Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) Championship

Silver Dollar Short Track

Silver Dollar Speedway

Chico, California

May 18, 2024

Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):

1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 23 laps

2. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -1.648 seconds

3. Trent Lowe (Hon), -3.471

4. Tarren Santero (Hon), -4.065

5. James Ott (Hus), -5.912

6. Tom Drane (Yam), -6.193

7. Evan Renshaw (Hon), -6.409

8. Michael Inderbitzin (Hon), -6.828

9. Travis Petton (KTM), -7.453

10. Justin Anselmi (Yam), -9.084

11. Cole Frederickson (Hon), -9.165

12. Ian Wolfe (Hon), -9.207

13. Hunter Bauer (Yam), -9.311

14. Logan Eisenhard (KTM), -10.669

15. Shayna Texter-Bauman (KTM), -11.452

16. Tyler Raggio (KTM), -12.055

17. Jared Lowe (Hon), -14.691

18. Olin Kissler (KTM), -1 lap

19. T.J Welty (Hon), -9 laps, DNF

Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):

1. Jared Mees (Ind), 37 laps

2. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -0.436 second

3. Sammy Halbert (Har), -4.908 seconds

4. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -5.343

5. Briar Bauman (KTM), -7.226

6. Jarod VanDerKooi (Ind), -12.384

7. Dan Bromley (Hon), -1 lap

8. Bronson Bauman (KTM), -1 lap, 8.418 seconds

9. Max Whale (Har), -1 lap, 11.430

10. Declan Bender (Ind), -1 lap, 12.093

11. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -1 lap, 12.704

12. Trevor Brunner (KTM), -1 lap, 13.049

13. Brandon Price (Yam), -1 lap, 13.733

14. Cameron Smith (KTM), -2 laps

15. Michael Hill (Yam), -2 laps, 11.319

16. Davis Fisher (Ind), -23 laps, DNF

More, from a press release issued by AFT:

Champions Mees, Kopp Star at Inaugural Silver Dollar Short Track

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 18, 2024) – Nine-time Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) reigned supreme in the inaugural Silver Dollar Short Track, Round 6 of the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.

The big crowd that turned out at in Chico, California, to see the world’s elite motorcycle dirt trackers compete at the historic Silver Dollar Speedway were treated to a virtuoso performance on the part of one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Mission AFT SuperTwins king Mees was fastest in both practice sessions and both qualifying sessions, and then proceeded to win his heat, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, and the night’s Main Event.

If it sounds clear cut, it was anything but.

Mees grabbed the early lead from holeshotter Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) but then came under heavy pressure from Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Dodge Bros. Racing/Castrol Harley-Davidson XR750).

In fact, Halbert actually worked his way into the lead after the two broke free from the pack at the front. They then proceeded to dice it out for several laps, all the while Daniels settled in and upped his pace.

Mees finally broke Halbert’s challenge and set about building up a big lead at the front. Halbert in turn shifted his attention to harrying Daniels over second. But even with that delay, the Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07-mounted ace quickly closed in on Mees’ factory Indian FTR750 after dispatching of Halbert and his venerable Harley-Davidson XR750.

The title rivals would spend the contest’s final three minutes dueling for victory with Mees ultimately holding strong after his young challenger’s last-lap, last-corner bid came up just short.

“It definitely feels good to get that win,” Mees said. “Dallas got the holeshot, but I was able to get by him. And then here comes Sammy on the ole Hog, and he was giving me a run. He actually stretched it out a little bit, but I was able to get back up to him. I felt like I had a good pace and was maybe checking out, but I lost my rhythm in the lappers. I peeked back and there was Dallas. We went back and forth, and I had to get a little aggressive a couple of times. He’s been riding so good. It feels like every week I have to dig deeper and deeper.”

Halbert completed the podium in third, but only after reclaiming the position from Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) on the race’s final lap.

Last week’s winner, Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke), completed the top five. He was followed to the stripe in sixth through tenth by Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750), Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp), Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing Mission Foods KTM 790 Duke), Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R), and Declan Bender (No. 70 GOMR/BriggsAuto.com/Martin Trucking Indian FTR750).

Despite being bitterly disappointed by Saturday’s result, Daniels continues to lead the points chase with 124 points to Mees’ 118. Robinson is one point further adrift at 117, followed by Bauman’s 99.

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) continued his march toward a third Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER championship by scoring his third Short Track victory of the ‘24 season on Saturday night.

While Kopp would eventually take hold of his customary position out front, the opening stages of the contest saw his primary challengers, Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R), wage their own battle over first, trading the lead back and forth with intersecting lines.

Saathoff’s strategy proved superior in that early fight, and he then put his head down to break free at the front. Meanwhile, Kopp closed in on Drane’s rear wheel in second.

A bobble on the Australian’s part gave Kopp the small opening he needed. Once through, he not only shook Drane but instantly reeled back in Saathoff after trailing him by as much as 1.5 seconds a small handful of laps earlier.

In fact, the Rick Ware Racing pilot’s momentum barely stalled upon catching Saathoff; he merely rode around the outside and continued to walk away in the lead.

However, with the top three seemingly settled at that point, a lapped rider went down upon Saathoff’s overtake as the leaders negotiated traffic. Drane became collateral damage in the crash, going down in a two-part incident that summoned the red flag.

Kopp and Saathoff lined back up in first and second, respectively, while Drane was forced to the back of the pack after looking as if he might not be fit enough to continue.

There was little drama at the front once the action resumed. Kopp powered away in the same fashion he had prior to the red flag. Saathoff completed his run to second, while Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) claimed the final step on the podium.

“We worked hard for that one,” Kopp said. “We were fast all day, but I was one of the only ones shifting out here today. It was fast, but would it have been consistent in this whole Main when we were running up on the top? Probably not. So we made a game-changing call right before the (Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Challenge), and I had to go out and learn how to ride the bike again because we weren’t shifting all of a sudden. Thanks to my team. This was a big one for us.”

Californians Tarren Santero (No. 75 Vinson Construction/P&M Motorcycles Honda CRF450R) and James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) rounded out the top five.

As for Drane, he not only gritted his way to the finish, he actually charged all the way up to sixth to keep his championship hopes very much alive.

Kopp now leads with 133 points, followed by Saathoff at 111 and Drane at 108.

Next Up:

Progressive American Flat Track will head back east for the Orange County Half-Mile at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York, on Saturday, June 15. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/orange-county-half-mile-94110 to secure your tickets today.

For those who can’t catch the action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of the on-track action, from the first practice to the victory podium, at https://flosports.link/aft.

FOX Sports coverage of the Silver Dollar Short Track, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, May 25, at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT).

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING AND REIGNING CHAMPION JARED MEES WIN INAUGURAL SILVER DOLLAR SHORT TRACK

Mees Edges Out the Competition Aboard Indian FTR750, Captures Second Victory of Season as he Moves into Second Overall through Six Rounds

Minneapolis, MN. – Indian Motorcycle Racing proved victorious at round six of the 2024 American Flat Track series at the inaugural Silver Dollar Short Track, as nine-time champion Jared Mees added his second victory of the 2024 season aboard his Indian FTR750.  With 118 points, Mees is just six back from the top of the leaderboard as he chases the all-time career record of 10 Grand National Championships.

Mees demonstrated his exceptional speed and skill, securing victories in both qualifying sessions, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, and the night’s Main event. However, securing the top of the podium was no easy feat, as Mees battled closely with Dallas Daniels and Sammy Halbert throughout the Main’s final three minutes. Ultimately, Mees reigned victorious, inching closer to his goal of breaking the all-time career championship record of 10 titles.

“Competing at a track for the first time can throw a lot of hurdles, but the team had the FTR750 fully dialed in, and Jared proved why he’s got nine championships to his name,” said Gary Gray, Vice President of Racing & Service for Indian Motorcycle. “With two wins this season, just six points back from the top of the leaderboard, we’re excited to stay on the throttle and push for the all-time championship record.”

After six rounds, Mees sits second in the championship chase with 118 points, a mere 6 points off the lead. Currently tied with Scottie Parker with the most career championships, Mees is looking to break the record and earn the title of the greatest all-time flat track racer. Of his nine-career championships, Mees has earned five while a member of the Indian Wrecking Crew piloting the Indian FTR750, including championships in 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

The 2024 American Flat Track season continues on June 15 for the Orange County Half-Mile in Middleton, NY.

For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, X and Instagram.

ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE

Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit  www.indianmotorcycle.com.