Daytona 2020 Recap – A “What If” Season Opener for Vanilla Cycles Racing
The 2020 Daytona TT was supposed to mark a turning point for our team. This off-season, Kevin Anderson — the lead man behind Vanilla Cycles Racing — took a new approach designed to elevate our success. Instead of fielding our own independent program, we joined forces with Brad “The Bullet” Baker and his Bullet Strong Racing team.
This partnership gave us the best of both worlds: we became a main sponsor, continued running some of our own equipment, and still showcased international phenom Ferran Cardús. On top of that, we gained another talented rider, Jacob Lehman, while bringing in bigger sponsors and more resources. Heading into Daytona 2020, we were more prepared than ever and confident it would pay off on the track.
Volusia – The Warm-Up
The crew arrived early and headed to Volusia Speedway for the first race of the week. For Ferran, it was the first time back on the bike since leaving Spain.
The day provided much-needed practice laps, racing reps, and main event experience to dial in the Honda 450 before the American Flat Track season opener at Daytona International Speedway. While the results were mid-pack, the real win was that the bike setup was nearly where we wanted it.
Final Test – Speed, Confidence, and a Win
By Wednesday, it was time for the final test before the Daytona TT. The team knew this day had to build Ferran’s confidence and get the bike 100% race-ready.
The practice sessions showed promise, with Ferran clocking 2nd overall in quick time. Kevin made bold setup changes — and they paid off big. Ferran dominated the heat races, grabbed pole position, and lined up for the main event with confidence sky-high.
In the feature race, after a modest start, Ferran charged through the field. He battled fiercely with Mikey Rush in the middle laps before pulling away to claim 1st place. Everything clicked — the rider, the bike, and the team.
Daytona TT – Ready, but Denied
We entered Daytona with momentum. Ferran was locked in, Kevin had the bike dialed, and Brad Baker’s expertise had elevated our program. Jacob Lehman had his setup ready too. We were ready to fight for a podium at one of the biggest races of the year.
But then it all unraveled. First came the announcement: no fans would be allowed. Then rumors of restricted pit access. By Friday, the crushing news hit — the Daytona TT was cancelled.
From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, our dream opener ended before it began. Soon after, the series announced that the first 5–6 rounds were also cancelled, with the possibility of losing the entire season. The COVID-19 pandemic had officially changed everything.
Moving Forward – Gratitude and Hope
While the disappointment was real, we’re grateful for the momentum we built, the speed we found, and the incredible partners who support us.
Huge thank you to our sponsors — we’re committed to finding creative ways to bring them value until we can return to racing. For now, it’s about staying safe, staying ready, and keeping the fire lit for when the green flag waves again.
And yes, like many of you during lockdown, I binged Tiger King. Let’s just say Carole Baskins still has some explaining to do!
