Daytona 200’s First Female Podium: Kayla Yaakov Rewrites 84 Years of History

There is exactly one racer I follow on myMotogirl Korea Instagram. Kayla Yaakov. Curly blonde hair, a face that looks almost too young to be doing any of this — and then she puts her helmet on, and she becomes a completely different person. The first time I saw her on my feed — the way she attacks a corner, the look in her eyes going into a race — I followed her without a second thought.

On March 7, 2026, I got confirmation that instinct was right. The first female podium in 84 years of Daytona 200. The night before International Women’s Day. No press release could have said it louder.

Kayla Yaakov, 18. The first woman to stand on the Daytona 200 podium in the race’s entire history. — Motorcycle & Powersports News

Courtesy: Cycle World

She’s Been Racing Since She Was Three

This wasn’t an accident. Kayla’s father David put her on a kart at age three — though she wasn’t immediately drawn to the speed of it. The turning point, as the story goes, was a magazine. She saw a photo of her father racing in Formula USA and made her decision on the spot.

Father David Yaakov and daughter Kayla Yaakov in her childhood (Courtesy: Kayla Yaakov Instagram)

“That’s what I want to do: roadracing.”

She entered her first miniGP at age seven, and the rest followed from there.

Ben Spies — 2009 World Superbike Champion and MotoGP race winner — spotted her potential early. For years he stayed in contact with Kayla’s father, offering guidance on everything from training bike selection to long-term career planning.

2009 MotoGP winner Ben Spies (Courtesy: Yamaha Motor)

Paolo Ciabatti, former Sporting Director at Ducati Corse, was another figure who supported her development along the way.

Courtesy: Ducati Moto

Reading about Kayla’s development reminded me of my own mentors at Redblitz Racing Team (formerly Team Honda Racing Daegu) — Director Hwang, Coach Lee, and the senior riders. When I joined in spring 2025, I’d only ridden on public roads. Racing knowledge? Practically zero. They taught me everything from fundamental theory to racing lines with remarkable patience. Without them, I wouldn’t be racing today.

Redblitz Mr. Hwang & Mr. Lee — Photo by @koreabikerz

Kayla’s story confirms what I’ve experienced: talent alone isn’t enough. Growth requires unwavering personal determination paired with people who believe in you enough to steady that determination when it wavers.

The Overtake That Changed 84 Years of History

The Daytona 200 isn’t just a race. Running since 1937, it’s one of the most prestigious motorcycle races in the United States — high-speed banking combined with technical infield sections that demand courage, precision, and endurance in equal measure.

Courtesy: Daytona 200

In 84 editions, not a single woman had stood on that podium.

Kayla rode the Panigale V2 for Rahal Ducati Moto and stayed in the lead group through the final laps. Then, in the decisive moment, she made a clean pass on former MotoGP rider Darryn Binder to lock in third place. The margin at the finish: 0.166 seconds.

“I knew with about seven laps to go that I was in the fight for the podium. I had a clear strategy in mind: I just stayed calm because I really knew it was something I could do. My first thought? I felt like I earned it, and it’s a good start to our season.”

Courtesy: Cycle World

When she climbed onto the podium, what she saw in the crowd was the faces of women and girls looking back at her.

The line from her interview that stayed with me:

“I’m a racer. You can ride any bike, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman.”

This quote from Kayla’s interview hit me hardest.

It brought back my first KMRF minimoto race. Qualifying 22nd out of 23 riders. Being the only woman competing. But continuing anyway. Because as Kayla said — gender doesn’t matter in racing.

Motogirl at KMRF Minimoto Festival & KSEF Racing

She used to think every mistake would be amplified ten times more than a male rider’s mistake. Felt constant pressure to prove herself. But she’s stopped thinking that way now.

Because she’s already proven herself to the entire world.

Courtesy: Cycle World

The Red Ducati Connection

Kayla’s path to the Panigale V2 started with directness. She approached Paolo Ciabatti at Laguna Seca and simply told him: “I want to ride your bikes.” Paolo agreed without hesitation. That led to competing in the Italian CIV Championship and eventually the Panigale V2.

Courtesy: Cycle World

I understand that peculiar sensation every time I swing a leg over my Ducati Monster 937. Something shifts before you even turn the key. I can’t know exactly what Kayla felt climbing onto that red Panigale for the first time — but I think I understand a little.

Killer Instinct

Ben Spies said it best: “She wants to be the best. Not just the fastest woman. She has that instinctive killer mindset I can’t teach.”

Courtesy: Cycle World

What Comes Next

Kayla’s next race is April 17–19 at Road Atlanta. She’s already written history at Daytona. Now comes the work of continuing that story.

Where will 18-year-old Kayla Yaakov go from here? I’m already anticipating the next chapter.

Courtesy: Cycle World

Originally published in Korean on Motogirl Korea.