By AMA Racing News

Honda Racing's Miguel Duhamel was black-flagged during the running of the Daytona 200 for entering the pits at the completion of the first lap and changing to his back up motorcycle in violation of AMA rules.

The rule states that, in a red flag condition, a rider who was present at the starting grid but was unable to start or dropped out after the start, is permitted to restart on a back-up motorcycle until three laps have been officially completed (leader has crossed the finish line to begin the third lap), and when the rider has obtained permission from the Chief Steward or Race Manager.

At the time that Duhamel changed motorcycles, an AMA race official, who is not the AMA Chief Steward or the Race Manager, was asked by the Honda team if there was time for the bike swap and the race official incorrectly indicated that there was time. Riders and crew chiefs acknowledge that they have read and understand the rules as a condition of AMA competition.

"After an exhaustive review, it became clear that the conditions stated in the rules that permit a bike change were not present," said Keith Kizer, the AMA's senior director of racing. "We apologize to Duhamel and the Honda Racing team for allowing him to continue racing but we wanted to provide Duhamel any benefit of the doubt before issuing the black flag."