KAYLA YAAKOV Eyes Historic Win While ELLA DREHER Sets Age Record at Daytona 200

March 3, 2026

• KAYLA YAAKOV enters the 84th DAYTONA 200 as a legitimate contender to become the first-ever female winner of the prestigious race. The 18-year-old phenom rides for powerhouse Rahal Ducati Moto alongside Josh Herrin, who’s chasing his fourth consecutive victory. With a record $250,000 purse on the line and $50,000 to the winner, YAAKOV has both the machinery and team support to rewrite history books that have never featured a woman’s name at the top.
• ELLA DREHER makes her own slice of history at just 16 years and 9 days old, becoming the youngest competitor ever to race in the DAYTONA 200. The MP13 Racing rider will pilot an MV Agusta F3 RR in the Supersport field, facing a grueling 57-lap, 200-mile test that has challenged racing legends for 84 years. Her debut comes during MotoAmerica’s celebration of 50 years of Superbike racing, adding another milestone to an already historic weekend.
• Both women enter a significantly more challenging DAYTONA 200 format, with decreased fuel capacity forcing a strategic third pit stop and heightened pressure on crew execution. The international field of 49 elite riders from seven nations creates the deepest competition in years, making any breakthrough performance even more impressive. YAAKOV’s championship-winning Rahal Ducati team provides serious title credentials, while DREHER’s age record establishes her as a name to watch long-term in the sport’s development.

daytona international speedway, ducati, motoamerica, supersport championship