Reigning class champion Eslick adds XR1200 race to his weekend schedule SALT LAKE CITY — Danny Eslick will be pulling double duty for the GEICO/Richie Morris Racing team during the upcoming Big M Weekend presented by Lucas Oil at Miller Motorsports Park. The 2009 Daytona Sportbike champ was offered a last-minute chance to race in the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 class, a category he won in 2010, and he jumped at the opportunity. “I’m excited to get ride the bike again and go have some fun with it,” Eslick said. “It should be a great weekend and who knows, maybe I can win on one of these things.” Eslick is excited to ride two machines during the holiday weekend event, as he knows it will double his chances to win. “I love my Suzuki,” Eslick said, “but it’ll be cool to get to ride a Harley this weekend too. Hopefully I can put on a good show and the fans will like what they see in the class.” The Oklahoman competed in the class part-time last season and had a very successful showing, collecting the XR1200 championship even though he raced just half of events. “I’m proud to run the No. 1 plate for a race or two this year,” Eslick said. “It’s going to be fun to ride it again when the schedule lines up. There’s a lot more competition in the class this season so hopefully it’ll be a good challenge for me. “With it only being a single race weekend in the Sportbike class I’m looking forward to the extra seat time. Plus, with the World Superbike guys in town, it’s a great opportunity to spice things up a little bit.” The AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series features specifically modified Harley-Davidson XR1200 motorcycles. Qualifying is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. MDT, Saturday, with the race itself scheduled to begin at 1:20 p.m. Monday.