The first major race of 2009 Daytona 200 Bike Week took place today, Thursday, March 2009, on the 2.90-mile roadcourse of Daytona International Speedway. Dubbed the SuperSport classification, Erion Racing Honda rider Tyler Odom was the first rider to flash across the finish line painted on the 18-degree banking of the front Trioval. Odom, of Vacaville, California, won the race by an eye blink .310 Second margin over Joey Pascarella and his Yamaha R6. Third, just .003 behind Pascarella, was the Suzuki GSX-R600 of James Wikle.

As part of the new era and new vision that is AMA Pro Road Racing in 2009, the SuperSport division now mandates that riders be aged between 16 and 21 years and compete on 600cc sport bikes such as the Suzuki GSX-R600, Yamaha YZF-R6, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R and Honda CBR600RR. The variables weighed heavily this afternoon in Florida as the ultra-competitive SuperSport class created one hell of an enthralling race.

Odom was not among the front -runners when the pack of high-revving 600cc machines screamed off the grid to star the race. In fact, the Californian was far outside the top five and was forced to cut and thrust his way toward the front of the field, finally catching the fleeing duo of leaders Joey Pascarella and James Wikle with just two laps remaining. All keen to win, the three went at it fiercely, with Odom barely winning out in the end.

"I had to just make some aggressive passes in the infield," said the winner after the race was run.

Fourth in the inaugural SuperSport race of 2009 was Kyle Wyman of New York, he and his Yamaha R6 nearly 14 seconds adrift of the flying power trio. Matthew Sadowski — offspring of former Daytona 200 winner Dave Sadowski — took fifth after a spirited brawl with Christopher Clark and Clint Shobert. (Recognize that surname? You should. His father, Bubba, was a former AMA Grand National Champion). Completing the top 10 were Ryan Clay, Reese Wacker and Kyle Keesee.

Daytona SuperSport Results:

1. Tyler Odom (Honda)
2. Joey Pascarella (Yamaha)
3. James Wikle (Suzuki)
4. Kyle Wyman (Yamaha)
5. Matthew Sadowski (Yamaha)
6. Christopher Clark (Yamaha)
7. Clint Shobert (Honda)
8. Ryan Clay (Yamaha)
9. Reese Wacker (Suzuki)
10. Kyle Keesee (Yamaha)

Eric Johnson