Armed with the Indian Scout FTR750, America’s First Motorcycle Company Makes Triumphant Return to Flat Track Racing Taking 1st and 2nd Place Podium Positions
DAYTONA BEACH, FL. (March 17) – After a 63-year hiatus, Indian Motorcycle returned to flat track racing in grand fashion, as Jared Mees outclassed the field to take top honors at the Daytona TT American Flat Track season opener. Mees’ dominating performance was complimented by a 2nd place finish from Indian factory rider and 2016 Grand National Champion Bryan Smith.
All eyes were on Indian heading into the season opener after assembling a team featuring three of the sport’s most decorated riders and armed with Indian’s state-of-the-art Scout FTR750. The season-opening victory brought dramatic validation to Indian’s bold re-entry into the sport it had once dominated, reigniting the Indian Motorcycle vs. Harley-Davidson rivalry that had carried the sport throughout its glory days.
“Carrying the torch for the return of one of motorcycle racing’s most iconic and historic brands, makes this victory truly special for me,” said Mees. “We knew we had a special bike this year that would give us a real shot at every race this season, and to start off on top is huge. But this victory isn’t mine alone. The entire team was critical to this victory, and I couldn’t be more optimistic about our prospects for the remainder of the season.”
Piloting Indian’s new state-of-the-art Scout FTR 750, Mees finished first and third in the evening’s first two heats. The main event began with Mees taking lead in lap 1 heading into the first turn, and the three-time Grand National Champion never looked back. Meanwhile, Smith ran the majority of the main event in the fifth position before catapulting from fifth to 2nd over the final five laps, joining Mees on the podium. After such an impressive showing by the new Indian ‘Wrecking Crew’ in Daytona, it’s clear that Indian Motorcycle Racing will be a force to be reckoned with in 2017.
“With such a storied history of success in flat track racing, it was imperative that Indian bring every possible resource to bear to be successful, and to be atop the podium in Daytona is the ultimate validation for us,” said Gary Gray, Product Director for Indian Motorcycle. “This season is more a marathon than a sprint, and this is merely the beginning. While we’re proud to get off to such a great start, our eyes are fixed on a championship.”
Indian Motorcycle Racing, backed by Allstate Insurance, will look to stay on top as American Flat Track heads to the Atlanta Short Track on March 25.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
About Polaris
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is a global powersports leader that has been fueling the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts for more than 60 years. With annual 2016 sales of $4.5 billion, Polaris’ innovative, high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; the Sportsman® and Polaris ACE® all-terrain off-road vehicles; Indian Motorcycle® midsize and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK®, INDY®, Switchback®and RUSH® snowmobiles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories, along with a growing aftermarket portfolio, including Transamerican Auto Parts. Polaris’ presence in adjacent markets globally include military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electricvehicles. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. Visit www.polaris.com for more information.
How long before you drop Indian ?