Laconia Short Track/American Flat Track
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Laconia, New Hampshire
June 11, 2022
Mission SuperTwins Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Bronson Bauman (Har), 17.566
2. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 17.745
3. Davis Fisher (Ind), 17.789
4. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 17.829
5. JD Beach (Yam), 17.869
6. Jared Mees (Ind), 17.899
7. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), 17.966
8. Briar Bauman (Ind), 17.998
9. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 18.001
10. Shayna Texter-Bauman (Ind), 18.357
11. Robert Pearson (Har), 18.403
12. Danny Eslick (Kaw), 19.393
Mission Production Twins Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Ben Lowe (Yam), 17.810
2. Billy Ross (Har), 17.926
3. Ryan Varnes (KTM), 18.011
4. Cory Texter (Yam), 18.028
5. Dan Bromley (Yam), 18.035
6. Jesse Janisch (Har), 18.052
7. Johnny Lewis (Roy), 18.063
8. Mitch Harvat (Kaw), 18.163
9. Cameron Smith (Yam), 18.267
10. Cole Zabala (Yam), 18.346
11. Cody Johncox (Yam), 18.432
12. Michael Hill (Yam), 18.535
13. Nick Armstrong (Yam), 18.568
14. Shelby Miller (Kaw), 18.572
15. Kasey Sciscoe (Kaw), 18.729
16. Garret Wilson (Kaw), 18.843
17. Brandon Newman (Kaw), 19.021
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 17.357
2. Trent Lowe (Hon), 17.450
3. Michael Inderbitzin (Hon), 17.496
4. James Ott (KTM), 17.608
5. Chase Saathoff (Hon), 17.610
6. Trevor Brunner (Yam), 17.692
7. Kevin Stollings (Hon), 17.750
8. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), 17.846
9. Jared Lowe (Hon), 17.895
10. Gage Smith (Hon), 17.898
11. Brandon Kitchen (Hus), 17.899
12. Morgen Mischler (Hon), 17.937
13. Ian Wolfe (Hon), 18.012
14. Dalton Gauthier (Hon), 18.070
15. Justin Jones (Hon), 18.082
16. Tyler Raggio (Hon), 18.107
17. Hunter Bauer (KTM), 18.122
18. Logan McGrane (KTM), 18.174
19. Damon Ream (Hon), 18.234
20. Chad Cose (Hon), 18.596
Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jaycee Jones (Roy), 20.872
2. Makenna Hiatt (Roy), 21.158
3. Malary Lee (Roy), 21.619
4. Alex Bumpus McDonald (Roy), 21.627
5. Stephanie Pietz (Roy), 21.632
6. Zaria Martens (Roy), 21.688
7. Lanakila MacNaughton (Roy), 21.899
8. Erin Ferris (Roy), 22.063
9. Anna Serena (Roy), 22.277
10. Kaiela Hobart (Roy), 23.360
11. Mia Reese (Roy), 23.613
12. Gabrielle Hughes (Roy), 24.494
13. Moriah Hummer (Roy), 25.781
Mission SuperTwins Provisional Free Practice 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Bronson Bauman (Har), 17.429
2. JD Beach (Yam), 17.450
3. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 17.614
4. Jared Mees (Ind), 17.621
5. Briar Bauman (Ind), 17.629
6. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), 17.863
7. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 17.895
8. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 17.958
9. Davis Fisher (Ind), 18.080
10. Shayna Texter-Bauman (Ind), 18.402
11. Danny Eslick (Kaw), 18.770
12. Robert Pearson (Har), no time recorded
Mission Production Twins Provisional Free Practice 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Ryan Varnes (KTM), 17.735
2. Johnny Lewis (Roy), 17.750
3. Billy Ross (Har), 17.753
4. Jesse Janisch (Har), 17.794
5. Dan Bromley (Yam), 17.927
6. Ben Lowe (Yam), 18.167
7. Cory Texter (Yam), 18.209
8. Michael Hill (Yam), 18.223
9. Mitch Harvat (Kaw), 18.301
10. Cameron Smith (Yam), 18.330
11. Cole Zabala (Yam), 18.382
12. Shelby Miller (Kaw), 18.659
13. Kasey Sciscoe (Kaw), 18.753
14. Garret Wilson (Kaw), 18.812
15. Nick Armstrong (Yam), 18.843
16. Cody Johncox (Yam), 19.100
17. Brandon Newman (Kaw), 19.164
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Provisional Free Practice 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 17.213
2. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), 17.536
3. Trevor Brunner (Yam), 17.546
4. Dalton Gauthier (Hon), 17.587
5. Trent Lowe (Hon), 17.608
6. Gage Smith (Hon), 17.715
7. Brandon Kitchen (Hus), 17.772
8. Michael Inderbitzin (Hon), 17.805
9. Chase Saathoff (Hon), 17.857
10. Morgen Mischler (Hon), 17.886
11. James Ott (KTM), 17.887
12. Jared Lowe (Hon), 17.930
13. Hunter Bauer (KTM), 18.033
14. Kevin Stollings (Hon), 18.047
15. Justin Jones (Hon), 18.077
16. Logan McGrane (KTM), 18.195
17. Damon Ream (Hon), 18.225
18. Tyler Raggio (Hon), 18.331
19. Ian Wolfe (Hon), 18.350
20. Chad Cose (Hon), 18.870
Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Provisional Free Practice 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jaycee Jones (Roy), 20.286
2. Makenna Hiatt (Roy), 20.719
3. Zaria Martens (Roy), 21.037
4. Malary Lee (Roy), 21.687
5. Lanakila MacNaughton (Roy), 21.742
6. Alex Bumpus McDonald (Roy), 21.764
7. Erin Ferris (Roy), 21.809
8. Anna Serena (Roy), 21.865
9. Stephanie Pietz (Roy), 21.866
10. Kaiela Hobart (Roy), 22.558
11. Mia Reese (Roy), 23.868
12. Gabrielle Hughes (Roy), 24.675
13. Moriah Hummer (Roy), 25.985
Mission SuperTwins Provisional Free Practice 3 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. JD Beach (Yam), 17.701
2. Jared Mees (Ind), 17.724
3. Davis Fisher (Ind), 17.746
4. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), 17.754
5. Briar Bauman (Ind), 17.806
6. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 17.946
7. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 17.955
8. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 18.073
9. Bronson Bauman (Har), 18.077
10. Shayna Texter-Bauman (Ind), 18.710
11. Danny Eslick (Kaw), 19.219
12. Robert Pearson (Har), 19.668
Mission Production Twins Provisional Qualifying 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Billy Ross (Har), 17.997
2. Jesse Janisch (Har), 18.071
3. Dan Bromley (Yam), 18.095
4. Ben Lowe (Yam), 18.230
5. Ryan Varnes (KTM), 18.322
6. Cameron Smith (Yam), 18.372
7. Johnny Lewis (Roy), 18.382
8. Cory Texter (Yam), 18.383
9. Mitch Harvat (Kaw), 18.533
10. Michael Hill (Yam), 18.542
11. Cole Zabala (Yam), 18.744
12. Kasey Sciscoe (Kaw), 18.747
13. Nick Armstrong (Yam), 18.807
14. Garret Wilson (Kaw), 18.851
15. Shelby Miller (Kaw), 18.970
16. Brandon Newman (Kaw), 19.481
17. Cody Johncox (Yam), 19.944
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Provisional Qualifying 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 17.450
2. Trevor Brunner (Yam), 17.747
3. Trent Lowe (Hon), 17.848
4. Dalton Gauthier (Hon), 17.858
5. Michael Inderbitzin (Hon), 17.858
6. Justin Jones (Hon), 17.869
7. Chase Saathoff (Hon), 17.895
8. Jared Lowe (Hon), 17.935
9. Hunter Bauer (KTM), 17.953
10. Gage Smith (Hon), 17.979
11. James Ott (KTM), 17.983
12. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), 17.997
13. Logan McGrane (KTM), 18.089
14. Brandon Kitchen (Hus), 18.101
15. Damon Ream (Hon), 18.129
16. Kevin Stollings (Hon), 18.146
17. Morgen Mischler (Hon), 18.167
18. Tyler Raggio (Hon), 18.173
19. Ian Wolfe (Hon), 18.579
20. Chad Cose (Hon), no time recorded
Mission SuperTwins Provisional Qualifying 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Bronson Bauman (Har), 17.770
2. JD Beach (Yam), 17.775
3. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 17.853
4. Jared Mees (Ind), 17.912
5. Briar Bauman (Ind), 17.956
6. Davis Fisher (Ind), 18.009
7. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 18.015
8. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 18.075
9. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), 18.106
10. Robert Pearson (Har), 18.701
11. Shayna Texter-Bauman (Ind), 18.822
12. Danny Eslick (Kaw), 19.491
Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Provisional Qualifying 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jaycee Jones (Roy), 21.010
2. Makenna Hiatt (Roy), 21.396
3. Zaria Martens (Roy), 21.632
4. Lanakila MacNaughton (Roy), 21.690
5. Malary Lee (Roy), 21.772
6. Anna Serena (Roy), 21.937
7. Stephanie Pietz (Roy), 21.945
8. Erin Ferris (Roy), 22.880
9. Alex Bumpus McDonald (Roy), 23.142
10. Kaiela Hobart (Roy), 23.492
11. Gabrielle Hughes (Roy), 25.162
12. Moriah Hummer (Roy), 26.120
13. Mia Reese (Roy), 26.665
Mission Production Twins Provisional Qualifying 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Billy Ross (Har), 18.027
2. Johnny Lewis (Roy), 18.221
3. Ryan Varnes (KTM), 18.261
4. Jesse Janisch (Har), 18.280
5. Cameron Smith (Yam), 18.383
6. Dan Bromley (Yam), 18.527
7. Ben Lowe (Yam), 18.548
8. Cole Zabala (Yam), 18.600
9. Michael Hill (Yam), 18.706
10. Mitch Harvat (Kaw), 18.715
11. Cory Texter (Yam), 18.725
12. Nick Armstrong (Yam), 18.883
13. Kasey Sciscoe (Kaw), 18.990
14. Garret Wilson (Kaw), 19.219
15. Shelby Miller (Kaw), 19.274
16. Brandon Newman (Kaw), 19.324
17. Cody Johncox (Yam), 19.345
AFT Singles Provisional Qualifying 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 17.818
2. Trevor Brunner (Yam), 17.975
3. Trent Lowe (Hon), 18.043
4. Justin Jones (Hon), 18.084
5. Michael Inderbitzin (Hon), 18.101
6. Dalton Gauthier (Hon), 18.123
7. Brandon Kitchen (Hus), 18.152
8. Chase Saathoff (Hon), 18.159
9. Tyler Raggio (Hon), 18.277
10. Gage Smith (Hon), 18.303
11. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), 18.316
12. Hunter Bauer (KTM), 18.323
13. James Ott (KTM), 18.361
14. Morgen Mischler (Hon), 18.386
15. Jared Lowe (Hon), 18.398
16. Logan McGrane (KTM), 18.410
17. Kevin Stollings (Hon), 18.430
18. Damon Ream (Hon), 18.458
19. Ian Wolfe (Hon), 18.867
20. Chad Cose (Hon), 18.927
Mission SuperTwins Provisional Qualifying 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 18.050
2. JD Beach (Yam), 18.061
3. Briar Bauman (Ind), 18.126
4. Bronson Bauman (Har), 18.206
5. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 18.225
6. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), 18.249
7. Jared Mees (Ind), 18.350
8. Davis Fisher (Ind), 18.362
9. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 18.705
10. Robert Pearson (Har), 18.757
11. Shayna Texter-Bauman (Ind), 19.533
12. Danny Eslick (Kaw), 20.298
Provisional Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Semi Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jaycee Jones (Roy), 6 laps
2. Makenna Hiatt (Roy), -01.138 seconds
3. Zaria Martens (Roy), -01.419
4. Lanakila MacNaughton (Roy), -05.627
5. Stephanie Pietz (Roy), -06.345
6. Malary Lee (Roy), -09.014
7. Erin Ferris (Roy), -09.686
8. Alex Bumpus McDonald (Roy), -12.847
9. Anna Serena (Roy), -19.473
10. Gabrielle Hughes (Roy), -1 lap, -00.822
11. Kaiela Hobart (Roy), -1 lap, -02.638
12. Mia Reese (Roy), -1 lap, -07.662
13. Moriah Hummer (Roy), -1 lap, -08.605
Provisional Mission Production Twins Semi 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dan Bromley (Yam), 8 laps
2. Billy Ross (Har), -00.164 seconds
3. Ben Lowe (Yam), -00.209
4. Cole Zabala (Yam), -01.128
5. Cameron Smith (Yam), -01.818
6. Mitch Harvat (Kaw), -05.367
7. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -06.611
8. Shelby Miller (Kaw), -09.476
Provisional Mission Production Twins Semi 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jesse Janisch (Har), 8 laps
2. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -01.542 seconds
3. Cory Texter (Yam), -02.644
4. Michael Hill (Yam), -05.016
5. Kasey Sciscoe (Kaw), -05.824
6. Garret Wilson (Kaw), -09.644
7. Ryan Varnes (KTM), -10.884
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Semi 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 8 laps
2. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -02.469 seconds
3. Michael Inderbitzin (Hon), -03.697
4. Trent Lowe (Hon), -04.465
5. James Ott (KTM), -06.195
6. Logan McGrane (KTM), -07.039
7. Damon Ream (Hon), -07.166
8. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -07.348
9. Hunter Bauer (KTM), -07.610
10. Ian Wolfe (Hon), -09.443
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Semi 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dalton Gauthier (Hon), 8 laps
2. Trevor Brunner (Yam), -00.309 seconds
3. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), -02.897
4. Jared Lowe (Hon), -05.152
5. Tyler Raggio (Hon), -06.338
6. Brandon Kitchen (Hus), -06.561
7. Kevin Stollings (Hon), -07.014
8. Gage Smith (Hon), -07.220
9. Justin Jones (Hon), -07.432
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Semi 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Briar Bauman (Ind), 8 laps
2. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -00.146 seconds
3. Bronson Bauman (Har), -00.852
4. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -01.476
5. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -01.948
6. Shayna Texter-Bauman (Ind), -09.620
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Semi 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. JD Beach (Yam), 8 laps
2. Jared Mees (Ind), -02.474 seconds
3. Davis Fisher (Ind), -03.992
4. Sammy Halbert (Ind), -04.049
5. Robert Pearson (Har), -05.452
Provisional Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jaycee Jones (Roy), 8 laps
2. Makenna Hiatt (Roy), -00.498 seconds
3. Zaria Martens (Roy), -03.302
4. Stephanie Pietz (Roy), -03.380
5. Lanakila MacNaughton (Roy), -07.664
6. Alex Bumpus McDonald (Roy), -07.898
7. Malary Lee (Roy), -08.161
8. Anna Serena (Roy), -11.037
9. Erin Ferris (Roy), -16.735
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 4 laps
2. Dalton Gauthier (Hon), -01.348 seconds
3. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -01.626
4. Trevor Brunner (Yam), -02.110
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. JD Beach (Yam), 4 laps
2. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -00.184 seconds
3. Jared Mees (Ind), -01.069
4. Briar Bauman (Ind), -1 lap
Provisional Mission Production Twins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Billy Ross (Har), 22 laps
2. Jesse Janisch (Har), -00.726 seconds
3. Dan Bromley (Yam), -03.660
4. Cory Texter (Yam), -06.487
5. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -08.222
6. Cole Zabala (Yam), -10.119
7. Cameron Smith (Yam), -10.853
8. Ben Lowe (Yam), -11.229
9. Ryan Varnes (KTM), -12.296
10. Kasey Sciscoe (Kaw), -19.662
11. Michael Hill (Yam), -1 lap, -02.591
12. Shelby Miller (Kaw), -1 lap, -03.500
13. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -1 lap, -04.553
14. Mitch Harvat (Kaw), -1 lap, -05.265
15. Garret Wilson (Kaw), -2 laps, -10.783
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 22 laps
2. Trent Lowe (Hon), -01.948 seconds
3. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -01.967
4. Trevor Brunner (Yam), -02.161
5. Dalton Gauthier (Hon), -02.860
6. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), -04.966
7. Brandon Kitchen (Hus), -05.262
8. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -05.415
9. Jared Lowe (Hon), -06.004
10. Hunter Bauer (KTM), -06.178
11. Logan McGrane (KTM), -06.846
12. Damon Ream (Hon), -07.526
13. Kevin Stollings (Hon), -07.883
14. James Ott (KTM), -08.277
15. Gage Smith (Hon), -8 laps
16. Michael Inderbitzin (Hon), -8 laps
17. Tyler Raggio (Hon), -20 laps
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. JD Beach (Yam), 35 laps
2. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -04.844 seconds
3. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -06.663
4. Bronson Bauman (Har), -08.421
5. Briar Bauman (Ind), -09.816
6. Jared Mees (Ind), -10.207
7. Davis Fisher (Ind), -1 lap, -00.922
8. Jesse Janisch (PT) (Har), -1 lap, -04.109
9. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -1 lap, -04.270
10. Dan Bromley (PT) (Yam), -1 lap, -05.491
11. Sammy Halbert (Ind), -1 lap, -07.661
12. Robert Pearson (Har), -1 lap, -16.524
13. Cory Texter (PT) (Yam), -19 laps
14. Shayna Texter-Bauman (Ind), -23 laps
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track:
Beach Spearheads Yamaha 1-2 at Laconia Short Track
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 11, 2022) – JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) scored a milestone victory as the 2022 Progressive American Flat Track season resumed with Saturday’s Progressive Laconia Short Track presented by MOMS at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire.
Faced with an extraordinarily technical surface, passing was at a premium on the day, making the start all that more important. Beach earned the top pick of starting positions with his performance in the lead-up to the Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle Main Event but appeared to throw that pivotal advantage away by slipping down to third in the race’s opening corner.
However, the versatile Beach somehow slashed past both Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) and Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) in less than a quarter mile to reassert his dominance before it could ever be questioned. He was effectively perfect from that point forward, never providing another rider with any real hope of stealing away the victory.
While Yamaha had gone nearly a half-century between oval wins prior to the Mission Red Mile I triumph of Beach’s Estenson Yamaha teammate, Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), it took just two weeks to add another.
The triumph also happened to be the first oval win of Beach’s Progressive AFT career to go along with his four prior TT victories. And as a result of today’s points haul, Beach now holds the early advantage in the recently announced Progressive Triple Crown.
He said, “I felt great. Thanks to the whole team – this track has been rough. It’s been a long day, but we squeaked out a win. It feels amazing to finally win on an oval. We’ve still got a lot of races to go, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Speaking of Daniels, the rookie might have been able to give Beach a run if not for a poor start that saw he and Mees shuffled back into an early scrap for sixth. Despite the general difficulties with overtaking at the venue, Daniels systematically made his way forward, ultimately charging all the way up to second at the checkered flag.
It was a rewarding 1-2 for Estenson Yamaha who backed up their Mile excellence with an even more convincing outing at a Short Track.
After being overtaken by Daniels, Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) followed the rising star up the order. With less than two minutes remaining, he made his way past the aforementioned Bauman and ‘19 Laconia ST winner Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) to claim the final spot on the box.
Bronson ultimately finished fourth with Briar fifth after the Baumans waged a brother-vs-brother duel for the runner-up spot for more than half the contest.
Reigning champion Mees never did find his typical front-running form, ultimately coming home in sixth position. Despite suffering his worst finish of the season, Mees continues to lead the title fight. However, Daniels is now just 15 points back (122-107) while Briar and Beach remain significant factors as well with 100 and 98 points, respectively.
Davis Fisher (No. 67 Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R), Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Vinson Construction/Viper Air Yamaha MT-07) completed the top ten.
Also notable is Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), who made his return to racing following his terrifying crash and subsequent injury at last year’s Charlotte Half-Mile. Halbert ran as high as fourth early before eventually fading back to eleventh.
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Billy “the Kid” Ross (No. 109 Roof Systems/JRi Shocks Harley-Davidson XG750R) earned his first career Progressive AFT victory in dramatic, come-from-behind fashion in Saturday’s thrilling Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines Main Event.
For just over six minutes, the race seemed all but certain to go to championship leader Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R), a one-time TT ace added Half-Mile and Mile victories to his résumé in recent weeks.
However, the combination of a couple small mistakes on an unforgiving track and heavy traffic saw Janisch’s hard-earned gap eaten away, allowing the 17-year-old Ross to close back to within striking distance just as they approached the final two laps. Ross proceeded to pounce when Janisch made a minor miscue with just over a lap to go and then successfully defended the position to the checkered flag.
The victory wasn’t just the first of Ross’ young career, it was his first Mission Production Twins result better than tenth and the first top-five of his pro career full stop.
“I can’t even take it all in yet,” Ross said. “I feel like it’s been coming for a couple races now, but I’m just glad it happened here. I almost settled in behind Jesse, but then he made a little bobble and I was like, ‘Okay, I’ve got to take advantage.’ It was a fun race.”
A few seconds back, the “partially-retired” Dan Bromley (No. 62 Vinson Construction/Viper Air Yamaha MT-07) showed he’s still got his chops with a strong ride to third. As a result, Bromley stands two-for-two in podiums per attempt this year following his runner-up at the season opener in Volusia.
Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) once again salvaged a decent result out of a less-than-perfect round. The defending class champ executed successive passes on sixth-placed Cole Zabala (No. 51 Memphis Shades/Corbin/Vinson Yamaha MT-07) and fifth-placed Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) to minimize the day’s damage with a fourth-place finish.
Meanwhile, it was a second consecutive tough outing for former points leader Nick Armstrong (No. 60 Competitive Racing Frames/Lessley Brothers Yamaha MT-07), who ended up 13th. As a result, Janisch has expanded his points lead from one to six (112-106) over Texter, while Armstrong now sits a distant third at 87.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER title leader Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) was in a class of his own all day long at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The prodigious Kopp was fastest in every practice and qualifying session, won his Semi and the Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Challenge going away, and then stamped his authority through multiple starts and stops in a three-time red-flagged Main Event.
The field was gifted a pair of late Hail Marys, first when the charging Gage Smith (No. 113 BigR Racing/L&R Racing Honda CRF450R) crashed with a minute-and-a-half remaining on the clock, and then again when Michael Inderbitzin (No. 54 1st Impressions Services of Florida Honda CRF450R) had an incident shortly after the restart.
While the red flags deleted Kopp’s six-second advantage, they may have actually done him a favor by clearing out the possibility of encountering trouble in traffic in his final sprint to the flag.
The victory was Kopp’s third of ‘22. That, combined with an eighth on the part of title rival Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), and the DNS of the injured Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), allowed Kopp to rip his championship advantage open to 18 points over Mischler, and 41 over teammate Whale.
Despite his strong championship position, the 17-year-old Kopp remains focused on the here and now. He said, “It’s too early to think about that. We’re just playing it race-by-race. I can’t believe the opportunity this team has given me. It’s been so great for myself and my family.”
Behind Kopp, Trent Lowe (No. 48 Mission Foods/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda CRF450R) narrowly edged rookie Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) for second at the stripe by 0.019 seconds.
It was an impressive performance for both riders with Lowe securing his second podium in the most recent three races. Saathoff, meanwhile, earned his first-career Progressive AFT podium in third despite having to start from the back of the field after forcing the race’s first red flag.
Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) took fourth ahead of Mission Red Mile II winner Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), who rounded out the top five.
The Progressive Laconia Short Track presented by MOMS will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, June 18, at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m, PT, including exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.
Next Up:
Progressive AFT will now head to the demanding Mission Lima Half-Mile at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, on Saturday June 25. Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT ahead of the evening’s Main Event program.
Visit https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3765 to reserve your tickets today.
You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FansChoice.tv. FansChoice.tv provides free-to-view livestreaming of Practice and Qualifying. FansChoice.tv subscribers will then be able to watch the drama unfold from Opening Ceremonies through the Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations. FansChoice.tv offers two subscription options, granting unlimited access to premium AFT content. Monthly subscriptions start at just $7.99, while a six-month subscription is available for $44.99.
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
How to Watch:
FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.
More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
RED BULL KTM’S KODY KOPP SWEEPS ROUND 7 OF AMERICAN FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 7 – American Flat Track Championship
LOUDON, N.H. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Kody Kopp dominated in the AFT Singles class at Round 7 of the American Flat Track Championship in Loudon, New Hampshire, sweeping everything from qualifying, to the semi and the evening’s Main Event.
After setting the fastest time in qualifying, Kopp continued to show the power of his KTM 450 SX-F by leading all eight laps of Semi 1. Hungry for yet another win of the evening, Kopp blasted into the lead from pole position for the Main Event. He controlled the entire race, despite three restarts which left room for competitors to make their moves. Kopp clicked off lap after lap in the lead. Then, with two laps to go in the Laconia Short Track, he headed into a tank-slapper in Turn 3. Luckily, Kopp was able to recover without crashing and maintain the lead, cruising through the checkers after leading all 22 laps.
Kody Kopp: “Laconia was an amazing weekend for myself and the team. We fast-qualified, won our semi, won the dash and won the main, so we swept the weekend, which was awesome. We just had to be consistent and get out there and put our laps in. The track was very inconsistent. We had one good save with two laps to go, which I thought was going to cost me my race, but luckily, I was able to gather it up. We have some good momentum rolling right now, so we’re just going to keep our head down and keep pushing.”
Teammate Max Whale did not compete at Laconia Short Track due to a knee injury sustained during race 2 at the Red Mile. Whale underwent surgery last week and he expects to have a quick recovery in hopes of returning to racing soon.
After seven rounds, Kopp has stretched his lead in the AFT Single Championship standings and Whale still remains in third, despite missing this round.
Next Race: Lima Half-Mile – Lima, Ohio – June 25, 2022
Round 7 Results – Laconia Short Track
AFT Singles Main Event (Round 7 – Laconia Short Track)
1. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
2. Trent Lowe, Honda
3. Chase Saathoff, Honda
OTHER
10. Hunter Bauer, KTM
11. Logan McGrane, KTM
14. James Ott, KTM
AFT Singles Point Standings (After Round 7)
1. Kody Kopp, 130 points
2. Morgen Mischler, 112
3. Max Whale, 89
OTHER
12. James Ott, 44
14. Travis Petton IV, 29
13. Hunter Bauer, 31
17. Ryan Wells, 18
21. Tanner Dean, 11