Carr opens final season at Daytona

From Daytona International Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — After being held for the first time in event history on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway in 2010, the AMA Pro Racing Flat Track doubleheader returns to the “World Center of Racing” on Thursday and Friday, March 10-11.

The stars of Flat Track racing such as Henry Wiles, Sammy Halbert, Jake Johnson and Kenny Coolbeth will battle for a coveted Daytona victory on the quarter-mile dirt track located outside Turns 1 and 2.

In 2010, Halbert and Johnson made Daytona history by becoming the first riders to win Flat Track main events on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway. Halbert won the 25-lap Expert Main event on the first night of competition while Johnson took the checkered flag on the final night.

“Winning the first race at the new Daytona Flat Track was really special and one of the biggest moments in my career,” Halbert said. “It’s something you will never be able to do again, so I’m glad to get it done when I did. Now I’m looking forward to going back and trying to do it again this year, get on top of the box.”

The 2011 Daytona Flat Track will be an emotional one for seven-time AMA Grand National Champion and Motorcycle Hall of Famer Chris Carr, who will retire following the 2011 season.

The legendary Carr has the distinction of having raced the Daytona Flat Track at all three venues -- old Memorial Stadium, Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium and the current Daytona Flat Track.

“2011 will be my final season as a competitive flat tracker in Grand National racing,” Carr said. “I’ve raced at every short track they’ve had to offer at Daytona.

“We all know the importance of being down here during Daytona 200 Week because a lot of our industry is down here along with a good majority of the motorcycle media, so it’s always important to do well at Daytona. Everybody loves coming down here, where we usually enjoy chamber of commerce weather, simply because we’re a Midwest-populated sport. It’s always good to get out of winter and come down here for an early spring.”