The first editions of the DAYTONA 200 MILES took place from 1937 on the Daytona Beach Road Course, before moving in 1961 to the Daytona International Speedway.
For years, the course remained almost unchanged, mainly running along the banked oval used in NASCAR races and including a more technical infield section, similar to that of the 24 Hours of Daytona for cars. The 1977 edition, won by Steve Baker, was included in the MotoGP in the Formula 750 class.
Since 1985, the competition has been held with motorcycles from the superbike category, attracting the best European riders. After the 2004 renovations at the West Bank, which increased speed in that sector, the 2005 200 Miglia was run with bikes from the AMA Formula Xtreme category, less powerful than the AMA Superbikes. A new circuit configuration was introduced that excluded the West banking: after the Pedro Rodríguez hairpin, it included a new connection, going in reverse around the International Horseshoe curve and reconnecting to the Superstretch straight, crossing the inside of the circuit and reducing the length about a half mile, requiring multiple laps for the race.
The competition is among the most exciting in American motorcycling, with elements typical of endurance races such as pit stops for tire changes and refueling and the possible entry of the safety car onto the track. Among the great champions of the last fifty years we remember Giacomo Agostini, Johnny Ceccotto, Eddie Lawson, Freddie Spencer and Kenny Roberts.
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