Dalke Motorsports leads off with a solid start for a 2006 title defense in the opening round of the WERA National Endurance Series at Jennings GP, Jennings, Florida. The team featured returning riders Brian Dalke (Team Owner), Wrenn Smith, Giovanni Rojas, Josh Smith-Moore and newcomer Daniel Parkerson.

The team decided to use last year’s Championship winning 2005 Suzuki GSXR600 and left the new 2006 Suzuki in the trailer because of it’s late arrival and lack of development time. Team riders Brian Dalke, Giovanni Rojas and Wrenn Smith split two Friday practice groups to shake out the cobwebs from the off season and get the bike dialed in for the race. After consultation with Thermosman Suspension's Mike Fitzgerald the team made some changes to the rear shock so the bike would steer better and finish the turn better. With that done, Saturday morning practice was used to get Josh Smith-Moore some time on the bike and the track.

Dalke Motorsports finished ahead of the anticipated season regulars and put valuable points in the bank for their 2006 Middleweight Superstock title defense last weekend. The 6 hour season opener at Jennings Raceway offered pleasant sunny weather in sharp contrast to last year’s rain, flooding and hail. Unfortunately the race was marred by a near record number of red flags causing Dalke’s lead to evaporate and allowing the Triple-R team to take the lead late in the race.

Dalke's Giovanni Rojas put the team into a solid lead during the first hour. After a flawless pit stop Brian Dalke took over and held the lead over the charging Triple R team of Brain Stokes, Scott Harwell and Mike Reed. With the second red flag of the day, late in Brian’s stint he decided to let Wrenn take the restart and run till the fuel light came on, or the rear tire gave out. Wrenn managed to stay in the lead until the fuel light came on and came in for tires and fuel. The crew worked a perfect pit stop, fueling the bike and changing both front & rear tires in less than 1min 45seconds and putting Wrenn back out just behind Triple R's Scott Harwell. After another red flag restart Wrenn dogged Harwell through the remainder of his stint and came in to give the reins to Josh Smith-Moore. Another great pit stop and Josh was able to retake the lead. Josh worked hard to maintain the lead but Triple R's Brian Stokes was just a little too quick and passed Josh just before the final red flag of the day. With a few minutes to regroup and work out the strategy, Crew Chief Richard Smith-Moore put Giovanni back on the bike for the 30 minute dash to the end. 'Gio' swapped the lead back and forth with the Triple-R bike in an exciting battle during the final minutes. When the checkered flag flew the Dalke bike was in a solid second position in class, just 11 seconds off the lead bike. This season opener podium finish leaves Dalke Motorsports in a strong position for the Championship points battle.