Estenson Racing Announces 2018 American Flat Track TeamJake Johnson to campaign AFT Twins Championship; 2017 AFT Singles Champion Kolby Carlile ready for a repeat

Johnson brings with him a wealth of experience with 19 wins in the premier class and a pair of Grand National Championships. After some rough seasons since his championship run in 2010 and 2011, Johnson looks forward to going into the new year with a clean slate at a top-level team and reuniting with tuner Teddy McDermitt.

“The last half dozen seasons haven’t been quite what I’ve wanted or expected,” said Johnson. “With Estenson, I feel like I should have everything I need to get back where I feel I should be. They have some of the best equipment in the pits and I feel like we’ll have everything we need to challenge for a championship. I’m also excited (to be back with) my old mechanic Teddy McDermitt, who I won the championship with in 2010 and ’11.”

Leading the way in the AFT Singles class on the No. 1 Yamaha YZ-450F is Carlile. The defending champ returns with the Estenson squad and looks to be the first rider to pull off the repeat in the Singles class. In addition to defending his crown, Carlile also looks forward to the opportunity to do some Twins testing in order to prepare for his move to the AFT Twins class in 2019.

Estenson Racing not only heads into the 2018 with a pair of talented riders in Johnson and Carlile, but with a solid program to support its riders. Returning in 2018 is Tuner/Builders Teddy and Cory McDermitt on the Twins side, Singles Tuner Andrew Butler, and engine builder Mike Stauffer from Stauffer Motors.

Team Owner Tim Estenson heads into the new season happy with the addition of Johnson to compliment the cohesive unit at Estenson Racing and looks for big things in 2018.

“I’m very excited to have Jake Johnson joining us as our Twins rider,” said Estenson. “Jake and Teddy McDermitt have a long-standing relationship, and I believe that we’re bringing together an outstanding team.

“Kolby Carlile, what a character. He’s just a class young man. The maturity level that he carries, and the calmness that he carries is so impressive to me. I was fortunate to pick him up halfway through the (2017) season, with eight races to go. I’m happy to have him with us in 2018 and look forward to not only helping him defend his Singles title, but to help prepare him for the next step in his career – the Twins class.”

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