In recent years, the Honda brand has gone from almost non-existent in the MotoAmerica paddock (save for a few generators, pit bikes, and scooters) to what seems to be the bike to compete aboard, especially in Superbike Cup.

The Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP not only has a long name, but by all accounts, it is also long on virtues: power, handling, ergonomics, style, and equally as important, if not most important of all, contingency support.

It started out with Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates, who won the Superbike Cup two years ago, while also racing in Stock 1000, and Real Steel Honda’s Hayden Gillim, who won the Stock 1000 title. Last year, Real Steel Honda added JD Beach in Superbike Cup, and of course, he was on a “Triple-R SP.”

For Road America and, specifically, in Superbike Cup, there are a magnificent seven Honda riders entered: Andrew Lee, Carl Soltisz, Joe Giannotto, Danilo Lewis, Manny Segura…and two new entries.

#72 Larry Pegram – Real Steel Honda

There are two racetracks that Larry Pegram loves above all the others: Road America and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Pegram races cars in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge these days, with his daughter Riley as his teammate. Together, they compete in the Touring Car (TCR) class behind the wheel of their #72 Honda Civic Type R, with support from Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) and title sponsor Lindsay Honda, an Ohio-based Honda auto dealership.

The IMSA schedule conflicts with MotoAmerica’s Mid-Ohio round, but not with the Road America round.

Pegram will race the #72 Real Steel Honda CBR1000RR-R in Superbike Cup this weekend. His wife Heather, his daughters Riley and Sophie, and his father Jim and mother Mary will all be there to cheer him on.

“Twenty years ago, I signed with Honda on two wheels,” commented Pegram. “I have to thank Honda, HRC, and the Real Steel Honda team for letting this old man get to feel like a kid again. I’m so excited to ride at one of my favorite places on earth: Road America.”

#197 Ezra Beaubier – Aftercare Scheibe Racing

The younger brother of six-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier, Ezra has jumped in and out of MotoAmerica a couple of times. He was one of the original KTM RC Cup riders from MotoAmerica’s earliest years, and he also dipped his toe in Superstock 600 and Supersport. In more recent years, he raced for OrangeCat in Stock 1000 and Superbike, and then, for Aftercare Scheibe Racing in Superbike.

Ezra is making his return to MotoAmerica and the Aftercare Scheibe Racing team this weekend at Road America where he will compete in Superbike Cup aboard, you’ve got it, a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.

“I’m really excited to be back racing and to have the opportunity to return with Aftercare Schiebe Racing aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R,” Beaubier said. “It’s been a journey to get back to this point. I’m grateful for everyone who’s supported me along the way and believed in what we can do together. The team has put in a lot of work, and I’m motivated to keep building, learn every weekend, and push for strong results. More than anything, I’m looking forward to being back on the grid, competing at a high level, and enjoying the process again. I think we’ve got a lot of potential, and I’m optimistic about what’s ahead this season.”

They’re the nicest people, those Honda racers. Come to Road America this weekend and meet them.

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