The History of Indian® Motorcycles racing at Daytona Beach, Florida

Did you know??

Ed Kretz & Indian® Scout Motorcycles ruled the beach at Daytona starting in 1937!

The ride that Ed Kretz will forever be remembered for was his victory in the inaugural Daytona 200 in 1937. Even in its first year, the Daytona Beach race was one of the most important races on the calendar. It would go on to become the single most important motorcycle race in America, and Kretz's win at the very first Daytona 200 race earned him & Indian Motorcycle® a significant place in the history of the sport.

Kretz was the favorite at many Daytona 200 races in the years to follow, but he was never able to win the race again despite often leading. In 14 other races at Daytona, Kretz had nothing but tough luck, primarily mechanical failures with his Indians and later Triumphs. Kretz continued to race in the 200 until he was 47 years old in 1959. For years he held the record for running the most miles in the 200. (AMA Motorcycle Museum)

See the Ed Kretz documentary film at Ed Kretz Film.

There are few things that stir a motorcyclist soul more than stories like this. With the opening of the world's largest Indian Motorcycle® dealership right in the heart of Daytona Beach, there will be many more great stories to tell. Indian Motorcycle® of Daytona Beach is located at 290 N. Beach St. Daytona Beach Florida 32114.

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    "Kretz would not stand for anything other than total victory and anything other than that was a failure. When you look at it that way, that's when you get very successful" - David Hansen on Ed Kretz, in Why We Ride

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    Ted Edwards and his son race the shores of Daytona Beach.

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