DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 14, 2015) – He already has the rare distinction of being a two-time Daytona 200 winner, but Danny Eslick is going to trade his road racing leathers for a steel shoe and try to add some Springfield Mile accolades to his already impressive resume.

Eslick announced Wednesday on the internet radio show, “Talking Motorcycles with Barry Boone,” that he plans to run the Springfield Mile on May 24 in Springfield, Ill., on a Harley-Davidson of Salina, T&R Racing XR-750. He plans to run in the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class with the No. 69G.

“I’m looking forward to getting back out there,” Eslick said.

Eslick isn’t the only road racing star who will run the Springfield Mile. Three-time World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss will be making the trip from his native Australia to run five AMA Pro Flat Track events this summer, starting with Springfield. Fans who can’t make it to the track to witness it first-hand, can catch all the action live, in high definition and free of charge at FansChoice.tv.

Eslick grew up on dirt, but shifted most of his attention to road racing. He made a name for himself as one of the fastest riders around, winning four professional titles, including two Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series championships. He’s also well known for being one of the most colorful personalities in the paddock.

After winning his second straight Daytona 200 in March, Eslick was without a full-time ride in the MotoAmerica series. Luckily, the super-talented Oklahoma rider hooked up with Turbo Turtle Racing for this weekend’s event at Virginia International Raceway. Still, Eslick had plenty of time to contemplate his racing future.

The 28-year-old also secured a coveted invite to the X Games for the Harley-Davidson Flat Track event, which will be the debut for the sport in the world’s premier action sports showcase, scheduled for June 4 in Austin, Texas at Circuit of the Americas.

“Not having a lot going on with road racing, I’ve been home, playing golf,” Eslick said. “(AMA Pro Flat Track veteran) Aaron Lindfors called me and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got a Harley if you want to ride Springfield.’ Then the X Games came up.”

While he was making plans to run Springfield before the X Games announcement, Eslick said he’s still looking to use the event to help get up to speed before the international spotlight shines on him in Austin. He won an 883 event in 2003 in Springfield against some of the current top AMA Pro Flat Track riders, so he knows his way around the track.

“I just want to get some experience,” Eslick said. “You’re not going to conquer Springfield overnight, these guys and girls have years of experience.”

Eslick recently raced a short track event as a tune-up for the X Games and Springfield. He said he was able to evaluate where he stood from a competitive standpoint.

“I didn’t feel like I missed a whole lot,” Eslick said. “It’s going to be a whole different ballgame when you’re racing the top 30 or 40 guys in the country, though.”

Eslick was away from AMA Pro Flat Track competition, but he said he never fully shied from his dirt track roots.

“I’ve done a handful (of dirt track events) the past couple of years,” Eslick said. “For actual races, just a few indoors, playing around the last few winters, keeping up my game.”

In the end, it doesn’t matter the discipline, Eslick just wants to race motorcycles.

“I want to be out racing, I want to be twisting a grip with my buddies,” he said.

Fortunately for AMA Pro Flat Track fans, Eslick will be twisting a grip at Springfield on May 24.

For more on the Springfield Mile and ticket information, please visit www.illinoismda.com.

Every event on the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule can be seen live at www.FansChoice.tv.