Semi-retired four-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion Josh Hayes has announced via social media that he will return to compete in the 79th Daytona 200 ASRA SportBike race March 14 at Daytona International Speedway.
In 2019, Hayes and his wife/team owner Melissa Paris decided at the last-minute to enter Hayes in the classic race on a Yamaha YZF-R6 she had sitting idle prior to the start of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.
Paris wanted to showcase the fact she had a racebike available for hire that was ready to run at the front, and Hayes felt he had some unfinished business after he was stripped of his Daytona 200 win in 2008 due to a technical violation with his Erion Racing Honda.
Last year, Hayes qualified sixth for the Daytona 200 and ran in the front pack throughout the first stint. Then during his first pit stop, Hayes’ front brake lever got bumped out of position and he was barely able to reach it, causing his pace to slow through the middle of the race.
Hayes and his Paris-led crew were able to re-position the brake lever during a red flag stoppage, before the four-lap restart that finished the race. Kyle Wyman pulled off an amazing last lap to secure the 2019 Daytona 200 race victory, while Hayes fought with the rest of the lead pack to get fourth.
“So, the boss @melissaparis13 is on me about that Rolex again,” Hayes posted on his social media feed Friday. “The thoughts of gridding up for the #daytona200 again, and better prepared than last year, makes me start feeling tingly inside.”
To help fund their Daytona 200 racing effort, Hayes and Paris are hosting a ride day/Supercross viewing party February 15 at their home in Oceanside, California. The event is limited to only 10 riders, but more than 10 can be a part of the viewing party. To sign up, go here: https://www.melissaparis.com/collections/mp13-casual-wear/products/2020-daytona-200-ride-day-party-fundraiser
