The following is from Shayna Texter Racing...

Shayna Texter will open a new chapter in her racing career this week as Shayna Texter Racing with Husqvarna will make its American Flat Track (AFT) debut this Thursday at Daytona International Speedway in the Harley-Davidson TT presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys.

Texter, who won a series-high five AFT events in 2017, has a much bigger to-do list this year as she prepares for the 2018 season after making the move to establish her own racing squad.

And that is just one of the new elements for the third-generation racer in 2018, as the Pennsylvania native has a new ride this year as  Husqvarna Motorcycles sets its sights on success in the AFT Singles ranks.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Husqvarna Motorcycles family, and to be riding such a proven motorcycle,” said Texter. “I’m out to win the AFT Singles championship this season, for sure, but also to showcase the legendary Husqvarna brand and have a blast racing motorcycles along the way. It’s a really special and exciting opportunity for me.”

Riding the No. 52 Shayna Texter Racing Husqvarna FC 450, Texter will target a strong start to her 2018 AFT campaign this Thursday as the series launches with an all-new layout for the TT circuit at Daytona International Raceway.

“It is all coming together but of course there are always last minute things coming up!” said Texter. “I have a great group of guys that I am working with and that gives me a lot of confidence. I’ve had this role in mind for several years, so I’ve been trying to learn from every team environment that I’ve been in and am just putting those lessons to work now. I knew it was not going to be easy but this was the right time. It is really exciting to have this opportunity and I’m really eager for Daytona.”

With a new ride on a new track with a new team, Texter has a lot of variables to contend with but she’s feeling confident with all of them.

“I had the chance to test the Husqvarna, and I felt comfortable right out of the gate, more than I’ve ever experienced for my first time on a bike so that was a really good feeling,” said Texter. “And we’ve not even started to work with it, and that gives me a lot of confidence about the season overall to feel that on the very first day. The new Daytona layout will hopefully suit my style a little bit more. It is a little less technical ahead of the jump so I think that will suit me better than last year.”

Thursday’s TT will be broadcast on NBCSN Sunday, March 25th  at 2pm ET.