KAYLA YAAKOV Makes History as First Woman on DAYTONA 200 Podium at Age 19

March 8, 2026

• KAYLA YAAKOV made motorsports history at age 19, becoming the first woman ever to achieve a podium finish in the 84th running of the DAYTONA 200. Her third-place result came after a strategic late-race battle with fourth-place finisher Darryn Binder, where she made the crucial pass to secure her historic position. The achievement caps off what YAAKOV describes as serious off-season investment in herself, putting her “in the best mindset, the best condition I’ve ever been in.”
• The breakthrough performance wasn’t just about making history – YAAKOV showed the racecraft and composure of a seasoned competitor. She stayed calm throughout the 57-lap race, knowing her bike’s strengths and positioning herself strategically. Her confidence in the final battle with Binder was telling: “I knew that if I was behind (Darryn) Binder, I would come across the line in front of him.” That’s the kind of self-assured racing we love to see from athletes who know they belong.
• While Josh Herrin claimed his fourth consecutive DAYTONA 200 victory and Tyler Scott took second after starting from pole, YAAKOV’s podium finish represents a watershed moment for women in motorcycle racing. Her achievement comes at a time when female representation in elite motorcycle competition remains frustratingly limited, making this breakthrough all the more significant for the sport’s future direction.

daytona 200, ducati, motoamerica, motorcycle racing