2018 Daytona 200 Marks 77th Running of the Event
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The 77th running of the iconic American Motorcyclist Association-sanctioned Daytona 200 road race at Daytona International Speedway on March 17 will feature intense competition on the track, as well as a fan walk and autograph session before racing gets underway.
First run in 1937 on a makeshift 4.2-mile road/beach circuit, the Daytona 200 has evolved into a 200-mile, 57-lap bar banging battle between professional and amateur road racers.
“These riders will be navigating the twists, turns and steep banking of Daytona International Speedway’s 3.51-mile road course, reaching speeds of up to 180 mph,” said AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “It’s exciting for the competitors and a thrill to watch from the stands.”
The fan activities begin at 11:35 a.m. Racing starts at 1 p.m.
The American Sportbike Racing Association event is a standalone premier American road race. While the 2018 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.
“With our AMA partnership, the Daytona 200 is drawing interest from all over the world,” said ASRA President Kevin Elliott. “Last year, we had 68 bikes take the green flag. And, after 200 miles, Danny Eslick passed Corey West on the last lap to take the victory by a mere 0.041 seconds.”
