...But during the upcoming Fall Cycle Scene motorcycle races on Oct. 20-23 at historic Daytona International Speedway, their eyes will be focused on Nicole Hoffman, a NASCAR employee turned motorcycle racer.

“Working for NASCAR and Daytona being my home track, everybody around work has said, ‘when are you racing Daytona again?’ ” said Hoffman, who serves as a Manager in NASCAR’s Brand and Consumer Marketing department and races on the weekends. “I don’t know if NASCAR is going to allow everybody to take the day off to go watch me over there.”
Hoffman, a Palm Coast resident, is excited about the prospect of her co-workers and friends watching her compete in the Team Challenge event as well as two Championship Cup Series sprint races during Fall Cycle Scene.

“It’s funny because so many people have asked when can we see you race,” Hoffman said. “Most of our races are at least three hours away so getting people to those tracks is really difficult. This is obviously an opportunity where my co-workers to come and watch me race and cheer me on.”

Hoffman has made a couple of transitions during her 2005 motorcycle season. She made the jump from the amateur level to the expert level in CCS as well as moving to a new bike – the Suzuki SV 650.

“I’ve been really getting use to this bike and getting it set up this year,” said Hoffman, who captured the 2004 Amateur Ultra Lightweight Superbike championship in 2004 aboard an Aprilia RS250. “Coming off a championship last year and moving into a new class, you kind of struggle. As a first-year expert, you always hope you’re going to do great things but you’re in a whole different class of riders. There are a lot of fast guys out there so you have to take your time and gradually work your way up.”

Hoffman credits teammate and fellow local rider Mark Crozier with helping her make the transitions. “I’ve got a great advantage with Mark,” Hoffman said. “He’s been racing for years and years. He’s been helping me get my bike set up. He’s very knowledgeable about racing and motorcycles. Having him there helping me along has been tremendous.”

Riding for Flagler Beach, Fla., residents Tom and Gail Vallely, Hoffman will use the Fall Cycle Scene to prepare for the 2006 season. In the Team Challenge, Hoffman will race with Rhiannon Lucente with hopes of putting together an all-female endurance team.

“We’ll test it out and see how we work together and ride together,” Hoffman said.

Tickets to any of the motorcycle races at Daytona International Speedway are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
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Media Contact: Speedway PR, (386) 947-6782