TOBC racing Rider Danny Eslick Wins 74th Daytona 200
TOBC racing rider Danny Eslick came out on top of an exciting multi-rider battle to win the 74th Daytona 200 on Saturday, March 14, on Daytona International Speedway’s 2.91-mile short course. Eslick is the first Suzuki mounted rider since 2004 to win the historic race.
Michelle Lindsay, a very happy TOBC racing team owner, said, “The Daytona 200 was such an amazing experience. TOBC racing has always been synonymous with family, a big family with a big heart… and Danny fit right in with the team. The 200 was a truly great race down to the finish. There were several competitors that were dicing it up for the duration of the race, so it gave the fans a real nail biter to watch.
“Of course, It wouldn’t be a true endurance race without a few complications. The night before during pit change practice, our side lift stand broke and needed to be fabricated. We experienced radio communication failure early on in the actual race; we could hear Danny, but he couldn’t hear us. The team put a pit board on top of a fan’s school bus in the infield to reestablish communication with Danny after that. Despite numerous red flags and some difficulties, Danny was able to bring home the win.
“I am grateful and honored to have had this opportunity to work with such an amazing team of true professionals in the industry. Danny Eslick embodies the pinnacle of an expert rider and rode his heart out for us. Special thanks goes to John Macalusco with Miracle Motorsports for getting us to the 200. If it weren’t for the amazing TOBC racing team: Scott Harwell, Frank Aragaki, Robin Hawley, Philip Doyle, Christy Martin, Michael Dillon, Kelsey Durham, and riders Calvin Crosslin, CJ Crosslin, and Elisabeth Deeter, and of course CCS for continuing the 200 tradition, we would not have taken home the victory.
“It is an incredibly emotional win in honor and memoriam of TOBC racing founder Jon Couch and his mother, Frances Couch. Jon elevated the sport and promoted honor, integrity, excellence, and heart. TOBC racing is so proud of Danny and to have been able to bring home the win for Jon and Fran. It’s not confirmed yet, but we believe this is the first Daytona 200 win for a woman owned team, and also to field a father/son team that finished. “
Danny Eslick would also like to thank his sponsors: Miracle Motorsports, TOBC racing, Dunlop, Ballistic Batteries, Superbike Supply, Tightails subframes, Chicken Hawk Racing, Speed and Strength leathers, and Arai helmets.
More, from a press release issued by Arai Helmet Inc.:
Arai congratulates Danny Eslick on winning 2015 Daytona 200
(Allentown, PA) – Arai Helmet, makers of world class, handmade helmets for more than six decades, wishes to congratulate Arai racer Danny Eslick on his victory at Saturday’s 74th running of the Daytona 200 at the Daytona International Speedway.
After multiple red flags, Eslick used a dramatic last-lap pass aboard his TOBC Racing Suzuki to take home the checkered flag. This is the second Daytona 200 victory in a row for the Oklahoma native. Fellow Arai pilot Geoff May also finished on the podium, finishing third on his crowd-sourced Team Mayday Yamaha. Earlier in the weekend, May scored pole position in the 200, taking home the Arai Corsair-V Nicky Hayden Replica as his prize.
“We’re so proud of Danny for bringing home the win after such a hard-fought race,” said Brian Weston, Managing Director of Arai Helmet, Inc. “Both he and Geoff represented the Arai brand so well all weekend, and we wish them continued success as we move into the heart of 2015 race season.”
Both racers were wearing Arai’s flagship Corsair-V model. Used by top-level racers around the world, including Nicky Hayden, Dani Pedrosa and Josh Hayes, the Corsair-V features Peripheral Belting (created for Arai’s Formula One helmets) for enhanced structural integrity above the eye-port opening, and Arai’s advanced Structural Net Composite (SNC) shell construction, which employs proprietary net strands that work like rebar to bond shell layers more securely and offer even better shell integrity. The Corsair-V’s patented, adjustable AirWing is specifically designed to reduce drag, turbulence and buffeting at speed, just what a racer needs when negotiating the legendary high banks of Daytona at nearly 200 miles per hour.
For more information on the entire 2015 Arai lineup, visit AraiAmericas.com. Arai North America can be followed on social media via Facebook (AraiHelmetAmericas), Twitter (@araiamericas) and Instagram (@araiamericas).