Daytona 200 2021

What a year it has been! As you already know the Daytona 200 2020 race was postponed due to the Global Pandemic. The understanding yet frustration lingered with the team but only fueled Squid Hunter Racing to continue pushing for the future.
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In December of 2020, we received horrific news, the Squid Hunter Racing trailer and all racing logistic equipment were stolen. Needless to say, our hopes of running in the March 2021 Daytona 200 was off the table. 
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On February 12, 2021, we received a call from Michael Barnes, he was fired up and really wanted to race the 200. SHR Owner, Peter Strack, conferenced in mechanic Jordan Strange, and the decision to race was made that day. From that moment,  team no sleep was in full effect. The game plan for this year’s race was to relax and have fun! A mass text was sent out to the team, all quickly dropped everything in their personal lives to assist in the preparations for the Daytona 200. 
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After three weeks of preparations, engine build, bike prep, we finally arrived at Daytona International Speedway. We did not have a chance to test and knowing our logistic equipment was stolen, we did not know what was even missing but we hit the ground running as soon as we got to the track like a finely greased wheel! Michael Barnes, in true form, was immediately fast from the very first session. Qualifying third, the excitement was running through our veins that we had a chance to win. 

The race started on a Saturday with beautiful weather, everything operating smoothly. Barnes took off leading many of the first 26-30 laps. Midway through the race, the entire team felt like we had the team, the rider, and the bike to lead us to victory. However, it was not meant to be, placing fourth in the Daytona Iconic Race. The level of effort that it took to put the race together in three short weeks is an incredible feat. With the small team and only one Daytona 200 race under our belt, we will take away the massive positives and come back stronger in 2022. Big thanks to all who participated to ensure a successful weekend!