Team manager Tom Bodenbach echoes the sentiments. "We feel we have improved over the winter and anxious to see if this is the case. We believe we can make a good run at the championship in 2006 against a very tough field. I think Neil and Ben are in good shape and ready to go. Both are legitimate contenders for the championship, in our eyes, and the team is working well together."

Final qualifying is Thursday afternoon, and the 70-kilometer Superbike race will be held Saturday at 11:15 EST.

The Circuit: The 2.95 mile (4.7 kilometers) Daytona International Raceway circuit is located on the eastern coast of Florida. The track called "The World Center of Racing" has been hosting motorcycle events since the 1960s after the historic race moved from a combination road/beach course located a few miles away. Known for the high-speed drafting battles, the banked turns of the Speedway (which reach 31 degrees) have seen many exciting Superbike races over the years. A challenging series of infield turns counter the demands of the banking and make bike setup a tough compromise for the AMA riders and teams. The riders say the revised course that avoids part of the banking has made the Speedway more like a conventional racetrack, yet tire issues always pose a threat.

Statistics: Mat Mladin of Suzuki set pole in last year's race (1:38.232), the first using the current configuration. He also won the 15-lap race, followed by Parts Unlimited Ducati's Neil Hodgson and Suzuki's Ben Spies.