Irvine, Calif. - Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. announced today that Jamie Hacking will return for his third-consecutive season aboard a Kawasaki Ninja(r) motorcycle. The three-time AMA Champion will join Roger Hayden on the factory-backed Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki team, competing in the AMA Daytona SportBike class.
"We are very pleased to have Jamie back with our team," said Mike Preston, Kawasaki Road Racing Manager. "He's a proven champion in the 600 class. With his knowledge and experience on the Kawasaki, we expect him to be up on the podium every weekend."
Hacking is no stranger to the Daytona 200, finishing third in the prestigious race during his rookie season. Most recently, he finished runner-up to Hayden in the AMA Supersport class in 2007.
"I'm looking forward to ride the Daytona 200 again," said Hacking. "It seems I've finished in every other position but on top. I definitely want to go after a win. The Attack team has a great reputation at this race so it makes me feel confident. I've heard great reviews about the new ZX(tm)-6R and I'm ready to go out and ride it."
Hayden will be making his Daytona 200 debut aboard the all-new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. The 2007 AMA Supersport Champion has demonstrated his abilities at the historic Daytona International Speedway, winning the AMA Supersport race back-to-back in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, he earned a podium finish despite riding with an injured hand.
"Daytona has been good to me over the years in the 600 class," said Hayden. "Its going to be challenging riding the Daytona 200, but it's definitely going to be fun. Now that I'm all healed from my injuries last year, I really want to go after my second championship in 2009 and the ZX-6R is really going to be the bike to beat."
With three 600cc championships between Hayden and Hacking, both riders are extremely capable and hungry to capture another title.