Soup is reporting that Miguel Duhamel is not expected to race in this year’s Daytona 200. Miguel’s name, like Scott Russell, is almost synonymous with America’s Grand Old Race. His comeback victory in the 1999 Daytona 200, all while having to use a walking cane to get to his bike, is considered by many experts to be the greatest AMA Superbike race ever. He nipped rival Mat Mladin at the line in that race and had to be helped off the bike as he rolled into the victory lane. Miguel displayed amazing determination and grit.

The record shows in 1991 Miguel won the first Daytona 200 he raced. While that’s true a footnote should be added that Miguel was entered for the 1990 race on a Yoshimura Suzuki, but crashed before the race that year and was forced to sit out.

The 200 certainly will not be the same without Miguel. For nearly 20 years he was always a safe bet to take when making pre-race predictions.

Miguel Duhamel racing the Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike in practice at Daytona in 1990. A crash before Sunday’s 200 meant Duhamel would have to wait one more year to make his debut in the race. It was worth the wait. He came in as a last-minute replacement for an injured Randy Renfrow and won the race in his first attempt in 1991. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Miguel Duhamel practicing for the 2009 Daytona 200 again on a Suzuki, this time with Picotte Racing. With Miguel not on the entry list for 2010 it appears race fans witnessed the end of an era in last year’s race with Miguel’s final appearance. (Larry Lawrence photo)