TOBC TRIUMPH RETURN TO DAYTONA 200
The TOBC – Triumph racing team, supported by FreedomRoad Financial, returns to the Daytona 200 this weekend with Danny Eslick back on the track for another year.
Heading in to 2024, the TOBC – Triumph team have come together to reinforce the competitiveness of the TOBC Triumph team and the Street Triple. This also makes two teams supported by FreedomRoad Financial in the legendary race this weekend. Eslick will once again pilot a Triumph Street Triple, which powered his TOBC teammate to the top of the 2022 podium and now has five seasons of outstanding performance and reliability as the exclusive engine in the Moto2™ World Championship.
A victory for Danny Eslick would put the veteran racer in the company of few, tied for most wins all-time with five. Lindsay has already made history as the only female team owner to reach the top of the Daytona 200 podium, and a 5th win would further add to her legacy.
Michelle Lindsay – Owner, TOBC Racing
“I am excited to bring TOBC Racing back for another opportunity to compete in the Daytona 200 thanks to the support from Triumph and FreedomRoad Financial. It takes a team, and we wouldn’t’ be here without everyone working together to make it happen.”
Rod Lopusnak – General Manager, Triumph Motorcycles America
“The Daytona 200 continues to capture the world’s attention among racing events across the globe, As we gear up for the upcoming race, our focus remains on showcasing the unparalleled power and agility of the Triumph Street Triple and its 765 three-cylinder engine. Backed by Michelle and her TOBC Racing team, alongside the skills of Danny, we present a formidable force on the track. We extend our gratitude to FreedomRoad Financial for their unwavering support. Together, we aim to secure another victory and add to our legacy.”
Tom Collins – Managing Director, FreedomRoad Financial
“We are proud to have Triumph as our longest tenured OEM relationship as we’ve been their retail finance partner since 2008. We continue to be proud of the team’s performance on and off the track and we are excited to support them again in 2024.”
More, from a press release issued by TOBC Racing Owner Michele Lindsay:
When the band gets Themselves back together.
The phrase “Let’s get the band back together” resonates with many, but for me, as the team owner of TOBC racing, this year presented immense challenges. Balancing a battle with stage 4 Pancreatic cancer, a demanding yet fulfilling career, and the joys of parenthood with a newborn son made the idea of racing impossible. I firmly believe in giving my all and dedicating 150% to my commitments, and my team deserves nothing less. The Daytona 200 was just not in the cards for 2024. Despite two attempts to sell the team and infrastructure, life had other plans.
The inception of TOBC was fueled by the passion of our founder, Jon Couch, who had a deep love for racing and a commitment to building a family-like team culture both on and off the track. After his unexpected and sudden passing in 2014, I purchased and took on the responsibility of leading his team to carry forward his legacy. Jon’s philosophy of treating team members like family led to remarkable achievements, including three full MotoAmerica seasons, finishing second, and fourth twice in the 1000 Superstock Championship, top 10 in Superbike, and four Daytona 200 victories, on three brands with two riders. His passion became my own, and with the support of my husband Myles Wilson, we continued the team for another six years.
The love for racing never truly fades, but for the sake of our growing family, I made a promise to focus on my career, health, and most importantly, nurturing my role as a mother to baby Holden, born shortly after the 2023 Daytona 200.
In late January this year, the reality of NOT being at the 200 sank in. I called Harry Houck, who became an invaluable member of the team at Daytona in October of 2021. I asked him, “How do I make peace with NOT being there?”
His response was nothing short of surprising.
“I have been waiting for this call, Boss,” he said, “Let ME run it…let me get the team to the 200.”
His unexpected offer to lead the team to the 200 this year was touching, but knowing all that goes into it and Harry being a new father himself, I had doubts about its feasibility.
A few weeks went by without news, and I resigned myself to TOBC Racing’s absence from the 82nd running of Daytona 200. Then, a few days later, a call from Harry changed everything.
“It’s happening, Boss. The team is committed and covering their expenses to be there.”
Team members for TOBC come from as far as Norway, so this is no small feat.
Tears filled my eyes as gratitude washed over me. The camaraderie and dedication of my team and sponsors over the past decade proved truly exceptional.
Approaching my 11th year at the Daytona 200 (my 10th year running it) with the chance to secure Danny Eslick’s fifth win, my heart swells with gratitude and anticipation unique to Daytona.
Few team members now knew or had the opportunity to work with Jon, but carrying over the values and legacy of a family team and culture from Jon’s days, to mine, has now carried over yet again to Harry running it much the same. It makes a person feel like they did something right in the world. I am so incredibly honored.
I express heartfelt thanks to my team and sponsors for making this journey possible, not just for me, but for Danny as well. Most of all to Harry and his family….who is just passionate and crazy enough to take the torch and run with it!
Special thanks to Treemendous Tree Care, Triumph Motorcycles, Wild MFG, Pirelli Tires, K-Tech, Michael Matassa, sponsor of the Daytona Beach IFBB Pro-Am Body Building Competition, Full Spectrum Power, and our long-term sponsor and friend, Mark Matovina of Daytona-based Politus and Matovina Attorney’s at Law.
Your unwavering support has turned this dream into a reality.
TOBC has always embodied dedication and heart. I can’t believe I/we get to be here again, this time with my son fielding a bike at the iconic World Center of Racing. It is surreal. Can’t wait to see you there!