Home » 2007 DaytonaDirect » The Track »

I won Daytona!

Since 1937, motorcycle racing in Daytona Beach, Florida, has usually meant the Daytona 200. But most of the racers who have made that most envious of declarations have never even set wheel to asphalt (or sand, back in the day).

"I won Daytona!" can refer to victory at the short-track at Daytona Municipal Stadium, the Supercross on the infield at the Speedway, any one of dozens of classes at the AMA Black Cat Gold Winter National Short Track Series, the Alligator Enduro off Tomoka Farms Road, or an American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association vintage race against the championship bikes (and riders) of Daytonas past.

It could even mean, in some circles, having the top custom at Boardwalk Classic Ride-in Bike Show.

And today, like every day now through Saturday, that list of Daytona winners got a little bit longer.

Maybe they've said it before, and they might say it again, but today, these are the vintage motorcycle racers who can now declare "I won Daytona!":

Sakis Vasilopoulos, 200 GP+
Alex McLean, Pre-1940
Ivan Messina, BOT Formula 2
Mike Parker (shown above), Motard
Bob Demetrius, SOS Two-Stroke
Kevin Keys, Super Mono
Pete Derosa, 250 GP
Alex McClean, Class C Foot
Robert Hermans, Class C Hand
David Rotvold, Production Lightweight
Bruce Yoxsimer, 350 GP
Chad Bebout, Production Heavyweight
Robert McLendon III, Thruxton Challenge
Ed Milich, Vintage Superbike Middle
Christopher Spargo, Formula 250
Tim Joyce, 500 Premier
Will Harding, Classic '60s
"Doc" Batsleer, Classic '60s 650
Neil Pooler, Formula 125
Scott Turner, Sportsman 350
Dave Bourbeau, Vintage Superbike Light
Tim Joyce, BEARS
Charles Easterling, Formula 500
Don Jagger, Sportsman 500
Jeff Hinds, Vintage Superbike Heavy
Gianfranco Guareschi, BOT Formula 1
Ed Milich, BOT Formula 3
Jay Springsteen, Formula 750
Jesse Morris, Sportsman 750
Thomas Fournier, Open Two-Stroke
Larry Pegram, Sound of Thumder
Jay Springsteen, Formula Vintage
Kevin Keys, Super Mono 2

Looking for the timeliest, most colorful and most comprehensive print coverage of everything Bike Week? AMA members get it all in the May issue of American Motorcyclist. Not a member? Join now.