Former AMA Superbike and World Superbike Champion Scott Russell is known as “Mr. Daytona” because he won the Daytona 200, America’s greatest motorcycle road race, a total of five times in his career. Now, Russell is considering trying to add another chapter to his Daytona legend by coming back to race the Daytona 200 in 2015, when the race will once again be a Superbike class event. And Russell, who will turn 50 years old in 2015, doesn’t want to just participate. He wants to try to win the Daytona 200 again.
“Obviously, Daytona is a special place for me,” Russell said Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. “I’ll be 50 years old next year. How old is the oldest guy to ever win the 200? I think he’s 36. I think [Miguel] Duhamel and I had this conversation the other day. The thought of maybe trying again is rattling around in my head, so who knows.”
Russell’s comments came in a press conference that was organized so that Daytona International Speedway and AMA Pro Racing officials and AMA Pro team representatives and riders could offer their thoughts on the announcement on February 10 that the Daytona 200 would be contested by Superbikes once again starting in 2015.
After the press conference Roadracingworld.com asked Russell if his comments were part of a plan or just talk, and he said, “It’s talk right now, but I love this sport. In the past there have been guys who have come back like [Eddie] Lawson and guys like that. If the opportunity came up I’m probably in the best shape of my life right now, and if it helped bring people into the race, if I had the right opportunity, the right bike, the right effort, I would definitely consider it seriously.”
Russell went on to say he’s already shared his thoughts with AMA Pro Racing personnel including the Daytona Motorsports Group ownership team led by NASCAR executive Jim France, a personal friend of Russell.
“We’ve talked about it,” Russell said. “So we’re kicking it around, but it’s got to be the right deal. I don’t want to come out here and just be the decoration for the place. If I come I’d like to have a real legit shot at winning the thing. Like I said I’m in great shape. I haven’t raced competitively in a long, long time, but there’s something about this place that always went really well for me. It could be a good story. It could help bring fans in. I would seriously consider it, but they would have to make it right for me. It’s good that we’re already talking about it a year out, so there’s time to get our ducks in a row.
“It’s a crazy thought, I know, at my age, but I’m here to help rebuild this series and help in any way.”