Jake Zemke is one of the most accomplished riders in AMA national road racing over the last dozen or so years, yet he reportedly sits at home in California without a ride for 2011. It’s amazing to think about the rider who swept both Daytona Superbike races just last March is still waiting for the phone to ring.

In addition to his recent accomplishments, the victory Zemke is likely to be most remembered for is his win in the 2006 Daytona 200. This is from that race, another of the excellent Brian J. Nelson photographs, originally shot for the AMA to distribute to the AP wire service. This shot of Zemke ran in dozens of newspapers across the country the next day.

Jake Zemke (No. 98) laps David McPherson (No. 594) en route to winning the 2006 Daytona 200 by Honda at Daytona International Speedway. Zemke, of Paso Robles, Calif., earned his first victory in the prestigious motorcycle road race in only his third appearance. (Brian J. Nelson photo)