After several schedule adjustments, while eager officials closely followed a severe storm system passing through Daytona Beach, the rain let up and the track began to dry ahead of the 80th running of the Daytona 200.
After a last minute dash to the front in qualifying, Josh Herrin was the rider to beat in pole position for the scheduled 57-lap race. But the field was stacked with several capable riders chomping at the bit for the coveted title of Daytona champion and a brand new Rolex.
From the start, there was a quick and constant shuffle as riders jockeyed for position to stay in the lead group and take advantage of the draft along the steep banks and fast straightaways of Daytona International Speedway.
It was Max Angles who jumped to the front early and settled into the lead. But his run was cut short as the race was stopped due to a downed rider on course just after seven laps of racing. The riders pulled in as the clouds parted and the sun began to heat things up.
This race red flag and restart situation was a blessing in disguise for Squid Hunter Racing’s Josh Hayes, who was originally forced to start the event from the back of the grid due to a technical infraction the day before. In the first start, Hayes had quickly worked his way up towards the front, which allowed him to be with the lead guys for the race restart.
As the pack took off for the second time of the day, Danny Eslick quickly encountered issues with his bike. The TOBC team racer began to frantically signal to the passing riders of his slowing Triumph, but thankfully he managed to get to the first turn unscathed. The Oklahoma native was able to regain control of his machine and settled mid-pack before eventually finishing with a strong 6th position.
The lead group of eight riders were pushing hard and constantly swapping positions as the first set of pit stops began. In an attempt to gain time advantage, a few riders remained on course in a gamble of risking maximum fuel consumption for precious seconds.
One of these riders was Herrin, who ran out of fuel coming out of the final chicane forcing the bike to be pushed in for the pit stop. Complicating things further, the team struggled to get the Ducati Panigale V2 restarted, likely due to the fuel pump starving to get fuel back into the engine. Herrin would find himself buried in the field before charging forward to a strong 10th position.
With 30 laps remaining, the lead pack began to reveal itself as Josh Hayes, Brandon Paasch, Sheridan Morais, and Cam Peterson surged forward.
Early race leader, Max Angles, was fighting hard for 5th position against M4 Ecstar Suzuki rider Richie Escalante, but unfortunately Max found himself on the ground and ended the day in 16th place.
The laps continued to wind down and the second pit stop window approached. The strategies used here could make or break a shot at victory, and these teams were ready with some the most efficient pit stops the event has ever seen.
Morais was the first rider of the leading group to pull into the pits, where his team slapped a fresh set of tires and poured in fuel at blazing speed. Peterson pulled in next, later followed by Hayes.
While the paddock began to brace for Paasch to pull in, he defied the expectations and stayed out on track. Finally, with 12 laps to go, Paasch pulled in where his team opted only for a refuel and sent him out on the used tires. The team decided after reviewing the first set of tires that they could last until the finish. A bold, yet promising move.
With less than 10 laps remaining, the fast pack of four found themselves together once again as Peterson’s post-pit-stop lead was quickly chipped away.
Weaving through lapped riders they continued to push hard and slingshot past one another on the fast straightaways, the final lap saw Morais leading ahead of Peterson, Hayes, and Paasch respectively.
As is common with the Daytona 200, the race was determined by who could find themselves in the best position leaving the final chicane and catch the perfect draft in hopes of flying past the leader before the checkered flag. Today, for the second year in a row, that clever and victorious rider was Brandon Paasch aboard the TOBC Racing Triumph.
Paasch barely edged out Peterson and Morais right at the finish line, with Hayes losing out on the final push in fourth.
Paasch has now secured himself as a definite Daytona 200 threat for years to come. In reference to the prize money, which he last year donated half to the family of fallen racer and friend Lloyd Bayley, Paasch said this year he’s splitting half with the TOBC Racing team. This is a well-deserved bonus for such a hard-working crew.
We’re thankful the weather allowed the race to take place today, albeit slightly delayed, and can’t wait to return to the “World Center of Racing” next year for more Supersport action!
Ryan Yearwood is the motorsports correspondent for SoBros Network as well as the pioneer and visionary behind SoBros Outdoors. Follow on Twitter: @OutdoorSoBro.
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