AMA Formula Xtreme: Daytona 200 Qualifying

Neil Hodgson claims pole for 67th Daytona 200

(AMA Pro Racing Release) Neil Hodgson claimed the pole position for the 67th Daytona 200 in what was not only his first weekend with the American Honda squad, but the first 600cc race of his career. The former World and British Superbike champ’s lap of 1:39.347 made him the first British rider to take the Daytona 200 pole since Paul Smart back in 1974.

The result was a drastic change from a year ago when Hodgson was strolling the Daytona paddock in his street clothes.

After claiming the pole Hodgson said, “It’s an honor. It’s funny because last year I was here as a spectator, ‘Mr. Longface,’ just walking around jealous thinking I’d never get another chance. I remember watching Miguel (DuHamel) fighting for the pole with Jason DiSalvo. It’s weird that twelve months later here I am on pole position. It doesn’t seem real.”

Hodgson actually crashed late in the session while in the midst of what was shaping up to be his best lap. He admitted that he was somewhat surprised his earlier time withstood the assaults on his rivals.

“It was actually not a very good lap to be honest. It was a good qualifying lap but I came in and thought, ‘I’ll definitely go faster than that.’ That was my second qualifier. I put my third one in and I got balked really bad and I crashed on my last one. I knew there was a lot more time out there, to at least get in the ‘38s. I got the first section really sweet. I ran past my pitboard and everything seemed really good and I was just asking too much in Turn 5 and folded the front and banged my ribs.”

So where does a Daytona pole rank for a rider with such an impressive resume built on extensive international success? “It’s definitely a big deal. If you ask anybody in racing, a lot of people know if you win pole at Daytona you get a Daytona Rolex. It’s sort of made it quite a special event, quite prestigious. That side of it is important, but the biggest side of it for me is the race. Pole is great but it’s the race that everybody remembers.

“If I can get the win on Saturday, that will be absolutely awesome. I don’t know if that’s possible, it’s going to be great between these guys. I’m looking forward to the race. I’ve watched it for the last five years and always thought I well want to be involved in one of those races because it looks like fun.”

The front row for Saturday’s race will see the Attack Kawasaki squad sandwiched between the American Honda runners. Chaz Davies was less than a tenth of a second off of pole (1:39.436) in his Attack Kawasaki debut while defending Daytona 200 winner Steve Rapp looks even more dangerous this year, qualifying third fastest at 1:39.779.

Miguel DuHamel, the five-time Daytona 200 winner -- tied with ‘Mr. Daytona’ Scott Russell for most all time -- will start from the outside of Row 1 despite setting his best time on race tires.

The Canadian made it three foreign riders on the front row of the most famous of American motorcycle races.

Defending two-time Formula Xtreme champion Josh Hayes leads the second row, follow by his Erion Honda teammate Jake Zemke, Michael Barnes on a M4 EMGO Suzuki GSX-R, and Rockwall Honda’s Aaron Gobert.

The third row features Martin Cardenas, Larry Pegram, Joshua Day, and Tyler McDonald.

The 67th running of the Daytona 200 will get underway at 2:00 pm ET on Saturday, March 8, and will be shown live on SPEED.