Returning champion, Phoenix Racing Yamaha’s Joel Hetrick had all the attention as he worked the Daytona track securing the fastest lap time of the day. Hetrick’s history here has been built on success and on the agony of defeat as things spiraled out of control, however this season he left with nothing but success as he captured his heat win and would race unchallenged to take the victory in the main. Leaving Daytona with a dominating victory has many discussing his success will carry him to another number one plate at seasons end.

One rider that has his sights set squarely on taking back the championship is that of Wienen Motorsports/Maxxis/SSi Decals/Fly Racing/Yamaha’s Chad Wienen who also would claim his heat race win and would come up just short as he solidly took second in the main. Wienen looked great and showed explosive speed on a very rough track. His ability to out muscle Hetrick has been a strength, however he left Daytona once again in the shadow of Hetrick. This season’s points war is now underway, and the technician of many championship seasons will have to put together a very serious plan to strike down his number one competitor.

Ford Brothers Racing/FXR/SSi Decals/CST's Bryce Ford was already having a solid day and would find him upfront in second as the main got underway. Ford settled into third and put in an impressive ride, landing him on the podium with a well-earned third. Look for Ford to have several rounds where we could see him battling for a win as the young Texan is hungry to leave his mark this season.

Fourth place is where Rastrelli Racing/FXR/Rocket Machine Design’s Jeffrey Rastrelli was when the race ended, and he was hungry for more. Rastrelli has had his struggles that have set back his program but his will to win has never wavered. Leaving Daytona healthy and facing another Florida track at round two, look for Rastrelli to once again be on the hunt for the podium.

GennUSA Racing/Integrated Financial Concepts/CST Tires’ Nick Gennusa would round out the top five earning fifth and while he wanted more, he seemed satisfied with his efforts, especially after falling ill and suffering through the race. Gennusa should be yet another rider we see in the top five at every round this season.

Usually, the racers get a gap in the schedule after the opening round however a week and a half are all that separates the first two rounds forcing any racer on the mend to do so quickly. The first page in the 2023 season has been written but the story remains untold!

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