Two-time Daytona 200 winner Danny EslickSince the creation of MotoAmerica last year, one question surrounded the Daytona 200 – who will sanction it?The American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) stepped up, and sanctioned the 2015 event. And the ASRA returns once again to sanction the 75th running of the Daytona 200 set for March 12 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.
“Without a doubt, the Daytona 200 is a historic motorcycle race, known not just by American riders but by riders around the world,” said AMA Director of Racing Bill Cumbow. “Indeed, with an AMA sanction, international riders governed by non-U.S. motorcycling federations can more easily secure the start permissions they need to compete at this storied event.”The American Motorcyclist Association reports that the American Sportbike Racing Association event is a standalone premier American road race. “While the 2016 Daytona 200 is not part of the AMA-sanctioned professional road racing series in which riders earn points toward an AMA National No. 1 plate, it remains an important part of America’s motorcycle racing heritage,” the AMA says.This year’s 75th Daytona 200 will once again be a 57-lap race over 200 miles on the 3.51-mile road course. Also, all bikes will once again be 600cc sportbikes.The 2015 Daytona 200 was dominated by Danny Eslick, who also won in 2014. Eslick became the 12th rider in the endurance race’s history to score back-to-back wins, joining the likes of Mat Mladin (2000-2001), Scott Russell (1994-1995 and 1997-1998), and Kenny Roberts (1983-1984), to name the most recent.
