Kayla Yaakov has made history as the first woman to secure a podium finish in the prestigious Daytona 200 motorcycle race at Daytona Speedway. Riding for the Rahal Ducati Moto team, her achievement highlights her skill and the growing prominence of women in professional motorcycle racing.
Yaakov competed on a Ducati motorcycle for the Rahal Ducati Moto team, which is co-owned by Graham Rahal, a three-time IndyCar race winner. The team is managed by Ben Spies, a former World Superbike Champion and MotoGP race winner. This strong leadership and experienced mentorship have provided Yaakov with a solid foundation throughout the season.
Her teammate, PJ Jacobsen, an ex-BSB and World Supersport competitor, unfortunately did not complete the race, whereas Yaakov secured third place. She overtook Darryn Binder, a former MotoGP rider and Moto3 race winner from South Africa, who is in his first MotoAmerica season, during the event’s final stages.
The Building of a Competitive Team at Daytona
The Rahal Ducati team launched its MotoAmerica campaign in 2024 as a partnership between Rahal and Spies. Prior to this, Spies had been familiar with Yaakov’s potential and was eager to have her as part of the team from the start. His confidence in her abilities was evident well before her historic performance.
Spies described his early impressions of Yaakov, saying,
“In 2018 I saw a video of Kayla Yaakov training on her bike in their driveway and my daughter started watching it over and over,”
highlighting how her talent was clear even at a young age.
He continued,
“I could see she had a huge talent and I told [Yaakov’s dad, David] that he can message me anytime he had a question on development and her path. I would get a message a few times a year on which bikes and how he should look at her path long term. He had a great plan but also listened to my feedback and the timeline she should be on certain bikes.”
Guidance and Support Leading to Success
As Yaakov turned 16 and began her professional career, Spies increasingly provided direct advice to help her progress. He recalled,
“When she turned 16 and became a professional I started speaking with her directly and gave small tips on weekend preps from hydration to meals and thinking more big picture.”
This mentorship helped Yaakov develop the mindset necessary for high-level competition.
In mid-2023, the Rahal Ducati team began formally assembling for MotoAmerica, with Graham Rahal reaching out to Spies to build the roster. Spies immediately recommended Yaakov, saying,
“Kayla was the first person I said.”
Rahal agreed without hesitation, setting the stage for her to join the team:
“Without hesitation he said 100 percent, I love it. I called David and told him something big was in the works and if it goes Kayla has a spot.”
A Historic Moment and Its Impact on Racing
Looking ahead to 2026, Spies expressed hope and pride in Yaakov’s continued rise:
“Fast forward to 2026 and she’s the first female to be on the Daytona 200 podium and sitting 3rd in points to start the season. Being a dad of two daughters makes our relationship naturally closer for me and I’m so happy for everything she’s accomplished so far.”
He emphasized her ambition with the words,
“She wants to be the best out there, not just the fastest woman,”
underscoring her competitive spirit and determination to excel in the sport.
Spies also praised her attitude, stating,
“She has the killer mindset you cannot teach which makes things easy from a mentor standpoint. I’m just so proud of her.”
This unique mental strength appears key to her groundbreaking achievements on the track.
Yaakov’s accomplishment marks a significant milestone in motorcycle racing, demonstrating the increasing participation and success of women in high-stakes motorsports. Her podium finish at Daytona has the potential to inspire greater diversity in racing and draw more attention to female riders in elite competitions.
