Can Anyone Beat TT Superstar Beach at Arizona Super TT?
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season will jump right (and left) back into action this weekend with the ZO CBD Arizona Super TT presented by RideNow Powersports at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona, on Saturday April 1.
While the first three rounds of the Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle title fight have seen points leader Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and reigning champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) share top honors, JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) steps forward as the presumptive favorite heading into Saturday’s showdown.
Beach earned his maiden Mission SuperTwins win at this same event back in 2019. A little less than four years later, the Estenson Racing pilot now stands with victories in six of the most recent seven premier-class TTs. He’s repeatedly overcome the pressure of being the odds-on favorite through a combination of mental strength and sublime talent in a discipline that allows him to flex skills honed in both dirt track and road racing.
It’s worth recalling that Beach’s ‘19 Arizona Super TT win only came about, however, after chasing down runaway leader Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 890 Duke). Bauman has already flashed front-running speed despite still adapting to his developing Rick Ware Racing KTM 890 Duke and will be motivated to get his revenge in the rematch.
Mees and Daniels should be considered threats to topple Beach as well. Factory Indian ace Mees has racked up multiple wins and numerous podiums at TTs throughout his career. And while Daniels is still looking for his first premier-class TT victory, he owns a similar skillset to Beach and previously earned TT wins in both Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER and Mission Production Twins while landing on the box in last year’s Peoria TT as a rookie.
The versatile Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) – who boasts a background as one of the nation’s elite Supermoto riders – also stands a real chance to shine this weekend. Meanwhile, his teammate Ryan Wells (No. 94 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), earned a support-class podium at the venue in ‘19.
Per usual, an impressive lineup of independent riders will be up for the challenge, led by the likes of Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750), and Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), all of whom have earned podium finishes already this season.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Defending Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER champ Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) comes into the Arizona Super TT right where he’s grown accustomed to being – atop the points standings. However, while Kopp has demonstrated plenty of ability at TTs, none of his nine prior career class victories have come in the discipline.
Overcoming that hurdle will be made all the more difficult by the fact that his two closest championship rivals – Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F) and Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) – are two of the finest TTers in the business.
Fourth-ranked Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) should be expected to contend as well, while Brunner’s teammate, Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), has enormous potential considering his road racing accomplishments.
Meanwhile, Turner Racing’s talented trio of Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) will be eager to come out swinging following a rare weekend in which none of the team’s riders finished in the top three.
Historically, Progressive AFT’s TTs have often served as showcases for part-timers and TT specialists. Those looking for a non-title contender to root for this weekend might be wise to throw their support behind Hayden Gillim (No. Comstock Energy/Vance & Hines KTM 450 SX-F), a three-time Parts Unlimited AFT Singles TT Main Event winner.
There will be plenty to keep fans entertained off the track as well, including numerous vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, music, and extensive motorcycle parking.
General Admission tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under just $5), while Reserved Grandstand tickets are $50 (all ages). A Premium Parking Upgrade (add-on only) can be acquired for an additional $10.
Pit Pass Upgrades are also available for purchase, providing all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.
Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/arizona-super-tt-62246 to purchase your tickets today!
Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT).
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv.
FOX Sports coverage of the ZO CBD Arizona Super TT presented by RideNow Powersports, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, April 9 at 1:30 p.m. ET (10:30 a.m. PT).
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
About Progressive American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
