DAYTONA BEACH – Brandon Paasch is committed to himself and the sport he loves.
Paasch has made it his own business to promote motorcycle racing, where the 21-year-old and two-time Daytona 200 winner continues to try to make a living.
And despite its success, just making ends meet is harder than many might think.
“I train people for a week at a time and then I basically spend the money to train for a week and a half or two,” explained Paasch. “You’re definitely working. It’s not a nine-to-five, it’s not a regular job, but it’s just as much work.
“You prep your bikes for the training week, then you come home and replace brake pads, tires, change the oil, oil filter, make sure the bike is prepped and then you go to your two weeks of training in, then have to You all market these three weeks together and find people to coach for the next week.
“Then you have to talk to team managers, talk to potential sponsors — you really have to stay on top of things to keep your program moving.”
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While some might be discouraged, Paasch got busy.
Paasch enlisted the help of his fiancé, Darian Brody, as well as a few friends, and assembled his own publicity team to spread the good news about the 200. It started at the Daytona 500, where he met the likes of Travis Pastrana and Conor Daly among others, and the tour continued, documented and posted online.
“We shot a YouTube video in the 500 and were behind the scenes,” said Paasch. “We’re filming behind the scenes of my practice for the 200. We had our own video series on YouTube, five episodes called ‘For the love of Supermoto’ and it ends in Daytona. Just building the hype around the race.
“We’re trying to break out of the box everyone is stuck in and try to change our sport for the better.”
In addition to the video work, fans can shop for newly released gear at brandonpaasch.myshopify.com.
So why is all this necessary? According to Paasch, the answer is complex.
First, yes, to raise awareness and interest in the sport. But also in the interest of your own further development. Paasch got stuck and instead races Stock 1000 in the Superbike class, the premier motorcycle racing team in the United States.
“It’s been so frustrating the last few years where I’ve been able to get some decent results, I’m out here winning races and fighting for wins, getting podiums at every single event and when it comes to the end of the season, you show up and the next team is like, ‘Yeah, we need $100,000 for you to ride for us this year,'” Paasch said.
“I’m a 21-year-old kid who lives alone. It depends on me and realistically, as a 21-year-old boy, no matter how much you win, you’re not going to have $100,000 in the bank to spend and race for a team. ”
The way he envisions it, if Paasch can bring more fans, sponsors and ultimately money for the Daytona 200 and the racers at the Stock 1000 level, it helps everyone.
“If the runner-up earns more money and I earn more money, everyone is happy,” said Paasch. “If I can be the guy that goes out, does the job, gets everyone interested in motorcycle racing, everyone makes more money and nobody can complain.”
A decked out Daytona favorite
Regardless of where Paasch’s road ultimately leads, the Daytona 200 will remain dear to him.
“For us, it’s the best-paid race of the season and the most prestigious race,” said Paasch. “It’s the one everyone wants to win. Every time you win one you get a cool Rolex watch, that’s pretty cool too. It’s such a special feeling when you win a race at Daytona.”
Another win on Saturday would give Paasch three straight Daytona 200s, a feat unmatched in 80 years of racing. Paasch already has a place in the event’s storied history, using skid moves on the final lap to claim victory at the finish line, ending both victories in dramatic fashion.
“I know my name will forever be in the Daytona history books, so it’s pretty cool. Nobody can take that away from you,” said Paasch.
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