Halbert Set to Race Daytona Short Track with Martin Trucking
Cycle News Staff | March 7, 2023
Sammy Halbert will race a Martin Trucking Yamaha MT-07 for the Daytona Short Track I & II season opener and other select rounds of the 2023 Progressive American Flat Track Championship, including the Sturgis and Castle Rock TTs.
The union pairs Martin Trucking owner CD Martin, a flat track enthusiast and former racer, with veteran racer Halbert.
Sam McDonald is building the race bikes out of his shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. McDonald was a dirt-track racer before embarking on a career in road racing.
Halbert’s younger brother, Andy, will also be at the track to help the team. Together, they’ll look to rekindle the magic they had working together in 2011 when they dominated the Daytona Short Track doubleheader, winning both main events and Dash-for-Cash races.
“I was so excited to see the Daytona Short Track back on the schedule this year,” said Halbert. “I always feel right at home on this track. I knew that I wanted to be on a Yamaha in this chassis this year. After riding the Harley and Indian the last four years, getting on this bike feels like a minibike—it’s so much smaller and I can actually touch the ground. I like the rules package for this bike and being able to run a heavy wheel again.” CN