Daytona Supersport’s Perfect Formation

• Larry Lawrence

James Pennington leads a group of riders who appear to be auditioning for motorcycling’s version of the Blue Angels. The riders form a perfect formation as they race through the second horseshoe during the 1989 Daytona 600 Supersport race. Pennington, who hailed from West Palm Beach, finished 27th out of the 80 starters. He was perhaps best known for going wheel to wheel with Kevin Schwantz at the first CCS Race of Champions in November of 1984. Pennington, Schwantz and Jay Parnell were having a knock-down, drag-out race in the Middleweight Superbike final. All three were trading the lead when late in the race Pennington and Parnell collided in turn one. Somehow neither rider hit the deck, but the run-in allowed Schwantz to open up a gap and win the race. Parnell took second and Pennington third.

James Pennington leads a group of riders who appear to be auditioning for motorcycling’s version of the Blue Angels. The riders form a perfect formation as they race through the second horseshoe during the 1989 Daytona 600 Supersport race. (Larry Lawrence photo)

James Pennington leads a group of riders who appear to be auditioning for motorcycling’s version of the Blue Angels. The riders form a perfect formation as they race through the second horseshoe during the 1989 Daytona 600 Supersport race. (Larry Lawrence photo)

5 thoughts on “Daytona Supersport’s Perfect Formation”

  2. Thanks Larry, How have yo been? It’s been a long time. the 87 Daytona 200 is when I started from the last row in 80th. The result of 27th is correct. This race I don’t remember my position. I had a chain fail during qualifying. I think I was 15th or 16th. Maybe 18th. Great shot regardless. It is awesome to see a pic of this race I was having a blast as always. I had so much fun on the 600 Yamaha.

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  3. Jim,

    Good to hear from you. Hope all is well. I cheat because I have the official results. Yeah, in ’87 you finished 32nd in the 200, just behind Deiter Lane and just ahead of Kathleen Coburn. In this race it was 27th. Funny enough you took 26th in the 750 Supersport race, I’m guessing on this same Yamaha, right?

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  4. That is correct. You did cheat, I was trying to go by memory. Thanks for the correction. That means I was laying it down to get that far up in such a short race. Thanks,Larry.

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  5. Larry,
    I was on the 600 in that race as well. I was going by memory. It appears it served me wrong. Thanks for the photo, it brings back great memories. All is well I am in Moab, Check my FB page.

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