Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante earned provisional pole position for Saturday's Daytona 200 with a record-setting lap on Thursday afternoon at Daytona International Speedway. Escalante’s lap of 1:47.833 is a new record and he was the only rider in the 68-rider strong field to lap in the 1:47s.
MotoAmerica’s Communications Manager Paul Carruthers says Escalante hasn’t forgotten last year when he was in a battle with Josh Herrin when the two came together in turn one... and Escalante crashed. "He’s hopeful of this being a redemption race and he’s determined to make that happen."
“I feel great and the first day was amazing – P1. I made an amazing lap and I’m happy again to be racing in the 200,” adds Escalante. “After last year I really want to come back and battle for the win again. Now I will keep working for the race. So, thanks to my team, Vision Wheel M4 Suzuki, and to all the fans.”
Escalante’s teammate Tyler Scott, ended up second, just .212 behind Escalante, but his session came to a painful conclusion with a crash in the chicane on his final lap. Scott was in the low 1:48s, with a 1:48.045. Vesrah Racing’s Hayden Gillim gave the Suzuki GSX-R750 a sweep of the provisional front row with Gillim and his 1:49.301 the third fastest time of the session.
Meanwhile defending Daytona 200 winner, the aforementioned Josh Herrin, finished fourth in qualifying on the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V2 — just .001 of a second off the front row.
Photo by Brian J. Nelson