American Honda’s Jake Zemke claimed the first Daytona 200 victory of his career this year following a wild 68-lap Formula Xtreme contest. The Californian’s fortunes rose and fell at a dizzying pace during the grueling event, but he ultimately pulled through in the end to grab the checkered flag in the biggest road race on American soil. By winning the Daytona 200, Zemke has added his name to the history books and will join the pantheon of legendary riders who have won the most legendary race in motorcycling.
     Riding for American Honda in 2006, Zemke now focuses his efforts on the AMA Superbike Series where he has been a contender for several years and is widely considered to be a future Superbike Champion. Jake seems to always have a smile on his face and genuinely loves to ride and race motorcycles. We had a chance to talk with Jake to find out his thoughts on the Daytona 200, the Superbike series, training, Rolex watches, MotoGPs and Parts Unlimited.

Jake Zemke’s career path has been similar to many of the great motorcycle riders of the past. He started in Dirt Track racing, proceeded into roadracing in one of the “feeder” classes until finally landing a factory ride. In March he showed how deserving he was when he delivered to Honda the sought-after Daytona 200 victory. Photo courtesy of American Honda.

     PM: What’s it like to win the Daytona 200?
JZ: It was really special. I grew up racing Dirt Track and reading Cycle News every week and Daytona was always a big deal to me as a kid. The history of the Daytona 200 is amazing; there are so many awesome riders who have won that one race. It’s a humbling situation to be in, as far a single race event its one of the biggest in the world. It’s insane that it’s just one race and the international press comes from all over the world to cover it like it’s a MotoGP. The Daytona 200 is the biggest race we have in the US. Winning the Daytona 200 is like winning a National Championship. It puts you in the history books forever, Jake Zemke-winner of the 2006 Daytona 200. It’s awesome.

     PM: You had a really good weekend at Daytona. Didn’t you almost take the pole and the Rolex?
JZ: The closest I’ve ever come to the Rolex pole was last year. I lost out on the pole last year by a 1/1,000 of a second. So I don’t have the Rolex yet. But, I’d rather win the race than win qualifying. I’ll go out and buy my own Rolex after winning the race.

     PM: How important is the team effort in a race like Daytona?
JZ: The team is huge. It’s the only race with scheduled pit stops. Fans should understand that it’s really hard to gain a second or two on the track but you can gain or lose several seconds in the pits, so your team is critical to winning. Plus prep for the event is different from any other race. Your bike has to be fast and able to run up front, but still last 200 miles. The guys in the shop put in the long hours and they are the men who really win the race.

     PM: Unlike some others forms of professional motorcycle racing, road racers sometimes race 2-3 classes over a weekend. Do you have a favorite?
JZ: Luckily for me, the Daytona 200 is the only event all year where I’ll ride two classes, but from here on out I’m focused on Superbike. Racing different classes can be fun, but it also can diffuse your focus. When you go testing for two classes, you’re splitting your time in half. So you’re limiting your prep and bike time for each class and that puts you at a disadvantage. So, this year we’re concentrating on Superbike. We’re going after Mat (Mladin).


What every American roadracer dreams of: Standing in Victory Lane at Daytona with the biggest trophy…and the biggest smile! Jake’s dream came true last March. Kinney Jones photo.


Jake looked fast and smooth en route to his first-ever Daytona 200 victory. Kinney Jones photo.

     PM: Mladin’s owned the Superbike title for the longest streak in history. What’s it going to take to win the AMA Superbike Championship?
JZ: Well, we’ve got to get the motorcycle up to where we can race in the front week in and week out. Honda has its own development program in the US focused on making our Superbike the best in the AMA. We’ve had five races and Honda has been on the podium every race. We have room to improve and until we do that, we won’t be in the hunt. We have to be in there, on the podium, on a bad weekend and win on a good weekend. That is what it will take to win the title.

     PM: Roadracing has gotten extremely physical. How do you train for the rigors of Superbike racing?
JZ: Without giving too much away, mostly my training is cardio. I don’t have to lift weights, I’m naturally pretty strong. And I spend a lot of time riding motorcycles. There’s no substitute for seat time. Race bikes, dirt bikes, street bikes, motocross, I like to spend my time on a motorcycle if I can. The best training is to ride. There is nothing you can do off of a motorcycle that will mimic what you can do on a motorcycle.

     PM: What does the future hold for Jake Zemke?
JZ: We’ll keep plugging away for a Superbike title. My number one goal is the championship. This year is off to a tough start, I had a DNF already this season, and at the Daytona Superbike event I had an eighth. So it’s been a bad start. But, every other race I’ve been on the podium.

     PM: Do you want to go to Europe and take on the MotoGPs someday?
JZ: It’s something that if the right opportunity came along I’d be into it. The reality is there are four Americans over there now and they’ve got the sponsorship money for Americans pretty locked up. Currently all the big money is behind the Italians and Spaniards. Going to the MotoGPs and running up front takes a lot of big dollars for the team, the bike, the crew, for the package to be successful. It’s not worth going unless you’ve got the money behind you. I’d rather stay here and win races than ride around mid-pack and just be part of the show.

     PM: You’re one of those guys who always seem to have a smile on his face. I can’t think of a photo or interview with you where you aren’t smiling. Yet you approach your job with intelligence and drive. Are you just a happy guy or do you like racing that much?
JZ: I really like what I’m doing. I grew up racing and I’ve worked regular jobs before. I’m fortunate to be able to race and get paid to do it. There are a lot worse things that I could be doing then getting paid to race motorcycles. Roadracing is an intelligent sport, it takes planning, testing, focus, training, and tactics. Maybe I would have been better off going to college but something inside of me told me to go race motorcycles. And I guess I smile because I’m having such a good time doing it.

     PM: Is there anything you’d like to say or a question you’d like to answer that you always wished you’d be asked?
JZ: I’d like to thank the dealers who are the real foundation for racing and encourage them to continue doing business with Jeff Fox and Parts Unlimited. He really gives back to the industry. One of the great things about Jeff is that he gives back to the sport and wants to get as many people involved as possible. This is a whole lot of fun and hopefully we can get more and more people riding motorcycles.

For 2006 Jake is riding the Honda Superbike #98. Jake lives in Paso Robles, California, is married and the proud father of three step sons. He and his wife are looking forward to a baby girl on the way in July.


Yes, racing is a team effort. Jake Zemke enjoys the precision of the American Honda roadrace crew as he pits during the 2006 Daytona 200. Kinney Jones photo.