Attack Performance Yamaha will field Cameron Petersen on a YZF-R6 in the 2023 Daytona 200 March 11 at Daytona International Speedway, but Petersen’s teammate two-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne says he will sit the classic race out.
“It was kind of up to me, and I just want to focus on the Superbike,” said Gagne, who was entered in the 2022 Daytona 200 but withdrew from the event after suffering a crash and injuries during practice. “I haven’t ridden 600s for a few years. I’m not really a fan of riding 600s after riding Superbikes for so many years. And I’m not a fan of Daytona and the 200, in general. So if it’s up to me, I want to focus on the Superbike series.”
After finishing second, just 0.007 second behind winner Brandon Paasch in the 2022 Daytona 200, Petersen is eager for another shot at the iconic event.
“I had so much fun last year, and getting beaten by that margin had me itching to go back this year,” said Petersen. “I think the [team] guys were in Portugal for the World Superbike round and [Team Owner] Richard [Stanboli] sent me a message: ‘Hey, do you want to do the 200?’ I said, ‘Absolutely! Let’s make it happen.’
“For me, it’s such a new experience, and I enjoyed every second of it last year. So I was like, I need to go and redeem myself and have the experience at least one more time.”
