AMA: Scott Russell Tries for 5th Daytona 200 Win
24 February 1998
R98018 February 23, 1998 For Immediate Release RUSSELL SHOOTS FOR RECORD FIFTH DAYTONA 200 VICTORY WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Georgian Scott Russell has already earned the title of "Mr. Daytona," thanks to his fourth victory last year in the Daytona 200 by Arai, which put him on top of the all-time wins list at Daytona International Speedway. Now, on March 8, Russell will attempt to make it even harder for other riders to catch his Daytona 200 record by going for his fifth win during the 57th edition of the March classic. Russell's quest for No. 5 highlights the week-long Daytona 200 activities in Daytona Beach. "It's going to be interesting, that's for sure" Russell said from his ranch in Georgia. "Running on Michelin tires is going to be a challenge. Michelin hasn't won the 200 since way back in 1989, with John Ashmead. But, you never know. So many things can happen in 200 miles that just about anybody has a chance to win if luck goes their way." Aside from being one of the few truly legendary motorcycle races in the world, the Daytona 200 is also the second round of the 14-race MBNA Superbike Tour. Australian Anthony Gobert won convincingly in the opening round of the tour at Phoenix International Raceway on Feb. 15. Gobert, a former Australian Superbike Champion, World Superbike and Grand Prix competitor, will try to give Ducati its first victory at the 200. The Italian marque has come close in recent years -- World Superbike Champions Doug Polen and Carl Fogarty rode Ducatis to second-place finishes in 1992 and 1994, both finishing behind Russell. Ducati's Daytona presence will be strong this year, with Gobert and his Vance & Hines Ducati teammate Thomas Stevens, who has finished on the podium twice in the 200, both going for the win. Fast by Ferracci Ducati team also has a strong squad, with 1995 MBNA Superbike Tour runner-up Mike Hale and veteran Tom Kipp. Honda's lead rider, two-time Daytona winner Miguel Duhamel, should be one of the top contenders again this year. Duhamel, a Montreal native and the winningest Superbike rider in the '90s, won the 200 in 1991, his first year in the race. Duhamel came back to win in 1996 over Russell by less than half a bike length in the closest Daytona 200 in history. Another racer to watch will be defending MBNA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler. The rider from Salinas, Calif., has an impressive list of accomplishments to his credit, but a victory in the 200 is the one prize that has eluded him. Last year Chandler rode an excellent race and finished second to Russell. His Muzzy Kawasaki ZX7 won the Superbike Series three times in the last six years. This year, Chandler hopes to finally win the 200. Suzuki's Mat Mladin finished second to fellow Aussie Gobert in Phoenix a few weeks ago, making Mladin one of the favorites at Daytona. Suzuki is looking for its second win in the 200. Kevin Schwantz (now a NASCAR Busch Grand National Series driver) gave Suzuki its only victory in the race back in 1988. Three-time Daytona Elf Race Fuels & Lubricants Grand Prix winner Rich Oliver will get the opportunity to compete in his first Daytona 200. Oliver, the Fresno, Calif., resident who won an AMA-record 20 consecutive 250 GP races during the 1996 and '97 seasons, will be riding on the powerful Yamaha team, along with Superbike rookie Jamie Hacking. With 17 wins, Yamaha has won the Daytona 200 more than any other brand. Pascal Picotte won the pole position in the 200 in 1994. Along with teammate Tom Wilson, he'll try to give Harley-Davidson its first Daytona 200 win since 1969. The field may be deep and talented, but any rider will likely have to come around Russell to win the 200. Not only has Russell won four out of the last six Daytona 200 races, he also owns three Rolex Daytona watches for setting the fastest qualifying lap three times, and he holds the motorcycle track record at one minute, 48.999 seconds (117.579 mph) set in qualifying last year. -30-
