HARLEY FACTORY TEAM XG750R RUNS STRONG IN FLAT TRACK DEBUT AT DAYTONA | Born To Ride Motorcycle Magazine - Motorcycle TV, Radio, Events, News and Motorcycle Blog
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HARLEY FACTORY TEAM XG750R RUNS STRONG IN FLAT TRACK DEBUT AT DAYTONA

Published on March 20, 2017 under Blog
HARLEY FACTORY TEAM XG750R RUNS STRONG IN FLAT TRACK DEBUT AT DAYTONA

Jake Johnson Charges to Fourth Place in American Flat Track Season-Opener

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (March 17, 2017) – Harley-Davidson® Factory Flat Track Racing Team rider Jake Johnson rode the all-new Harley-Davidson XG750R competition motorcycle to fourth-place finish at the Harley-Davidson Daytona TT presented by Politis & Matovina, the season-opening race of the 2017 American Flat Track (AFT) Twins series.

Piloting the new XG750R in its first racing action, Johnson battled on a tight-and-technical 0.6-mile TT course constructed in the infield of Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Starting from eighth place in the 25-lap main, Johnson charged through the field to miss a spot on the podium by just 0.516 second.

“The power and potential of the new XG750R was on display in Daytona tonight,” said Scott Beck, Harley-Davidson director of motorsports marketing. “The Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team responded to a big challenge, bringing an all-new racing motorcycle to an all-new track format.”

Johnson turned his night around after a 12th-place finish in the first heat race moved him to the last-chance qualifier heat, which he failed to finish after a mechanical issue. Johnson was able to regroup and use a provisional start to claim a spot on the back row of the semi-final heat, and finished fourth to advance to the main.

“Nobody knew what to expect from this new track. I think we were prepared but I struggled personally early in the evening,” said Johnson, a two-time AMA Grand National champion who is in his first full season racing for the Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team. “The Harley XG750R was strong all night but I hit the ground twice and the team had to scramble. We all rallied together. I’m really excited to be racing with this outstanding Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track crew behind me this season.”

The Daytona TT was the first outing of the season for the 2017 Harley-Davidson XG750R flat tracker, a competition motorcycle powered by a race-modified, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected Revolution X™ V-Twin engine originally engineered for the Harley-Davidson Street® 750. The XG750R flat tracker motorcycle is not a production model. The Revolution X V-Twin engine is for sale through Harley-Davidson dealers today and can be modified for racing use by aspiring dealers and privateers.

The Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Racing Team returns to action March 25 at the AFT Atlanta Short Track at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Georgia.

The Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Racing Team is proudly partnered with Vance & Hines Motorsports.

About Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Since 1903, Harley-Davidson Motor Company has fulfilled dreams of personal freedom with cruiser, touring and custom motorcycles, riding experiences and events, and a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise, riding gear and apparel. For more information, visit www.h-d.com.

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