Number 38 Bradley Smith takes the bank at Daytona International Speedway at full speed during a King of the Baggers race

BACK ON THE BANKS: KING OF THE BAGGERS AND SUPER HOOLIGANS SEASON OPENER AT DAYTONA

Words by H-D Staff and Images by Josh Kurpius
Published March 10, 2026

Each year, thousands make the pilgrimage to Daytona Beach, Florida to experience the one-and-only Daytona Beach Bike Week. A select portion of this migratory group are made up those crazy enough to brave the high banks of Daytona International Speedway at 180+ mph, and those that support them. The racing season opener attracts all kinds of enthusiasts from sportbike lovers, to grassroots garage-building racers, to bagger riders that come out to see Kyle Wyman, Bradley Smith, and James Rispoli duke it out.

This year, the paddock was intense. In fairness, Daytona always brings its own special flavor of racing fervor that brings out the nerves, fierceness, and whole-hearted devotion to speed that ensures the season starts off with a bang. This is one of the fastest tracks motorcycles race on in the world, so special attention and kudos must be paid to the crews that keep each motorcycle running in peak condition, ensuring not only the safety, but the unbelievable performance we get to witness each time a racer goes out on the track.

The Harley-Davidson Race Team preps Kyle Wyman for a race on the starting grid at Daytona International Speedway
Kyle Wyman leads James Rispoli through a turn during a King of the Baggers race
James Rispoli seen from the side moving at high speed during a King of the Baggers race
Kyle Wyman leans sharply through an S curve, with another rider approaching in the distant background
Bradley Smith signs the back of a child’s t-shirt at an event booth, with a crowd gathered behind them
Bradley Smith’s motorcycle sits on paddock stands while being worked on by the Harley-Davidson Race Team crew

THE RACING SEASON OPENER ATTRACTS ALL KINDS OF ENTHUSIASTS FROM SPORTBIKE LOVERS, TO GRASSROOTS GARAGE-BUILDING RACERS, TO BAGGER RIDERS THAT COME OUT TO SEE KYLE WYMAN, BRADLEY SMITH, AND JAMES RISPOLI DUKE IT OUT.

That intensity showed up in a lot of different ways in the series Harley-Davidson motorcycles were competing in last weekend. The King of the Baggers produced some incredible dogfights between the H-D x DynoJet Factory Team riders and the competition, ultimately resulting in two third-place finishes for reigning champ Kyle Wyman. Still points paying, still setting us up to have a real fight to retain the #1 plate at the end of the season. After all, Wyman is now tied for second in the points chase coming out of the weekend. Meanwhile, the Saddlemen Race Development team couldn’t help but sweep the Roland Sands Super Hooligan race podiums, showing H-D® dominance on the track in some of the most exciting racing seen all weekend.

Three Harley-Davidson Super Hooligan motorcycles cross the finish line as an official waves the checkered flag

The Super Hooligan series has seen a rise in grassroots participation over the last several years, with the intention of the program being to encourage competitive racing from multiple manufacturers while keeping it accessible for privateers and grassroots racers. The re-set rulebook for the 2026 season is guaranteeing competitiveness, and boy, is it creating some fun racing to watch. Several manufacturers had motorcycles in the top five positions at various points during each of the two Super Hooligan races at Daytona. Harley-Davidson® came out on top with the Pan America platform, with defending champ James Rispoli claiming the first win of the season for the Big Diehl x H-D Racing team. H-D even had success with team Saddlemen’s Travis Wyman finishing fourth place in Race One on his race-built FXR. It was a complete podium lock-out and then some! Race Two was another lock-out with Jake Lewis topping the box, followed by Cory West with his second number two finish of the weekend, and James Rispoli rounding out third place.

Harley-Davidson Super Hooligan riders stand in first, second, and third place on the podium
James Rispoli leans through a corner during a Super Hooligan race at Daytona International Speedway
Jake Lewis leans through an S curve during a Super Hooligan race at Daytona International Speedway
Travis Wyman exits a curve during a Super Hooligan race at Daytona International Speedway
Corey West sits on his Super Hooligan motorcycle in pit lane before a race begins
Corey West leans through a corner during a Super Hooligan race at Daytona International Speedway

We are sure to have some thrills on the track this year – keep up all season long by following along here on H-D Stories, and watch all the King of the Baggers and Super Hooligan races live by signing up for MotoAmerica Live+. See you at the track.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON RACING 

Racing has always been Harley-Davidson's proving ground. From the cinder tracks of the early 1900’s to today’s King of the Baggers™, Super Hooligan®, and Progressive® American Flat Track™, our bikes have carried the fight.

kyle-wyman-wheelie-shd

EXPLORE THE PERFORMANCE LINEUP

All Models

SHOP PERFORMANCE PARTS & ACCESSORIES

EXPLORE MORE RACING

All Racing
The author films a motorcycle speeding across the finish line on a desert racetrack from above

KING OF THE BAGGERS: DESERT THUNDER AT PODIUM CLUB

A surprise day at a remote Arizona track delivered an up-close look at Harley-Davidson’s King of the Baggers race bikes, the tech behind them, and the riders pushing them to the edge.

Briar Bauman carries a checkered flag as he circles a dirt track after winning a race

BRIAR BAUMAN – FATHER – FIGHTER – CHAMPION

He balances the raw spirit and energy of an old school racer with the athleticism and acute intelligence of the modern competitor. It’s a sight to see, and when he’s on, it’s on.

Harley-Davidson Factory Racing crew works on motorcycles inside a busy paddock garage lined with tools and equipment.

THE CREW BEHIND THE KINGS: INSIDE HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RACING

This Q&A highlights the dedicated crew behind Harley-Davidson Factory Racing, revealing the people, work, and nonstop commitment that fuel every victory.

kyle-wyman-bradley-smith-james-rispoli-all-lean-through-corner-ls

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RACING CLOSES OUT A MONSTER 2025 

Wyman crowned King, Rispoli the Hooligan champ, two Manufacturer titles stacked on top. Harley’s 2025 season of dominance is complete.

Kyle Wyman surrounded by the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing team celebrates victory on the podium at Circuit of the Americas.

KYLE WYMAN LOCKS DOWN 2025 KING OF THE BAGGERS TITLE

The H-D Factory Racing performance throughout the season was dominant, resulting in securing the championship well before the end of the season.

James Rispoli celebrates with his Harley-Davidson team on the podium.

RISPOLI STUNS, TAKES SUPER HOOLIGAN CROWN ON H-D PAN AMERICA ST

Solid performances throughout the weekend translated into the points required to leapfrog both rivals in the final tally, securing his first Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.

HDBWC_1600x1143

HARLEY-DAVIDSON BAGGER RACING GOES GLOBAL IN 2026

Welcome to Harley-Davidson BaggerGP.  

Bradley Smith races on the track on his HD Bagger

PUSH THE LIMIT SEASON 3

See the action from the track to the paddock in Harley-Davidson’s series following our King of the Baggers and Super Hooligan series contenders.

A closeup of Bradley Smith riding his bright orange bagger around a curve on the track.

HARD RACING, HEAVY WEATHER, AND HIGH STAKES AT ROAD ATLANTA

Relive the weekend’s top moments from the race track with H-D Staff Photographer Josh Kurpius’ photos from the track and in the paddock.

Bradley Smith gets low in a corner on his number thirty-eight motorcycle

OUR TOP 10 FROM DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

The top 10 photos from the track where H-D riders executed a clean sweep.

Kyle Wyman rides sideways on a dirt flat track

KYLE WYMAN XR750 AT ELKHORN

Kyle Wyman takes his old XR750 out of hibernation and onto the track.

Bradley Smith stands before his number, 38

INSIDE THE MIND OF A RACER: BRADLEY SMITH

We had the chance to sit down with Bradley to talk about life on the track.

Kyle Wyman stands before his number, 33

KYLE WYMAN'S RACE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Kyle Wyman’s journey from local tracks to the professional circuit.

Cory West on his H-D Pan America Super Hooligan Championship bike

GET TO KNOW SUPER HOOLIGAN CHAMP CORY WEST

The reigning champion seeks another #1 plate on his H-D Pan America ST.

James Rispoli stands before his name on a screen in his racing leathers

JAMES RISPOLI IS RUNNING THE RACES

Big Dreams and a Sweet Ride (or Two).