Throwback Thursday: Daytona Short Track National Start (2000)

Larry Lawrence | February 8, 2024

Terry Poovey was the dominant rider that night on his Rotax

In this week’s Throwback we dial back the clock 24 years to the year 2000 and the AMA Grand National Short Track race at Daytona Beach’s Municipal Stadium. This is the start of the national. This photo ran in Cycle News’ coverage, but it was printed in black and white and didn’t do the scene justice. Here’s the photo 24 years later in living color. All the top contenders were up front when the race began. Joe Kopp (partially hidden) got the holeshot, with Terry Poovey (No. 18 ) in second. Third-place finisher Brett Landes (41) came from the second row to finish on the podium. Also shown in the photo are Bryan Bigelow (No. 11), Chris Carr (No. 1), Will Davis (No. 21), Paul Lynch (No. 19), Michael Varnes (No. 24), Willie McCoy (No. 59), Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. (No. 31) among others. Poovey was on fire that night and was half a lap ahead by the checkered flag. In just a few weeks the 2024 edition of this race will take place on March 7-8 during Daytona’s Bike Week.

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