship. Thank you to my team for all the work of the weekend, now I’m looking forward to the next stop in Atlanta.”
Jaret Nassaney (59) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Jaret Nassaney was looking to build on momentum and confidence from last season. This was also Jaret’s first time competing in the Daytona 200. Jaret qualified 28th overall and knew he had his work cut out for him. During the race he continually moved towards the front and at one time all the way to 17th. Unfortunately during the 3rd pit stop, the front wheel change took longer because of a brake pad falling out. This had him drop back to 24th. Jaret fought hard and crossed the line in 20th. After the final results were published he finished 19th.
Jaret Nassaney: “Daytona was a big learning experience for me and the team. We struggled with the bike all weekend, but we were able to salvage a top 20. Happy to be able to finish my first 200. Excited for Atlanta and be able to show what we have been training all off season for. ”
Austin Martinez (999) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Austin Martinez is new to the Altus Team. He had only rode his Suzuki GSX-R750 a few times, so he knew there was going to be some setup needed. Austin has raced in the Daytona 200 two other times. During free practice Austin got behind a bike that got oil on the track and he crashed on the first lap. This made it tough for him with no practice. After practice it was discovered the bike also had an electrical issue. Luckily our Data Engineer Michael Murphy was able to get it fixed before his next time on the track. Austin qualified 33rd overall, but he did not let that take away from his positive attitude. He was focused for the race and Austin rode hard the entire 200 miles and got all the way up to 18th. Unfortunately he was disqualified for a bike oversight.
Austin Martinez: “Despite the problems and unfortunate circumstances, it was a great first weekend working with the team. I look forward to the rest of the season learning and developing as a rider with Altus Motorsports.”
Team Co-Owner George Nassaney: “This is our 11th year racing in MotoAmerica and our first time having our team race in the Daytona 200. I never knew the amount of extra preparation and mental preparation needed to race in the Prestigious Race. I’m grateful for all the pre season extra help our Team put in to make this race. Our Team Manager Boyd Bruner and two lead mechanics William Gerken and Tylar Lloyd worked a lot of extra hours to help us have success. We did not get the results we wanted, but it’s not for lack of effort. All of our bikes completed the entire 200 mile race. I am already working on additional things for Atlanta. Janette and myself are extremely proud of our team.”
—
Altus Motorsports team is supported by our great family of sponsors: Altus Motorsports, Parts Unlimited, MOTUL, Yamaha Motorsports, Buy A Jet From Steve Main, Barnett, Rugged Radios, Active Impressions, Hot Bodies Racing, M4 Exhausts, Vortex EK, Motion Pro, SBS Brakes, BrakeTech USA, Inc., GB Racing, K-Tech, Orient Express, Attack Racing, RS Taichi, Arai, Core Moto, Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers, Puig, TechSpec, and Altus Factory Racing.
More from a press release issued by Rodio Racing:
Gus Rodio Finishes 10th in Daytona 200, Earns Two Fifth-Place Results in Super Hooligans Debut
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Competing for Rodio Racing, Gus Rodio delivered a strong performance at Daytona International Speedway, finishing 10th in the Daytona 200 and earning fifth-place finishes in both Super Hooligans races aboard his Ducati V2 Streetfighter.
Despite a challenging start to the weekend in the Supersport class, Rodio and the Rodio Racing team made steady progress and came away with a top-10 finish in one of motorcycle racing’s most prestigious events.
Gus Rodio (96) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson
In Super Hooligans, Rodio’s Ducati V2 Streetfighter ran flawlessly throughout the weekend, allowing him to adapt quickly in his class debut and produce a pair of consistent fifth-place finishes in Friday’s and Saturday’s races. Rodio also made it clear he had an absolute blast riding the Streetfighter throughout the weekend.
“We kept working all weekend and made the most of every session,” said Rodio. “To come away with 10th in the Daytona 200 and two fifth-place finishes in my Super Hooligans debut is something to be proud of. The Ducati V2 Streetfighter was strong all weekend, and I had an absolute blast riding it. This gives us a lot to build on moving forward.”
Rodio Racing team owner Kevin Rodio praised Gus for his effort, determination, and performance across both classes during one of the toughest race weekends of the season.
“I’m incredibly proud of Gus and everything he accomplished this weekend,” said Kevin Rodio, owner of Rodio Racing. “To put together a top-10 finish in the Daytona 200 and two fifth-place finishes in his Super Hooligans debut says a lot about his talent, work ethic, and composure. He continues to grow every time he gets on the bike, and it’s been special to watch him represent our team the way he did at Daytona.”
Gus Rodio (95) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson
Rodio Racing leaves Daytona with momentum after a solid showing in the Daytona 200 and an impressive first outing in Super Hooligans competition. The team now turns its focus to the next round of MotoAmerica competition at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Rodio Racing would like to thank its valued sponsors and partners for their continued support: Factory Bitubo Racing Suspension, Luxestar VIP, Motovation / SC Project USA, GRG Designs, Evolve GT, Spiegler Brake Lines, Sprint Filter, Spears Racing, Track Social, Woodcraft, and Fuzimoto. Their support plays an important role in the team’s continued growth and success on and off the track.
For more updates on Gus Rodio and Rodio Racing, follow along on social media throughout the 2026 season.
More from a press release issued by Karns Performance:
Karns Performance Opens 2026 MotoAmerica Season with Strong Showing at Daytona.
Daytona Beach, Fla. — The 2026 MotoAmerica season got off to a solid start for the Karns / TST Industies Race Team, as the team showed strong pace, steady improvement, and promising potential for the rounds ahead at Daytona International Speedway.
With competitive machinery and determined riders, Karns / TST Industries leaves Daytona encouraged by the performance of all three riders and optimistic about continued growth as the season progresses.
Isaac Woodworth (27) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Tori Karns.
Isaac Woodworth led the way with an impressive qualifying effort, putting his machine P3 on the grid and confirming the team’s front-running speed. In Race 1, Woodworth battled at the front throughout and finished a hard-fought P4, narrowly missing the podium in a close fight to the line. Race 2 was cut short by a clutch issue following the restart, but the weekend still showed the team’s pace and potential.
“Qualifying P3 showed the pace we have this year,” said Woodworth. “The team gave me a great bike and we fought at the front in Race 1 with a P4 finish after a close battle to the line. Race 2 was unfortunate with the clutch issue after the restart, but the speed is there and I’m excited for what we can do the rest of the season.”
Kevin Olmedo (116) at the finish line at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J. Nelson.
Kevin Olmedo made a welcome return to the MotoAmerica paddock for his first race weekend since July 2022. Working closely with the team, Olmedo made steady gains throughout the event as he adapted both to the bike and to the demands of race competition again.
“I’m really happy to be back in the MotoAmerica paddock,” said Olmedo. “This was officially my first race since July 2022, and I really appreciate the opportunity that Karns/TST Industries Racing has given me. The team worked really hard from the first day, and we made some changes to the setup that helped me feel much better in every session while improving my lap times. The bike is very different from the riding style I had before, but I think we managed to find good speed and good pace this weekend. I think we can build on this and have a good start for the next round.”
Solly Mervis (25) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Solly Mervis also delivered a strong weekend of progress aboard the Suzuki GSX-8, taking on the unique challenge of Daytona while riding his race bike for the first time. Mervis improved every session, gaining confidence and pace as the weekend unfolded, and capped it off by moving from P17 to P12 in Race 2.
“I want to thank the Karns/Ice Barn Race Team for the hard work in preparing my Suzuki GSX-8 for the race,” said Mervis. “Although I hadn’t ridden my race bike before Daytona, the bike was strong, and I was able to focus on learning a new track without having to worry about the bike, other than getting it set to my personal liking. Daytona was unlike anything I’ve ever ridden, and it was a blast to ride. I was able to go faster every single session and move up from P17 to 12th in Race 2. I’m leaving Daytona with a smile and a ton of confidence. I can’t wait to get to Road Atlanta.”
Jason Karns – Team Principle:“The opening round showed the depth and potential of the Karns / TST Industries program, with all three riders demonstrating progress and laying a solid foundation for the rest of the season.”
With Daytona in the books, the team now turns its focus to Road Atlanta, where it aims to build on a promising start and continue its upward momentum in the 2026 MotoAmerica campaign.
The Alpinestars Supertech R7 helmet in gloss black. Photos courtesy Alpinestars.
When Alpinestars jumped into the streetbike helmet market, even it was surprised by the success of its very first offering, the Supertech R10. After all of its careful planning and projections, when the helmet was introduced in 2024, the company sold its first-year production run in 30 days. Even now, several models of the R10 remain on back order. In total, the company sold more than 10 times what it anticipated selling in the first year the R10 was available.
Encouraged by this runaway success, Alpinestars followed up with another, more accessible, more street-oriented helmet. At a track day at the Streets of Willow, Alpinestars introduced its Supertech R7 helmet to motojournalists, then turned them loose for a day of track riding, followed by a street ride the following day.
In short, Alpinestars has followed the R10 with a sophisticated helmet that differs in construction material, design and cost, but one that incorporates the lessons learned in developing the R10, particularly the aerodynamic features. After all, air is air, and noise management, volume and stability matter when you’re shoving a helmet through it, whether you’re moving at highway speeds or at Mugello front straight speeds.
Alpinestars R7 Technical Details
The Alpinestars Supertech R7 helmet in gloss grey.
One of the biggest differences between the R7 and the R10 is the shell material. While the R10 has a full carbon-fiber shell, the R7 features a shell of an outer fiberglass layer, a unidirectional carbon composite layer, a carbon aramid fiber layer and an internal fiberglass layer. The base of the helmet is slightly wider than that of the R10 to ease putting it on and taking it off. The inner shell is a seven-piece expanded polystyrene construct with six densities. Alpinestars has certified the helmet to DOT and ECE 22.06 standards, and claims that the R7 undercuts the maximum allowed peak linear acceleration of the ECE 22.06 standard by 50 percent and the peak rotational acceleration standard by 80 percent. To help protect from rotational forces, the inner lining of the EPS layer has a slick coating, allowing the helmet to slip slightly on the rider’s head in an oblique impact and reduce the force transmitted to the brain.
Weight is close to that of the R10, at about 3.3 pounds (1500 grams) for the medium size version that meets both ECE and DOT standards – the ECE-only medium weighs in at 1400 grams, or 3.08 pounds. The R7 shares the cutouts in the lower edge with the R10 that are designed to prevent the helmet from impacting the collarbone in a crash, but on the R7, the cutout is filled with the company’s Nucleon PLASMA viscoelastic material that is soft and pliable but stiffens on impact.
The A-head system allows the rider to adjust the height and angle at which the helmet sits on their head. The cheek pads have an emergency release system, a channel for eyeglass temples (arms) and an integrated hydration tube channel. The cheek pads come in different sizes, allowing even more customization of the fit.
The ECE-certified face shield is interchangeable with the one on the R10 and comes in a multitude of colors, and the helmet itself is available in a wide variety of solids and graphic schemes. The field of view is 220 degrees of lateral vision and 57 degrees vertically. Aerodynamic features include a built-in rear spoiler, the “turbulator” elements on the face shield that reduce noise and turbulence and side winglets that reduce drag. The R7 features 10 vents, six intake and four exhausts, managed by a pair of chin inlets and a sliding forehead vent.
Suggested retail starts at $679.95.
The Alpinestars Supertech R7 helmet in gloss white.
Alpinestars says the R7 is slightly easier to pull on than the R10, but it’s still a snug fit to get the lid over the ears. I’d ridden with my R10 just a couple of days before the intro, and honestly, if there is a difference, it is slight. And the race nature of the helmet is evident, as the cheekpads were quite aggressive at first, although they broke in significantly during a few hours of riding at the Streets.
The shield is easy to use once you know what to feel for, and it snaps securely into place, again suggesting its race-oriented origins. Once the shield is down, the interior is quiet and serene, and that imparts a sense of solidity to the entire helmet. There is a plastic plug in the chin bar; removing that helps reduce fogging. Learning to operate the vents BEFORE you go out onto the track also helps reduce fogging. D’oh!
Streets is not the fastest track on the planet, and the highest indicated top speed I saw all day long was 120 miles per hour. At that speed, noise was minimal, as was buffeting, and the ventilation was more than adequate without being “windy” inside the shield. The helmet didn’t impede my ability to crank my head sideways to look up the track, and the large eyeport was welcome when tucked in. At no point did I ever notice any aerodynamic lift or sideways forces. It might get lost in the product messaging, but let me be clear – this helmet is perfectly at home on the racetrack.
Alpinestars reps helped me try some thinner cheek pads and we removed the chin skirt, but I went back to the original 25mm pads and I am glad I did, as they broke in nicely. Helmet fit, to me, is always a trade-off between comfort and security, and a helmet that feels awesome at 60 mph could definitely feel ill-fitting and loose at double that speed on a hypernaked. The R7 is definitely toward the performance end of the spectrum. But as I told the company representatives who asked what I thought about the helmet, I didn’t think about it at all once I was moving – and that is the best compliment I can give to a piece of safety equipment that I haven’t crash tested!
Brea, CA – Reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Richard Gadson celebrated a milestone birthday in grand fashion by winning the opening round of the NHRA 75th Anniversary season on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki Gen 3 Hayabusa at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, FL, on Sunday.
Race Highlights:
Richard Gadson qualified second and earned his fifth career victory in the opening round of the 2026 NHRA season
Gaige Herrera qualified fourth and advanced to the second round of eliminations
With Sunday eliminations falling on his 40th birthday, Gadson was primed for a special day of racing. In round one, he defeated Geno Scali (6.836 seconds/198.44 mph) with a 6.769-second/200.83 mph run, then advanced past Chase Van Sant (6.808 seconds/198.82 mph) in round two with a 6.757-second/200.59 mph pass that carried him into the semi-finals.
Gadson received a welcome birthday gift in the third round after opponent Clayton Howey fouled on the starting line. Despite slowing to a 7.118-second/150.06 mph pass when his motorcycle drifted towards the centerline, what should have been an automatic win for Gadson briefly appeared to be in doubt when a timing pylon near the end of the track became dislodged.
However, TV replays showed the pylon was displaced by the high-speed slipstream from Gadson’s Hayabusa, not by contact, avoiding a disqualification and sending him to his tenth career final round appearance.
After two short late-afternoon rain delays, Gadson powered to a 6.753-second/200.05 mph run in the final round, making full use of his Suzuki Hayabusa’s superior performance and a reaction time advantage to overcome John Hall (6.799 seconds/198.38 mph) and claim a statement win in the opening salvo of his title defense.
With the victory, Gadson earned a special edition diamond-anniversary Wally trophy commissioned to celebrate the sanctioning body’s 75th anniversary season.
“It’s very sweet. One of the best days of my life. I pictured last year’s championship ending differently, and a lot of fans did too. It angered some people and they directed that anger towards me. Winning this weekend has some extra meaning behind it. It meant a lot to be able to make that statement today,” Gadson said, referring to the unusual ending of last year’s championship at the final race in Pomona, which was cancelled due to inclement weather, denying Gadson and teammate Gaige Herrera a chance to race head-to-head to settle the championship.
“I made a mistake in the semi-final, and it was almost party over. I thought the bike would come back to the right for me when it got out of the groove. I didn’t correct early enough, and I almost hit that cone. That would have been the end of it, so that’s a lesson learned. Even at this level, and having the No. 1 plate, I’m still learning,” Gadson said. “Some great advice I’ve been given is ‘Don’t race like you are the champion. Race the same way that got you the championship.’ My approach this season is to continue to ride aggressively, and my title defense starts now.”
Herrera defeated Marc Ingwersen (8.746 seconds/102.14 mph) in round one with a 6.755-second/201.46 mph run, his quickest pass of the weekend. Photo courtesy Suzuki
Searching for a fourth-straight win at the Gatornationals, Gaige Herrera, the 2023 and 2024 Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, opened the books on his fourth season with the Vance & Hines team by qualifying fourth with a 6.761-second/199.91 mph run.
In an exciting side-by-side drag race, Herrera narrowly lost in the second round to John Hall, posting a 6.758-second/200.65 mph run that came up just short of Hall’s 6.748-second/200.68 mph pass. With both riders putting up low single-digit reaction times, Hall’s margin of victory was just 0.012 second.
The early exit was a rare defeat for the three-time Gatornationals winner, who until that point had never lost a round of competition in Gainesville.
Last year, Herrera missed out on an opportunity to close the 21-point gap that separated him from Gadson heading into the finale in Pomona. After the anti-climactic end to the season, the two-time champion was hoping for a shot at redemption in Gainesville, a race he has dominated for the past three seasons.
“It felt nice to get back on the bike this weekend. I was hoping it would be me and Richard in the final because I feel like I need to redeem myself, but it didn’t work out that way,” Herrera said. “John pulled one out of the hat against me. But I’m glad Richard got the win and the cool new diamond Wally on this birthday.”
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki crew chief Andrew Hines said the theme of the weekend was perseverance from the team and redemption for Gadson.
“The track was tough for these riders to navigate with the wind changing direction all weekend. It took every bit of effort from everyone on the team to make sure we came out of here with a new diamond Wally,” Hines said. “This win also really justifies Richard’s last season. I think it’s a big monkey off his back to be able come in here and qualify higher than Gaige, win this race, and prove that he has the No. 1 plate on his bike for a reason.”
“Everybody knows what it takes now to win a championship. It takes double-oh lights and cut-throat ETs to turn on win lights. Our guys always rise to the occasion. They ride above 100 percent of what their motorcycles are capable of, and that’s why we’re super happy to have them on our team and super excited for what’s going to happen in the 2026 season. It’s a breath of fresh air to start the season with this win and move on down the road to Charlotte.”
After the first of 14 rounds in the 2026 Pro Stock Motorcycle season, Gadson and Herrera sit first and seventh in the championship standings with 124 and 59 points, respectively.
The RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines team returns to action April 24-26 at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, NC.
Vance & Hines Motorsports is a powerhouse in the world of motorcycle racing, boasting a rich legacy of success. With a focus on innovation, performance, and a commitment to pushing boundaries, the team continues to redefine excellence in the NHRA and MotoAmerica. For more information, visit www.vanceandhinesmotorsports.com.
ABOUT SUZUKI:
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
AMA Recognizes Richard Varner with Jim Viverito Friend of the AMA Honors
Varner honored for devotion to the growth and continued sustainability of MotoAmerica
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association congratulates MotoAmerica Chief Financial Officer Richard Varner, who was presented the Jim Viverito Friend of the AMA award on Saturday, March 7.
MotoAmerica CFO Richard Varner received the Friend Of The AMA Award Sunday in Daytona. Photo by John Ulrich.
The Jim Viverito Friend of the AMA honors the life and legacy of longtime AMA Board Member Jim Viverito and acknowledges the individuals and organizations in the motorcycle community that strongly support the AMA and its mission. This award is chosen by AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman, who presented this honor to Varner in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Saturday evening.
“Richard Varner has been an influential figure in the motorcycle industry for a long time, and we have been grateful for his support as a champion for the AMA,” Dingman said. “He has presided over MotoAmerica’s sustained growth and has undoubtedly helped foster a thriving road racing community here in the United States. We are proud to honor Richard and look forward to our continued relationship with him.”
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Varner’s love affair with motorcycles began at a young age and continued throughout his life. Ultimately, Varner turned his affection for two-wheels into more than that, and in 2014, fostered the creation of MotoAmerica, providing significant financial support to get the then-fledgling racing league off the ground. The creation of MotoAmerica revitalized professional road racing in the United States, bringing rejuvenated energy and excitement back to the sport.
It’s all good times for Aprilia. Their hardware is proving top-notch at the track, and even after one race they’ve already got some spectacular results in the pocket. In fact, if the world ends tomorrow they’d technically be world champions! But what are the chances of that happening?
In completely unrelated news, are we still doing that Qatar GP or are we canceling it due to a chance of missiles?
And speaking of apocalyptic disasters, we should probably peak over at Ducati and see how they’re doing. The numbers don’t look great, but there is always more to the story – so we’re going to start digging, and we’re going to keep digging even if that means we have to engage in some small, reverent grave-robbing over in Bolognia so we might solve the secrets of the desmo…
Oh, and we’re also hitting on vortex generators (sounds a bit sci-fi!), dragon’s teeth (sounds a bit fantasy!) and potential top speeds (sounds VERY MotoGP!).
Cheers!
Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman’s Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music!
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association announced the schedule for the 2026 Triumph AMA National Adventure Riding Series, which will be comprised of 12 events in all corners of the United States.
The Triumph AMA National Adventure Riding Series takes daring riders on the best routes, roads and two-track trails in the country while showcasing the versatile abilities of adventure bikes.
Sponsored by Triumph Motorcycles, which is a leading brand in the adventure motorcycle industry, the Triumph AMA National Adventure Riding Series contain challenging rides for experienced riders.
“Adventure riding is deeply rooted in Triumph’s heritage, and supporting the AMA National Adventure Series continues to be one of the most meaningful ways we can engage with that passionate community,” Triumph Motorcycles America Marketing Director Adam VanderVeen said. “Every year, these events create opportunities for riders to push their limits, discover new terrain, and build connections that last far beyond the weekend. We’re proud to continue our partnership with the AMA and the many local clubs that make this series possible, ensuring riders across the country have an inspiring and well‑organized way to experience their ADV motorcycles exactly as they were meant to be ridden.”
The full list of Triumph AMA National Adventure Riding Series events can be found below:
March 14-15: Forest Hill, La.; Acadiana 400
April 17-19: Plantersville, Ala.; Perry Mountain Tower Run
May 15-16: Valdosta, Ga.; Florida Traverse
May 30-31: Lock Haven, Pa.; Durty Dabbers Great Adventure Ride
June 6-7: Wabeno, Wis.; Ride for Research
June 27-28: Big Bear Lake, Calif.; Big Bear Run
Sept. 19-20: Columbus, Ind.; Buffaloe 500
Sept. 26-27: Wabeno, Wis.; Big Woods 200
Oct. 3-4: Boyne Falls, Mich.; Wolverine Color Tour ADV National
Oct. 18-19: Little Orleans, Md.; Green Ridge Moto Adventure
The second season of INSIDE, the Behind-the-Scenes series, returns, chronicling the life of the Ducati Lenovo Team through travel, events, and the track. A unique and engaging way to follow the Borgo Panigale Team and its riders, Marc Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia, around the world for all the 2026 MotoGP races. There will be 22 episodes, with some last-minute surprises like the recap of Campioni In Pista online last February.
Taking advantage of advicea, comments, and suggestions, it will be more INSIDE. In 2025, Marc and Pecco have taken the center stage, with the responsibility and honor of sharing the behind-the-scenes story of the greatest comeback ever and the triple crown won by the Team. This year, it will be even more real and authentic. It will be about emotion, passion, family. The story begins on the track.
Ever more ambitious goals and revisited storytelling with racing as backdrop. INSIDE tells stories, the true protagonists of the Team, journeys, smiles, happy moments, victories, but also the most difficult weekends to manage. Along with the riders, everyone will be there: engineers, mechanics, coordinators, chefs, truck drivers. Between technique and calm, Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager), the poise of Mauro Grassilli (Ducati Corse Sporting Director), and the fiery spirit of Davide Tardozzi (Ducati Lenovo Team Team Manager).
INSIDE Ducati Lenovo Team awaits you every Wednesday after the race on the official Ducati YouTube channel in the dedicated playlist. On the Ducati Corse social media profiles, you’ll also find new, unfiltered, and unreleased contents to further enrich the digital experience of our fans and bring us closer to the beating heart of MotoGP fans and all Ducatisti.
Sunnyvale, Calif. — History was made today at the 84th Daytona 200 as Josh Herrin (Rahal Ducati Moto with Desnuda Organic Tequila) secured his fourth consecutive Daytona 200 win and fifth overall in his racing career, tying with Scott Russell and Miguel Duhamel as the most successful riders in the race’s history.
Herrin led home Tyler Scott with Kayla Yaakov (Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight), making history by becoming the first female ever to stand on the Daytona 200 podium after passing MotoAmerica rookie Darryn Binder (Celtic/Economy Lube + Tire/Warhorse) on the run to the flag.
To top it off, Alessandro Di Mario (Rahal Ducati Moto with Roller Die & Forming) took fifth place to make it four Ducatis in the top five placings, the manufacturer’s greatest showing at Daytona.
Herrin’s win came in the most dramatic of circumstances. After a red flag for an incident on the first lap, the race was reduced to 56 laps and after spending much of the event battling with the Rahal Ducati Moto with XPEL machine of PJ Jacobsen, Herrin and Jacobsen both came into the pits together at the head of the field for the final pitstop.
Clean pitstops for both riders signaled this would be a race to the flag until Herrin ran into a MotoAmerica pit cameraman in pitlane, stalling the Panigale V2 and allowing Jacobsen to scamper clear to an initial 2.6-second lead.
Jacobsen then put the hammer down and increased his lead to over six seconds, but with eight laps to go, disaster struck as Jacobsen lost the front and crashed out.
That left Herrin all alone out front as he cruised to the win by a massive 38 seconds over Scott.
For MotoAmerica debutant Binder, he led much of the early running but couldn’t maintain the pace of Herrin and Jacobsen, eventually earning a very respectable fourth place with some solid championship points ahead of round two at Road America in April.
Binder’s teammate Wristin Grigg had a promising start to the weekend, qualifying his Ducati Panigale V2 in ninth, but he was caught up in a multi-bike, turn one pile-up off the start of the second green light, ending his race before it began.
2026 Daytona 200 Results
Josh Herrin (Ducati)
Tyler Scott (Suzuki) +38.162
Kayla Yaakov (Ducati) +1:07:477
Darryn Binder (Ducati) +1:07:643
Alessandro Di Mario (Ducati) +1:27.480
Josh Herrin takes a record fourth straight Daytona 200 win on the Ducati Panigale V2. Photo courtesy Ducati.
“First of all, I want to say sorry to PJ, I know that’s gut-wrenching,” Herrin said. “I had some bad luck of my own that I had to overcome with the cameraman. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I got stuck behind every possible lapped rider, but I knew I just had to keep cool and settle in, then PJ went down, which was really unfortunate.
“After breaking three ribs at a crash at Podium Club, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself until Ben Spies (team manager) told me he won his first MotoGP race with four broken ribs and I thought, “Ok, maybe I’ve got this”, then I got sick from my kids so I’ve been coughing a lot and the ribs haven’t been healing.
“It’s been a hard weekend but that’s what’s cool about my crew chief Scott Jensen. He’s an ex-rider and he kept me positive all weekend.
“We showed up with a good bike today. There’s something about Daytona. I feel like every time we have some adversity, I somehow keep getting carried back towards the front. It was just an amazing race. I couldn’t believe I had a plus 40-second lead with six laps to go. I was being so cautious, almost using half throttle on the banking until I saw the flag. Thank you to everybody, all the sponsors and the crew, who helped get this win today.”
Kayla Yaakov on the podium at Daytona 200. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Kayla Yaakov (Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight – #19):
“It’s insane!” Yaakov enthused in the post-race interview. “I’ve said it all weekend, I really didn’t think this result was going to be possible. I felt confident in myself that I could be up there, but we were struggling so much with the bike setup all weekend.
“In the race, I just tried to stay calm, the team stayed calm, and we were able to pull it off. I’m just so happy to be here on the podium and keep showing women they can do it. I shied away from that a bit in the past, but I’m really think it’s a special thing I am able to do, and I’m so honored to be in that position now.”
The MotoAmerica paddock will reconvene for the first round of the 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Road Atlanta on April 17-19, 2026.
Ernest Benson Pogue (center) with two of his sons, car restorer and Mustang collector Barry Pogue (left) and motorcycle road racing tech Tony Pogue (right).
Ernest Bensen Pogue, father of six, passed away on March 10th, at 88 years of age. Born October 25, 1937 he is survived by son Bruce Pogue, who raced from 1983 to 1991; son Shawn Pogue, who raced from 1994 to 1996; son Anthony “Tony” Pogue, a road race technician who has long worked in AMA Pro, World Superbike, and MotoAmerica paddocks; son Barry Pogue, a car restorer and collector; daughter Angie Pogue; and son Steve Pogue.
More information will be posted as it becomes available.
Mark & Digger, from Hit TV Show Moonshiners, to Serve as Grand Marshals for the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track. Photo courtesy AFT.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 10, 2026) — Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is excited to announce that Mark Rogers and Eric “Digger” Manes, stars of the hit television show Moonshiners, will serve as Grand Marshals for the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track on Saturday, March 21, at Senoia Raceway.
Mark & Digger will be on-site throughout the event promoting Sugarlands Distilling Company, the Official Moonshine of Progressive American Flat Track, while also supporting the brand’s newest product, Broken Antler Flavored Whiskey. The duo has partnered with Sugarlands for years to create a line of craft spirits bearing their names, including Mark & Digger’s Mountain Legacy Corn Whiskey, Rye Apple Moonshine and Hazelnut Rum.
“We’re pleased to welcome Mark & Digger as Grand Marshals for the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track,” said Gene Crouch, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “They bring a recognizable personality to the event and add to the fan experience in a way that fits naturally with the atmosphere of Progressive American Flat Track.”
As Grand Marshals, Mark & Digger will anchor the evening’s ceremonial festivities, including the opening ceremonies. Fans will also have the chance to meet the stars in person during a special fan walk and scheduled meet-and-greet sessions throughout the day.
Sugarlands is taking the “Spirit of the Smokies” to the track. The Gatlinburg-based craft distillery will host an interactive fan activation at the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track, featuring its world-class portfolio of Sugarlands Shine, High Rock Vodka, Roaming Man Whiskey and Broken Antler Flavored Whiskey. Fans can expect an experience that perfectly blends Tennessee craft tradition with the high-octane atmosphere of Progressive American Flat Track.
“American Flat Track fans bring an incredible level of passion and energy to every race weekend, and we’re excited to be part of that atmosphere,” said Patrick Sullivan, Sugarlands Chief Commercial Officer. “Having Mark & Digger serve as Grand Marshals and creating an interactive Sugarlands experience at the track gives us a chance to connect with fans in a fun, authentic way and share a taste of what our brand is all about with the AFT community.”
The Yamaha Atlanta Short Track at Senoia Raceway marks the first of two Sugarlands featured rounds during the 2026 season. Sugarlands will also activate during the Peoria TT on August 22 at the historic Peoria Motorcycle Club, where Mark & Digger will again serve as Grand Marshals.
For more information on Sugarlands Distilling Company and its full line of spirits, visit Sugarlands.com.
Tyler Scott powered the D3O M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 to pole position and a runner-up finish in the 84th Daytona 200 to open the 2026 MotoAmerica season. Photo courtesy Suzuki
More from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:
D30 M4 Ecstar Suzuki’s Ty Scott wins pole, finishes second in 2026 Daytona 200.
Brea, CA – Suzuki Motor USA and Team Hammer launched the 2026 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship campaign in powerful form, notching up a pole-and-podium combo in the 84th Daytona 200 while scoping up a pair of top threes in Twins Cup action.
Race Highlights:
D3O M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Supersport
Tyler Scott scored a third straight Daytona 200 podium from pole position.
Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Supersport
Richie Escalante was in prime position to make a run at victory before his race ended in heartbreak.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki
Twins Cup
Matthew Chapin bounced back to claim race runner-up honors on Saturday.
Bodie Paige impressed with a podium performance in his Twins Cup debut.
Tyler Scott powered the D3O M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R750 to pole position and a runner-up finish in the 84th Daytona 200 to open the 2026 MotoAmerica season. Photo courtesy Suzuki
D3O M4 ESCSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott did what he does in Daytona, securing his third consecutive podium finish from pole aboard the squad’s next-generation GSX-R750 racer. The Supersport title contender passed both the test of speed and endurance, fighting amongst the lead pack early while holding a strong, consistent pace at the end to finish the prestigious race as its runner-up for a second straight season. The 20-point haul is a fantastic way to kick off his championship aspirations in 2026.
“We’re definitely really hungry for the season ahead,” Scott said. “The D3O M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team did an amazing job this weekend. The bike felt the best it ever has, and I can’t give thanks enough to my guys. I tried my best throughout the race today, but I lost touch with the front group, and that was unfortunate. But still, I’m super excited to start the season like this, and we’ll go forward from here.”
Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider Richie Escalante ran inside the lead group and was battling for a podium position before a late crash ended his Daytona 200 bid. Photo courtesy Suzuki
It very easily could have been a double podium for the team, as Mission M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante was running a close third when he crashed from contention with 25 laps remaining. The full-time Superbike ace won’t suffer any championship consequences as a result, but it was still a bitter early conclusion suffered with a potential victory still within his grasp.
“I want to say I’m sorry to the team,” Escalante said. “It was shaping up to be a great race for us. We took small steps to improve the bike over the first two days, and then this morning we were ready to fight for the win. Everything was going great – the bike, the pace, and the pit stops. We were in good position coming out of the second stop, but I lost the rear for a second and crashed. That was my mistake. The team and the sponsors were fantastic in getting us this far. Now, we will concentrate on Superbike, and we are really excited about it.”
Meanwhile, the squad’s Twins Cup 1-2 punch came out swinging with each rider claiming a podium in the class’ Daytona double opener.
Bodie Paige impressed in his MotoAmerica Twins Cup debut, scoring a podium finish in Race 1 on the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R. Photo courtesy Suzuki
Bodie Paige, the young Australian who last year became just the second rider to claim the Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Award in both the Road Race and Flat Track disciplines, showcased his tarmac talents on the high banks aboard the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R.
He came home third in Race 1 after going back-and-forth in a three-rider fight for second. And in Race 2, he crossed the line in fourth while less than four tenths of a second behind the winner.
“It was good, and I had a lot of fun,” Paige said. “I started getting more comfortable. I was on the podium in Race 1, and I felt I could have podiumed or even won the next race, but we had an issue on the warm-up lap. I tried to be smart and not crash the bike. We’ll figure it out for next time. The team and I worked well together, and I am looking forward to the upcoming races.”
Matthew Chapin charged to a runner-up finish in Twins Cup Race 2 aboard the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-8R after a hard-fought battle at Daytona. Photo courtesy Suzuki
Teammate Matthew Chapin, who claimed the double victory at Daytona a year ago to set the table for his 2025 Twins Cup championship runner-up campaign, struggled to find his groove in Race 1, finishing in eighth place some ten seconds back. He rallied magnificently in Race 2, scrapping for the lead as part of a four-rider pack that also included Paige. Chapin came up just a wheel short of the win, claiming second place a mere 0.010 seconds away from victory.
Chapin said, “I’ve got to give it up to my whole M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team for everything they’ve done for me. All of the guys put in some serious hours on the thing to make it better for me. It was a good race, and I had a lot of fun… We’ll get them next time.”
The 2026 MotoAmerica season will resume – and kick off for the premier Superbike category – on April 17-19 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia.
Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane takes home a 1-2 finish in his MotoAmerica Twins Cup debut, with Liberty St. Yamaha Racing’s Dominic Doyle and Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis scoring valuable points at the MotoAmerica Supersport opener.
If you love racing, making the trip to Daytona International Speedway is on the list. If you’re a racer, winning at Daytona International Speedway is a career highlight. In just his first outing at the iconic venue, Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane checked that off the list, scoring the MotoAmerica Twins Cup win in Race 2.
The opening round marked his debut in the class, and with very little time on the bike before the weekend, it was an impressive start for the 15-year-old Australian. In addition to his Race 2 victory, he earned a second-place finish in Race 1, leaving Daytona Beach, Florida, with a four-point lead in the championship.
Sam Drane won Twins Cup race 1 at Daytona. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“Yeah, it’s definitely cool to be up on the banking racing Twins Cup,” said Drane. “I came from the Kramer (the MotoAmerica Talent Cup bike), so the twin felt pretty fast. I got the win and a second place yesterday, so it was a pretty good weekend. And also the win in flat track, so two wins and one second at Daytona – it wasn’t too bad.”
With just one qualifying session, Drane secured a second-row start in fifth. From there, he got a good launch in Race 1 and was in the mix throughout, finishing second. On Saturday, he was fifth at the start of the red-flagged race, which was shortened to six laps. Drane was once again in the fight, moving into the runner-up position and executing a great strategy in the draft to secure his first Twins Cup victory by a razor-thin 0.010-second margin.
Sam Drane (57) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Yamaha
“It was a good race,” said Drane. “I didn’t have the pace at the start, but once I got warmed up and got into it, I caught back up to Hank (Vossberg) and just tried my best, and really led it from there.”
Adding to the stellar debut weekend in Daytona, Drane also took home a win at the Daytona Short Track in the Road to AFT Amateur Invitational. The new amateur class allows young talent to race on the same tracks as the sport’s best flat track racers at select American Flat Track rounds.
The future is certainly bright for the BLU CRU in MotoAmerica. Liberty St. Yamaha Racing’s Dominic Doyle and Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis started their Supersport Championship campaigns with the 84th running of the legendary Daytona 200, marking its return as a points-paying race for the first time in more than a decade.
Dominic Doyle (25) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Yamaha
There is no race quite like the Daytona 200, not on the MotoAmerica calendar nor on any calendar for that matter. The legendary 200-mile road race set on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway presents a unique challenge compared to the normal sprint race format because of the venue itself, the race distance prioritizing rider endurance and long-run strategy, and the added pressure on the teams due to multiple pit stops.
Although it wasn’t the result they were hoping for, both riders and teams showed strength in the one-off endurance race that kicked off the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship season.
Liberty St. Yamaha Racing’s Dominic Doyle overcame adversity after starting on the 15th row of on the grid following a penalty for missing the time window for the sighting lap. Undeterred, he put his head down and worked his way up to ninth on the opening lap. Unfortunately, he lost too much time to join the lead pack, but the team executed strong pit stops, and Doyle maintained a solid pace to secure sixth.
Blake Davis (22) during the Daytona 200 race. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Strack Racing Yamaha’s Blake Davis also had a strong debut at the Daytona 200. After a tough first two days in qualifying and practice, the two-time MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion ran a strong pace throughout the 200-mile race, and the Strack Racing Yamaha team delivered quick pit stops. Unfortunately, he was too far back in the opening laps to make up the time needed to fight for the podium or win, finishing seventh.
Next up on the calendar is the opening round of the MotoAmerica Talent Cup, which will be held in conjunction with MotoGP at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on March 27-29.
More from a press release issued by Aprilia:
2026 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season begins with strong grid presence from Aprilia RS 660 Riders. Parrish secures pole, Vossberg commands race 1 in Daytona. weekend.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The 2026 MotoAmerica Twins Cup season began in convincing fashion at the iconic Daytona International Speedway, where the Aprilia RS 660 – the model that catapulted rising star Alessandro Di Mario to back-to-back championships with Robem Engineering – was present to deliver a pole position, a race win, and one of the strongest presences on the starting grid for the 3.51-mile battle on the banks.
From the first practice and qualifying sessions, through both races of the opening weekend, riders aboard the Aprilia RS 660 showed pace. Chris Parrish placed his Ghetto Customs Aprilia RS 660 on pole position with a best lap of 1:57.625 during qualifying, leading a 38-rider field and showcasing the outright pace of the platform heading into the race weekend.
Hank Vossberg won the Twins Cup race 1 at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Race 1 delivered a breakthrough moment for Aprilia when Robem Racing Aprilia’s Hank Vossberg, a mere 15 years old, powered his RS 660 to victory, winning by a margin of 4.446 seconds, while also recording the race’s fastest lap of 1:56.846 seconds.
The result marked an early statement in the championship fight and highlighted the RS 660’s combination of speed, stability, and endurance around the banked tri-oval at Daytona. Parrish also shows promise finishing inside the top five in the first race of the season.
Race 2 again featured Aprilia riders in the lead group, with Vossberg battling for the lead in a red-flag abbreviated six-lap sprint. Commonplace at Daytona, the race came down to game of cat and mouse, with a slipstream dash to the finish. A mere 0.058 seconds from the victor, Vossberg finished third in a three-way fight to the finish line.
The weekend proved the depth of the competition in Twins Cup, with 38 riders registered. Among them, 20 registered on Aprilia RS 660 machines. Heading into Road Atlanta for Round 2 of the Twins Cup Championship, Vossberg sits in second, trailing by four points, Andrew Weyh who finished a respective ninth in Race 1 and eight in Race 2 is seventh overall, and Eli Block, who registered twelfth andseventh place, rounds out the top 10 Aprilia riders in the standings in ninth overall.
Hank Vossberg (31) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Hank Vossberg / Robem Racing Aprilia: “Yesterday was really good. We got a much better start yesterday and we were up with the group. I made a pass for the lead and just decided to try and break away and was able to have the pace in the infield to do it. It was really good and I tried to do the same thing again today, but with that red flag, we had three extra pounds in our rear tire, so it was sliding around and everything, and especially later in the race they were able to catch back up. But it was really good and just I passed them too early coming to the line and that’s Daytona. We got good points and that’s all that matters.”
More from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
Former King of the Baggers Champions Hayden Gillim & Troy Herfoss Each Secure First-Career Win at Daytona International Speedway.
Golden Valley, MN (March 9, 2026) — Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, opened MotoAmerica’s 2026 King of the Baggers season with authority as the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing team delivered back-to-back 1–2 finishes at Daytona International Speedway. Piloting the brand-new Vance & Hines-built Indian Challenger, Wrecking Crew riders Hayden Gillim, Troy Herfoss and Rocco Landers showcased the bike’s power and precision in a dominant weekend performance.
Momentum began early as Gillim captured the Mission King of the Baggers Challenge and its $5,000 prize, setting the tone for an explosive start to the 2026 race season. Gillim followed the Challenge win with a Race 1 victory, while Herfoss earned a hard-fought P2 finish. On Saturday, Herfoss continued to demonstrate his championship pedigree, claiming a Race 2 victory of his own. After a Race 1 mechanical issue, Landers rebounded to take the second step on the box. The pair of wins marked Gillim’s and Herfoss’ first-career victories at Daytona and highlighted the strength of the all-new Indian Motorcycle-Vance & Hines Factory Racing team.
“What an incredible performance from the entire Indian Motorcycle and Vance & Hines Race team,” said Mike Kennedy, Indian Motorcycle CEO. “Dominating a race weekend with only two test days on a brandnew bike developed in just four months is a remarkable testament to the Indian Challenger’s out-of-thebox performance, the racecraft expertise of Vance & Hines, and the competitive fire of our three-rider Wrecking Crew.”
Outright speed and horsepower are what define success when racing at Daytona International Speedway, and the Indian Challenger proved its superiority all weekend long. Powered by the championship-winning PowerPlus engine, the bike delivered relentless acceleration and top-end speed that set it apart on the high banks of Daytona. Whether slicing past the Harley-Davidson Road Glide on the straights or, in Gillim’s case, building commanding gaps over the field, the Indian Challenger’s performance left no question about its power advantage.
Hayden Gillim (69) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Race 1
Race 1 saw Gillim deliver a commanding performance aboard his #69 Indian Challenger. After running third through much of the opening lap, Gillim used the draft to surge past Herfoss and Harley-Davidson rider Kyle Wyman before the end of Lap 1. From there, Gillim set a steady pace and quickly pulled away from the field. His dominant performance saw him maintain a lead of more than four seconds in the closing laps before ultimately taking the checkered flag by more than eight seconds. Behind him, Herfoss and Wyman traded passes throughout the race in a hard-fought battle for second. In the final laps, Herfoss made a decisive defensive move to shut the door on Wyman’s drafting attempt, securing the runner-up position and showcasing the power and precision of the Vance & Hines Indian Challenger race bike.
“Man, that was something special,” said Gillim, the 2023 King of the Baggers Champion. “This whole J&P Cycles, Motul, Vance & Hines Factory Indian team is awesome. I’m having a blast. What a way to start the season with a Mission Challenge win and my first win at Daytona.”
Troy Herfoss (17) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Race 2
Momentum carried into Race 2, where the Indian Wrecking Crew again found themselves at the center of the action in a tightly contested battle with Harley-Davidson factory riders. Gillim initially surged to the front and began building a gap early, while Herfoss and Wyman traded positions in an intense bar-to-bar fight for second. The battle tightened in the closing laps as mistakes and drafting opportunities reshuffled the order and a mechanical issue took Gillim out of the race.
Despite briefly dropping positions after a mistake entering the horseshoe and overcoming a momentary false neutral, Herfoss fought his way back into contention as the race approached its final lap. Herfoss powered his #17 Indian Challenger into the lead to secure his first Daytona victory, while Landers used the draft in the closing moments to pass Wyman and put his #97 Indian Challenger second on the box.
“This is the one you want to win,” said Herfoss. “I feel for Hayden because it’s not the way it should happen, but my Vance & Hines Indian Challenger was working so well. I was able to control things from the front and had the horsepower out of the chicane to keep the lead. I’m just over the moon.”
The result capped a remarkable opening weekend for the J&P Cycles / Motul / Vance & Hines Factory Indian Motorcycle Racing Team, delivering a powerful statement in the sport’s premier V-Twin rivalry. Herfoss leads the Mission King of the Baggers standings with 45 points, while Gillim sits tied for second with 32 points heading into Road Atlanta, April 17-19.
Sponsors for the 2026 Indian Motorcycle-Vance & Hines Factory Race team includes J&P Cycles, Motul, Progressive Insurance, Drag Specialties and Performance Finance.
More from a press release issued by Altus Motorsports:
Altus Motorsports first ever Daytona 200.
Daytona Beach, FL. – Round 1 of the 2026 MotoAmerica Championship brought the Altus Motorsports team to the historic Daytona International Speedway. This is the first time Altus Motorsports as a team has competed in the MotoAmerica Daytona 200. The amount of offseason preparation required is unbelievable and the team came in ready to compete. Unfortunately Altus teammate Torin Collins was unable to attend. This left Max Gerardo, Jaret Nassaney, and Austin Martinez to field the Altus Motorsports bikes. Resilience, adaptability, and teamwork were on full display.
Maximiliano Gerardo (241) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson
Supersport
Max Gerardo, an international racer came in with high hopes, but knew that being his first time at Daytona there would be a learning curve. Max qualified 13th in Q1 and 15th in Q2. Max had to settle for 15th overall qualifying. Max was determined to get with the front runners in the race. During the race the lead group got away and Max had to settle racing many laps by himself. Not being in the draft really hurt his results. Max completed the race with a 14th place finish.
Max Gerardo: “Happy to have been able to be in the 200 miles of Daytona and have ended up grabbing some points for the championship. Thank you to my team for all the work of the weekend, now I’m looking forward to the next stop in Atlanta.”
Jaret Nassaney (59) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Jaret Nassaney was looking to build on momentum and confidence from last season. This was also Jaret’s first time competing in the Daytona 200. Jaret qualified 28th overall and knew he had his work cut out for him. During the race he continually moved towards the front and at one time all the way to 17th. Unfortunately during the 3rd pit stop, the front wheel change took longer because of a brake pad falling out. This had him drop back to 24th. Jaret fought hard and crossed the line in 20th. After the final results were published he finished 19th.
Jaret Nassaney: “Daytona was a big learning experience for me and the team. We struggled with the bike all weekend, but we were able to salvage a top 20. Happy to be able to finish my first 200. Excited for Atlanta and be able to show what we have been training all off season for. ”
Austin Martinez (999) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Austin Martinez is new to the Altus Team. He had only rode his Suzuki GSX-R750 a few times, so he knew there was going to be some setup needed. Austin has raced in the Daytona 200 two other times. During free practice Austin got behind a bike that got oil on the track and he crashed on the first lap. This made it tough for him with no practice. After practice it was discovered the bike also had an electrical issue. Luckily our Data Engineer Michael Murphy was able to get it fixed before his next time on the track. Austin qualified 33rd overall, but he did not let that take away from his positive attitude. He was focused for the race and Austin rode hard the entire 200 miles and got all the way up to 18th. Unfortunately he was disqualified for a bike oversight.
Austin Martinez: “Despite the problems and unfortunate circumstances, it was a great first weekend working with the team. I look forward to the rest of the season learning and developing as a rider with Altus Motorsports.”
Team Co-Owner George Nassaney: “This is our 11th year racing in MotoAmerica and our first time having our team race in the Daytona 200. I never knew the amount of extra preparation and mental preparation needed to race in the Prestigious Race. I’m grateful for all the pre season extra help our Team put in to make this race. Our Team Manager Boyd Bruner and two lead mechanics William Gerken and Tylar Lloyd worked a lot of extra hours to help us have success. We did not get the results we wanted, but it’s not for lack of effort. All of our bikes completed the entire 200 mile race. I am already working on additional things for Atlanta. Janette and myself are extremely proud of our team.”
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Altus Motorsports team is supported by our great family of sponsors: Altus Motorsports, Parts Unlimited, MOTUL, Yamaha Motorsports, Buy A Jet From Steve Main, Barnett, Rugged Radios, Active Impressions, Hot Bodies Racing, M4 Exhausts, Vortex EK, Motion Pro, SBS Brakes, BrakeTech USA, Inc., GB Racing, K-Tech, Orient Express, Attack Racing, RS Taichi, Arai, Core Moto, Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers, Puig, TechSpec, and Altus Factory Racing.
More from a press release issued by Rodio Racing:
Gus Rodio Finishes 10th in Daytona 200, Earns Two Fifth-Place Results in Super Hooligans Debut
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Competing for Rodio Racing, Gus Rodio delivered a strong performance at Daytona International Speedway, finishing 10th in the Daytona 200 and earning fifth-place finishes in both Super Hooligans races aboard his Ducati V2 Streetfighter.
Despite a challenging start to the weekend in the Supersport class, Rodio and the Rodio Racing team made steady progress and came away with a top-10 finish in one of motorcycle racing’s most prestigious events.
Gus Rodio (96) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson
In Super Hooligans, Rodio’s Ducati V2 Streetfighter ran flawlessly throughout the weekend, allowing him to adapt quickly in his class debut and produce a pair of consistent fifth-place finishes in Friday’s and Saturday’s races. Rodio also made it clear he had an absolute blast riding the Streetfighter throughout the weekend.
“We kept working all weekend and made the most of every session,” said Rodio. “To come away with 10th in the Daytona 200 and two fifth-place finishes in my Super Hooligans debut is something to be proud of. The Ducati V2 Streetfighter was strong all weekend, and I had an absolute blast riding it. This gives us a lot to build on moving forward.”
Rodio Racing team owner Kevin Rodio praised Gus for his effort, determination, and performance across both classes during one of the toughest race weekends of the season.
“I’m incredibly proud of Gus and everything he accomplished this weekend,” said Kevin Rodio, owner of Rodio Racing. “To put together a top-10 finish in the Daytona 200 and two fifth-place finishes in his Super Hooligans debut says a lot about his talent, work ethic, and composure. He continues to grow every time he gets on the bike, and it’s been special to watch him represent our team the way he did at Daytona.”
Gus Rodio (95) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson
Rodio Racing leaves Daytona with momentum after a solid showing in the Daytona 200 and an impressive first outing in Super Hooligans competition. The team now turns its focus to the next round of MotoAmerica competition at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Rodio Racing would like to thank its valued sponsors and partners for their continued support: Factory Bitubo Racing Suspension, Luxestar VIP, Motovation / SC Project USA, GRG Designs, Evolve GT, Spiegler Brake Lines, Sprint Filter, Spears Racing, Track Social, Woodcraft, and Fuzimoto. Their support plays an important role in the team’s continued growth and success on and off the track.
For more updates on Gus Rodio and Rodio Racing, follow along on social media throughout the 2026 season.
More from a press release issued by Karns Performance:
Karns Performance Opens 2026 MotoAmerica Season with Strong Showing at Daytona.
Daytona Beach, Fla. — The 2026 MotoAmerica season got off to a solid start for the Karns / TST Industies Race Team, as the team showed strong pace, steady improvement, and promising potential for the rounds ahead at Daytona International Speedway.
With competitive machinery and determined riders, Karns / TST Industries leaves Daytona encouraged by the performance of all three riders and optimistic about continued growth as the season progresses.
Isaac Woodworth (27) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Tori Karns.
Isaac Woodworth led the way with an impressive qualifying effort, putting his machine P3 on the grid and confirming the team’s front-running speed. In Race 1, Woodworth battled at the front throughout and finished a hard-fought P4, narrowly missing the podium in a close fight to the line. Race 2 was cut short by a clutch issue following the restart, but the weekend still showed the team’s pace and potential.
“Qualifying P3 showed the pace we have this year,” said Woodworth. “The team gave me a great bike and we fought at the front in Race 1 with a P4 finish after a close battle to the line. Race 2 was unfortunate with the clutch issue after the restart, but the speed is there and I’m excited for what we can do the rest of the season.”
Kevin Olmedo (116) at the finish line at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J. Nelson.
Kevin Olmedo made a welcome return to the MotoAmerica paddock for his first race weekend since July 2022. Working closely with the team, Olmedo made steady gains throughout the event as he adapted both to the bike and to the demands of race competition again.
“I’m really happy to be back in the MotoAmerica paddock,” said Olmedo. “This was officially my first race since July 2022, and I really appreciate the opportunity that Karns/TST Industries Racing has given me. The team worked really hard from the first day, and we made some changes to the setup that helped me feel much better in every session while improving my lap times. The bike is very different from the riding style I had before, but I think we managed to find good speed and good pace this weekend. I think we can build on this and have a good start for the next round.”
Solly Mervis (25) at Daytona. Photo courtesy Brian J Nelson.
Solly Mervis also delivered a strong weekend of progress aboard the Suzuki GSX-8, taking on the unique challenge of Daytona while riding his race bike for the first time. Mervis improved every session, gaining confidence and pace as the weekend unfolded, and capped it off by moving from P17 to P12 in Race 2.
“I want to thank the Karns/Ice Barn Race Team for the hard work in preparing my Suzuki GSX-8 for the race,” said Mervis. “Although I hadn’t ridden my race bike before Daytona, the bike was strong, and I was able to focus on learning a new track without having to worry about the bike, other than getting it set to my personal liking. Daytona was unlike anything I’ve ever ridden, and it was a blast to ride. I was able to go faster every single session and move up from P17 to 12th in Race 2. I’m leaving Daytona with a smile and a ton of confidence. I can’t wait to get to Road Atlanta.”
Jason Karns – Team Principle:“The opening round showed the depth and potential of the Karns / TST Industries program, with all three riders demonstrating progress and laying a solid foundation for the rest of the season.”
With Daytona in the books, the team now turns its focus to Road Atlanta, where it aims to build on a promising start and continue its upward momentum in the 2026 MotoAmerica campaign.
The author at the Streets of Willow on a Yamaha YZF-R9, testing the new Alpinestars Supertech R7 street helmet. Note the large forehead vent and the side wing vents. Photo courtesy Alpinestars.
The Alpinestars Supertech R7 helmet in gloss black. Photos courtesy Alpinestars.
When Alpinestars jumped into the streetbike helmet market, even it was surprised by the success of its very first offering, the Supertech R10. After all of its careful planning and projections, when the helmet was introduced in 2024, the company sold its first-year production run in 30 days. Even now, several models of the R10 remain on back order. In total, the company sold more than 10 times what it anticipated selling in the first year the R10 was available.
Encouraged by this runaway success, Alpinestars followed up with another, more accessible, more street-oriented helmet. At a track day at the Streets of Willow, Alpinestars introduced its Supertech R7 helmet to motojournalists, then turned them loose for a day of track riding, followed by a street ride the following day.
In short, Alpinestars has followed the R10 with a sophisticated helmet that differs in construction material, design and cost, but one that incorporates the lessons learned in developing the R10, particularly the aerodynamic features. After all, air is air, and noise management, volume and stability matter when you’re shoving a helmet through it, whether you’re moving at highway speeds or at Mugello front straight speeds.
Alpinestars R7 Technical Details
The Alpinestars Supertech R7 helmet in gloss grey.
One of the biggest differences between the R7 and the R10 is the shell material. While the R10 has a full carbon-fiber shell, the R7 features a shell of an outer fiberglass layer, a unidirectional carbon composite layer, a carbon aramid fiber layer and an internal fiberglass layer. The base of the helmet is slightly wider than that of the R10 to ease putting it on and taking it off. The inner shell is a seven-piece expanded polystyrene construct with six densities. Alpinestars has certified the helmet to DOT and ECE 22.06 standards, and claims that the R7 undercuts the maximum allowed peak linear acceleration of the ECE 22.06 standard by 50 percent and the peak rotational acceleration standard by 80 percent. To help protect from rotational forces, the inner lining of the EPS layer has a slick coating, allowing the helmet to slip slightly on the rider’s head in an oblique impact and reduce the force transmitted to the brain.
Weight is close to that of the R10, at about 3.3 pounds (1500 grams) for the medium size version that meets both ECE and DOT standards – the ECE-only medium weighs in at 1400 grams, or 3.08 pounds. The R7 shares the cutouts in the lower edge with the R10 that are designed to prevent the helmet from impacting the collarbone in a crash, but on the R7, the cutout is filled with the company’s Nucleon PLASMA viscoelastic material that is soft and pliable but stiffens on impact.
The A-head system allows the rider to adjust the height and angle at which the helmet sits on their head. The cheek pads have an emergency release system, a channel for eyeglass temples (arms) and an integrated hydration tube channel. The cheek pads come in different sizes, allowing even more customization of the fit.
The ECE-certified face shield is interchangeable with the one on the R10 and comes in a multitude of colors, and the helmet itself is available in a wide variety of solids and graphic schemes. The field of view is 220 degrees of lateral vision and 57 degrees vertically. Aerodynamic features include a built-in rear spoiler, the “turbulator” elements on the face shield that reduce noise and turbulence and side winglets that reduce drag. The R7 features 10 vents, six intake and four exhausts, managed by a pair of chin inlets and a sliding forehead vent.
Suggested retail starts at $679.95.
The Alpinestars Supertech R7 helmet in gloss white.
Alpinestars says the R7 is slightly easier to pull on than the R10, but it’s still a snug fit to get the lid over the ears. I’d ridden with my R10 just a couple of days before the intro, and honestly, if there is a difference, it is slight. And the race nature of the helmet is evident, as the cheekpads were quite aggressive at first, although they broke in significantly during a few hours of riding at the Streets.
The shield is easy to use once you know what to feel for, and it snaps securely into place, again suggesting its race-oriented origins. Once the shield is down, the interior is quiet and serene, and that imparts a sense of solidity to the entire helmet. There is a plastic plug in the chin bar; removing that helps reduce fogging. Learning to operate the vents BEFORE you go out onto the track also helps reduce fogging. D’oh!
Streets is not the fastest track on the planet, and the highest indicated top speed I saw all day long was 120 miles per hour. At that speed, noise was minimal, as was buffeting, and the ventilation was more than adequate without being “windy” inside the shield. The helmet didn’t impede my ability to crank my head sideways to look up the track, and the large eyeport was welcome when tucked in. At no point did I ever notice any aerodynamic lift or sideways forces. It might get lost in the product messaging, but let me be clear – this helmet is perfectly at home on the racetrack.
Alpinestars reps helped me try some thinner cheek pads and we removed the chin skirt, but I went back to the original 25mm pads and I am glad I did, as they broke in nicely. Helmet fit, to me, is always a trade-off between comfort and security, and a helmet that feels awesome at 60 mph could definitely feel ill-fitting and loose at double that speed on a hypernaked. The R7 is definitely toward the performance end of the spectrum. But as I told the company representatives who asked what I thought about the helmet, I didn’t think about it at all once I was moving – and that is the best compliment I can give to a piece of safety equipment that I haven’t crash tested!
After winning his first NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship in 2025, Richard Gadson opened his third campaign with the Vance & Hines team by qualifying second on Saturday with a 6.746-second/200.00 mph run. Photo courtesy Suzuki
Brea, CA – Reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Richard Gadson celebrated a milestone birthday in grand fashion by winning the opening round of the NHRA 75th Anniversary season on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki Gen 3 Hayabusa at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, FL, on Sunday.
Race Highlights:
Richard Gadson qualified second and earned his fifth career victory in the opening round of the 2026 NHRA season
Gaige Herrera qualified fourth and advanced to the second round of eliminations
With Sunday eliminations falling on his 40th birthday, Gadson was primed for a special day of racing. In round one, he defeated Geno Scali (6.836 seconds/198.44 mph) with a 6.769-second/200.83 mph run, then advanced past Chase Van Sant (6.808 seconds/198.82 mph) in round two with a 6.757-second/200.59 mph pass that carried him into the semi-finals.
Gadson received a welcome birthday gift in the third round after opponent Clayton Howey fouled on the starting line. Despite slowing to a 7.118-second/150.06 mph pass when his motorcycle drifted towards the centerline, what should have been an automatic win for Gadson briefly appeared to be in doubt when a timing pylon near the end of the track became dislodged.
However, TV replays showed the pylon was displaced by the high-speed slipstream from Gadson’s Hayabusa, not by contact, avoiding a disqualification and sending him to his tenth career final round appearance.
After two short late-afternoon rain delays, Gadson powered to a 6.753-second/200.05 mph run in the final round, making full use of his Suzuki Hayabusa’s superior performance and a reaction time advantage to overcome John Hall (6.799 seconds/198.38 mph) and claim a statement win in the opening salvo of his title defense.
With the victory, Gadson earned a special edition diamond-anniversary Wally trophy commissioned to celebrate the sanctioning body’s 75th anniversary season.
“It’s very sweet. One of the best days of my life. I pictured last year’s championship ending differently, and a lot of fans did too. It angered some people and they directed that anger towards me. Winning this weekend has some extra meaning behind it. It meant a lot to be able to make that statement today,” Gadson said, referring to the unusual ending of last year’s championship at the final race in Pomona, which was cancelled due to inclement weather, denying Gadson and teammate Gaige Herrera a chance to race head-to-head to settle the championship.
“I made a mistake in the semi-final, and it was almost party over. I thought the bike would come back to the right for me when it got out of the groove. I didn’t correct early enough, and I almost hit that cone. That would have been the end of it, so that’s a lesson learned. Even at this level, and having the No. 1 plate, I’m still learning,” Gadson said. “Some great advice I’ve been given is ‘Don’t race like you are the champion. Race the same way that got you the championship.’ My approach this season is to continue to ride aggressively, and my title defense starts now.”
Herrera defeated Marc Ingwersen (8.746 seconds/102.14 mph) in round one with a 6.755-second/201.46 mph run, his quickest pass of the weekend. Photo courtesy Suzuki
Searching for a fourth-straight win at the Gatornationals, Gaige Herrera, the 2023 and 2024 Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, opened the books on his fourth season with the Vance & Hines team by qualifying fourth with a 6.761-second/199.91 mph run.
In an exciting side-by-side drag race, Herrera narrowly lost in the second round to John Hall, posting a 6.758-second/200.65 mph run that came up just short of Hall’s 6.748-second/200.68 mph pass. With both riders putting up low single-digit reaction times, Hall’s margin of victory was just 0.012 second.
The early exit was a rare defeat for the three-time Gatornationals winner, who until that point had never lost a round of competition in Gainesville.
Last year, Herrera missed out on an opportunity to close the 21-point gap that separated him from Gadson heading into the finale in Pomona. After the anti-climactic end to the season, the two-time champion was hoping for a shot at redemption in Gainesville, a race he has dominated for the past three seasons.
“It felt nice to get back on the bike this weekend. I was hoping it would be me and Richard in the final because I feel like I need to redeem myself, but it didn’t work out that way,” Herrera said. “John pulled one out of the hat against me. But I’m glad Richard got the win and the cool new diamond Wally on this birthday.”
RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki crew chief Andrew Hines said the theme of the weekend was perseverance from the team and redemption for Gadson.
“The track was tough for these riders to navigate with the wind changing direction all weekend. It took every bit of effort from everyone on the team to make sure we came out of here with a new diamond Wally,” Hines said. “This win also really justifies Richard’s last season. I think it’s a big monkey off his back to be able come in here and qualify higher than Gaige, win this race, and prove that he has the No. 1 plate on his bike for a reason.”
“Everybody knows what it takes now to win a championship. It takes double-oh lights and cut-throat ETs to turn on win lights. Our guys always rise to the occasion. They ride above 100 percent of what their motorcycles are capable of, and that’s why we’re super happy to have them on our team and super excited for what’s going to happen in the 2026 season. It’s a breath of fresh air to start the season with this win and move on down the road to Charlotte.”
After the first of 14 rounds in the 2026 Pro Stock Motorcycle season, Gadson and Herrera sit first and seventh in the championship standings with 124 and 59 points, respectively.
The RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines team returns to action April 24-26 at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, NC.
Vance & Hines Motorsports is a powerhouse in the world of motorcycle racing, boasting a rich legacy of success. With a focus on innovation, performance, and a commitment to pushing boundaries, the team continues to redefine excellence in the NHRA and MotoAmerica. For more information, visit www.vanceandhinesmotorsports.com.
ABOUT SUZUKI:
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automotive Parts, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
Richard Varner (center) with two of his three MotoAmerica partners, Terry Karges (left) and Chuck Askland (right). Fourth Partner Wayne Rainey was not present when the photo was taken. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
AMA Recognizes Richard Varner with Jim Viverito Friend of the AMA Honors
Varner honored for devotion to the growth and continued sustainability of MotoAmerica
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association congratulates MotoAmerica Chief Financial Officer Richard Varner, who was presented the Jim Viverito Friend of the AMA award on Saturday, March 7.
MotoAmerica CFO Richard Varner received the Friend Of The AMA Award Sunday in Daytona. Photo by John Ulrich.
The Jim Viverito Friend of the AMA honors the life and legacy of longtime AMA Board Member Jim Viverito and acknowledges the individuals and organizations in the motorcycle community that strongly support the AMA and its mission. This award is chosen by AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman, who presented this honor to Varner in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Saturday evening.
“Richard Varner has been an influential figure in the motorcycle industry for a long time, and we have been grateful for his support as a champion for the AMA,” Dingman said. “He has presided over MotoAmerica’s sustained growth and has undoubtedly helped foster a thriving road racing community here in the United States. We are proud to honor Richard and look forward to our continued relationship with him.”
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Varner’s love affair with motorcycles began at a young age and continued throughout his life. Ultimately, Varner turned his affection for two-wheels into more than that, and in 2014, fostered the creation of MotoAmerica, providing significant financial support to get the then-fledgling racing league off the ground. The creation of MotoAmerica revitalized professional road racing in the United States, bringing rejuvenated energy and excitement back to the sport.
Marc Marquez (93) at Buriram. Photo courtesy Ducati.
It’s all good times for Aprilia. Their hardware is proving top-notch at the track, and even after one race they’ve already got some spectacular results in the pocket. In fact, if the world ends tomorrow they’d technically be world champions! But what are the chances of that happening?
In completely unrelated news, are we still doing that Qatar GP or are we canceling it due to a chance of missiles?
And speaking of apocalyptic disasters, we should probably peak over at Ducati and see how they’re doing. The numbers don’t look great, but there is always more to the story – so we’re going to start digging, and we’re going to keep digging even if that means we have to engage in some small, reverent grave-robbing over in Bolognia so we might solve the secrets of the desmo…
Oh, and we’re also hitting on vortex generators (sounds a bit sci-fi!), dragon’s teeth (sounds a bit fantasy!) and potential top speeds (sounds VERY MotoGP!).
Cheers!
Want more? Visit our website or support us on Patreon. With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman’s Dub Club for writing our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music!
Series to feature 12 events that span from coast to coast. Photo courtesy AMA.
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association announced the schedule for the 2026 Triumph AMA National Adventure Riding Series, which will be comprised of 12 events in all corners of the United States.
The Triumph AMA National Adventure Riding Series takes daring riders on the best routes, roads and two-track trails in the country while showcasing the versatile abilities of adventure bikes.
Sponsored by Triumph Motorcycles, which is a leading brand in the adventure motorcycle industry, the Triumph AMA National Adventure Riding Series contain challenging rides for experienced riders.
“Adventure riding is deeply rooted in Triumph’s heritage, and supporting the AMA National Adventure Series continues to be one of the most meaningful ways we can engage with that passionate community,” Triumph Motorcycles America Marketing Director Adam VanderVeen said. “Every year, these events create opportunities for riders to push their limits, discover new terrain, and build connections that last far beyond the weekend. We’re proud to continue our partnership with the AMA and the many local clubs that make this series possible, ensuring riders across the country have an inspiring and well‑organized way to experience their ADV motorcycles exactly as they were meant to be ridden.”
The full list of Triumph AMA National Adventure Riding Series events can be found below:
March 14-15: Forest Hill, La.; Acadiana 400
April 17-19: Plantersville, Ala.; Perry Mountain Tower Run
May 15-16: Valdosta, Ga.; Florida Traverse
May 30-31: Lock Haven, Pa.; Durty Dabbers Great Adventure Ride
June 6-7: Wabeno, Wis.; Ride for Research
June 27-28: Big Bear Lake, Calif.; Big Bear Run
Sept. 19-20: Columbus, Ind.; Buffaloe 500
Sept. 26-27: Wabeno, Wis.; Big Woods 200
Oct. 3-4: Boyne Falls, Mich.; Wolverine Color Tour ADV National
Oct. 18-19: Little Orleans, Md.; Green Ridge Moto Adventure
Marc Marquez (93) at Buriram. Photo courtesy MotoGP.
The second season of INSIDE, the Behind-the-Scenes series, returns, chronicling the life of the Ducati Lenovo Team through travel, events, and the track. A unique and engaging way to follow the Borgo Panigale Team and its riders, Marc Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia, around the world for all the 2026 MotoGP races. There will be 22 episodes, with some last-minute surprises like the recap of Campioni In Pista online last February.
Taking advantage of advicea, comments, and suggestions, it will be more INSIDE. In 2025, Marc and Pecco have taken the center stage, with the responsibility and honor of sharing the behind-the-scenes story of the greatest comeback ever and the triple crown won by the Team. This year, it will be even more real and authentic. It will be about emotion, passion, family. The story begins on the track.
Ever more ambitious goals and revisited storytelling with racing as backdrop. INSIDE tells stories, the true protagonists of the Team, journeys, smiles, happy moments, victories, but also the most difficult weekends to manage. Along with the riders, everyone will be there: engineers, mechanics, coordinators, chefs, truck drivers. Between technique and calm, Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager), the poise of Mauro Grassilli (Ducati Corse Sporting Director), and the fiery spirit of Davide Tardozzi (Ducati Lenovo Team Team Manager).
INSIDE Ducati Lenovo Team awaits you every Wednesday after the race on the official Ducati YouTube channel in the dedicated playlist. On the Ducati Corse social media profiles, you’ll also find new, unfiltered, and unreleased contents to further enrich the digital experience of our fans and bring us closer to the beating heart of MotoGP fans and all Ducatisti.
Josh Herrin during the 2026 Daytona 200 race. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Sunnyvale, Calif. — History was made today at the 84th Daytona 200 as Josh Herrin (Rahal Ducati Moto with Desnuda Organic Tequila) secured his fourth consecutive Daytona 200 win and fifth overall in his racing career, tying with Scott Russell and Miguel Duhamel as the most successful riders in the race’s history.
Herrin led home Tyler Scott with Kayla Yaakov (Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight), making history by becoming the first female ever to stand on the Daytona 200 podium after passing MotoAmerica rookie Darryn Binder (Celtic/Economy Lube + Tire/Warhorse) on the run to the flag.
To top it off, Alessandro Di Mario (Rahal Ducati Moto with Roller Die & Forming) took fifth place to make it four Ducatis in the top five placings, the manufacturer’s greatest showing at Daytona.
Herrin’s win came in the most dramatic of circumstances. After a red flag for an incident on the first lap, the race was reduced to 56 laps and after spending much of the event battling with the Rahal Ducati Moto with XPEL machine of PJ Jacobsen, Herrin and Jacobsen both came into the pits together at the head of the field for the final pitstop.
Clean pitstops for both riders signaled this would be a race to the flag until Herrin ran into a MotoAmerica pit cameraman in pitlane, stalling the Panigale V2 and allowing Jacobsen to scamper clear to an initial 2.6-second lead.
Jacobsen then put the hammer down and increased his lead to over six seconds, but with eight laps to go, disaster struck as Jacobsen lost the front and crashed out.
That left Herrin all alone out front as he cruised to the win by a massive 38 seconds over Scott.
For MotoAmerica debutant Binder, he led much of the early running but couldn’t maintain the pace of Herrin and Jacobsen, eventually earning a very respectable fourth place with some solid championship points ahead of round two at Road America in April.
Binder’s teammate Wristin Grigg had a promising start to the weekend, qualifying his Ducati Panigale V2 in ninth, but he was caught up in a multi-bike, turn one pile-up off the start of the second green light, ending his race before it began.
2026 Daytona 200 Results
Josh Herrin (Ducati)
Tyler Scott (Suzuki) +38.162
Kayla Yaakov (Ducati) +1:07:477
Darryn Binder (Ducati) +1:07:643
Alessandro Di Mario (Ducati) +1:27.480
Josh Herrin takes a record fourth straight Daytona 200 win on the Ducati Panigale V2. Photo courtesy Ducati.
“First of all, I want to say sorry to PJ, I know that’s gut-wrenching,” Herrin said. “I had some bad luck of my own that I had to overcome with the cameraman. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I got stuck behind every possible lapped rider, but I knew I just had to keep cool and settle in, then PJ went down, which was really unfortunate.
“After breaking three ribs at a crash at Podium Club, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself until Ben Spies (team manager) told me he won his first MotoGP race with four broken ribs and I thought, “Ok, maybe I’ve got this”, then I got sick from my kids so I’ve been coughing a lot and the ribs haven’t been healing.
“It’s been a hard weekend but that’s what’s cool about my crew chief Scott Jensen. He’s an ex-rider and he kept me positive all weekend.
“We showed up with a good bike today. There’s something about Daytona. I feel like every time we have some adversity, I somehow keep getting carried back towards the front. It was just an amazing race. I couldn’t believe I had a plus 40-second lead with six laps to go. I was being so cautious, almost using half throttle on the banking until I saw the flag. Thank you to everybody, all the sponsors and the crew, who helped get this win today.”
Kayla Yaakov on the podium at Daytona 200. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Kayla Yaakov (Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight – #19):
“It’s insane!” Yaakov enthused in the post-race interview. “I’ve said it all weekend, I really didn’t think this result was going to be possible. I felt confident in myself that I could be up there, but we were struggling so much with the bike setup all weekend.
“In the race, I just tried to stay calm, the team stayed calm, and we were able to pull it off. I’m just so happy to be here on the podium and keep showing women they can do it. I shied away from that a bit in the past, but I’m really think it’s a special thing I am able to do, and I’m so honored to be in that position now.”
The MotoAmerica paddock will reconvene for the first round of the 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship at Road Atlanta on April 17-19, 2026.
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