Jason DiSalvo wins the 2011 Daytona 200 – Click above for high-res image gallery
While this year’s Daytona 200 was a great day for Ducati and its 848 EVO, it left something to be desired for everyone else. The race was blighted by tire issues, a bad final-lap crash that the riders were lucky to walk away from and a controversy stemming from Ducati’s win.
The controversy started with a red flag late in the race and a mandatory tire change for all riders. On the same lap, Ducati rider Jason DiSalvo blew a cylinder on his machine. Eventually, race officials decided to re-start around 3:30 and run the rest of the 200 as a 15-lap sprint to the finish. Besides angering fans who paid to see a 200-mile single race and would end up with 147 miles over two races, the delay allowed DiSalvo’s team time to change his blown engine.
With permission from the AMA, DiSalvo was back in the race. In the final seconds of the all-out 15-lap sprint to the finish, DiSalvo passed Cory West on a draft to take the win. That wasn’t the end, though. Since there had been a red flag, there was some confusion as to who should be crowned the victor.
There was talk of letting the results from the lap before the red flag stand. That would have meant the race ended with Josh Herrin out front, JD Beach in second and Jake Zemke third. Officials decided, however, that since the top six riders had crossed the line before the red flag fell and everyone else was still on the previous lap, the results from the 15-lap sprint would decide the winner.
That meant that Jason Di Salvo, who before the red flag was out of the race, was crowned race winner, followed by Cory West and Jake Zemke. The result was no doubt a great moment for Ducati and DiSalvo, but left the guys who were ahead before the red flag and the fans who saw a shortened race feeling understandably spurned.
Click past the jump for a press release from Ducati celebrating the victory and a video of the closing laps of the 2011 Daytona 200.
Featured Gallery
Jason DiSalvo leads the Daytona 200
Jason DiSalvo leads the Daytona 200
Jason DiSalvo wins the Daytona 200
Jason DiSalvo wins the Daytona 200
Jason DiSalvo wins the Daytona 200
Jason DiSalvo wins the Daytona 200
[Source: Motorcycle USA, Axis Of Oversteer, Ducati]
Show full PR text
DUCATI WINS THE DAYTONA 200
The new Ducati 848EVO proves itself a winner and ends Ducati’s
legendary Daytona draught
Daytona Beach, FL (12 March 2011) – In what can only be described as
a wild and closely fought race, privateer Jason DiSalvo and Team Latus
Motors Racing took the new Ducati 848EVO to victory in today’s Daytona
200- the bike’s first professional road race.
The 2011 season opener at Daytona International Speedway had great
potential for Ducati before the green flag even dropped, thanks to the
848EVO being the weapon of choice for the Daytona Sportbike class. The
Daytona 200 had seven 848EVO entries, the most Ducati’s on the 200
grid in over ten years.
“I really want to thank the Latus Ducati guys for all of their work in
the pits. I’m so happy I can give Ducati their first Daytona 200 win
in my first race on the bike, and the 848EVO’s first ever AMA race!
It’s a magical thing and I’m excited to fight for the championship as
the season goes on, “said DiSalvo.
DiSalvo’s victory in today’s race places him amongst legendary riders
in Ducati’s long racing history. The 848EVO proved to be the bike
which accomplished one of Ducati’s biggest wins in its US racing
history, and the company will now set sights on the season
championship.
“I am proud of what Jason and Team Latus Motors Racing have
accomplished today. I wish them the best for the rest of the season
and cannot wait to see our latest model post more victories!” said
Cristiano Silei, CEO of Ducati North America.
The 848EVO’s next race will take place at California’s Infineon
Raceway May 13-15th. For more information about the new Ducati 848EVO,
please visit www.ducatiusa.com.