AFT Kicks Off Its Run of Miles with the Legendary Sacramento Mile
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 14, 2019) – American Flat Track will press the limits of speed, bravery, and tactical acumen this weekend as the series arrives at the first of six magnificent Mile showdowns in 2019 — the Law Tigers Legendary Sacramento Mile presented by Cycle Gear powered by Estenson Racing — on Saturday, May 18, at the Cal Expo Fair in Sacramento, Calif.
The AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines points race is headed by a pair of established frontrunners on the cusp of superstardom in Briar Bauman (No. 14 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) — the only premier class rider to finish on the podium in every Main Event this season — and Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Kennedy Racing/Armbruster Racing Indian FTR750) — the only rider with two premier class victories in 2019.
The Sacramento Mile will be a major test of the credibility of their respective titles campaigns as they’ll be opposed by the sport’s dominant forces who have no interest in passing the torch any time soon.
Last year’s Sacramento Mile was taken by double defending AFT Twins Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750), who was victorious on four occasions on the big Mile circuits in 2018. By scoring last year’s triumph, Mees snapped the incredible seven-race Sacramento Mile win streak of Bryan Smith (No. 4 Crosley Brands/Howerton Motorsports Kawasaki Ninja 650).
Smith and his team sat out last week’s So-Cal Half-Mile to prepare for the upcoming stretch of Miles. He’ll no doubt be hugely motivated to reap the rewards of that sacrifice this weekend and re-stake his claim as the undisputed master of the event.
There are a host of others who could emerge as checkered flag contenders as well, including So-Cal podium finisher Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team XG750R Rev X). Halbert demonstrated race-winning potential last weekend, and he and his Harley-Davidson teammate, Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team XG750R Rev X), have combined to register five top-four results in five Main Events this season. It’s starting to feel as if it’s only a matter of time before the XG750R Rev X secures a historic breakthrough victory.
After getting his championship campaign off to a slow start, 2016 champ Ryan Wells (No. 94 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) is arguably the hottest rider in Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys action at the moment. He’s now logged two consecutive podiums, including last weekend’s victory at the So-Cal Half Mile.
Light in weight, heavy in confidence, and precise in her maneuvers, Shayna Texter (No. 52 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing SX-F 450) is a favorite any time the AFT Singles class grids up for a Mile. Texter boasts seven Mile victories among her class-leading 15 career wins. For comparison, consider that just four other riders have tallied seven combined AFT Singles victories across all four disciplines.
Meanwhile, in AFT Production Twins, the field is still searching for an answer for Cory Texter (No. 65 G&G Racing/Holeshot Powersports Yamaha MT-07). Texter is now two-for-two on the season, backing one dominant win up with another last weekend.
The Legendary Sacramento Mile will live up to its billing off the track as well, thanks to the sheer number of legends who will be in attendance. 1969 Grand National Champion Mert Lawwill will serve as the Grand Marshal at the event where he claimed his maiden AFT Twins victory back in 1965.
Additionally, the entire Class of ‘79 will be on hand to celebrate the class’ 40th anniversary and its tenth as a charity. Wayne Rainey, Scotty Parker, and the other Class of ‘79 luminaries will be incorporated into the Motion Pro Legends Of Flat Track Meet and Greet / Autograph session.
Emphasizing the fan-friendly nature of the event, there will be two track crossings for the pit walk, and handicap shuttles will connect the parking lot and grandstands.
Tickets are on sale now for the Law Tigers Legendary Sacramento Mile presented by Cycle Gear powered by Estenson Racing at www.sactomile.com. You save $10 per ticket by ordering reserved seats online as opposed to purchasing at the gate. Military and First Responders will be provided free general admission standing room only tickets at the Cal Expo Gate on the day of the event.
For fans watching remotely, FansChoice.tv will provide live coverage of the Sacramento Mile starting when the gates open at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT. Opening Ceremonies are slated to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m PT. The AFT Production Twins Main Event is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT, followed by the rider autograph session at 9:50 p.m. ET/6:50 p.m PT. The remainder of the Main Event program will follow at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT.
Catch the feature broadcast of the Sacramento Mile on NBCSN with extensive coverage of all Main Events, enhanced by exclusive features and cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage. The broadcast will debut on Sunday, May 26, at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and will re-air on Tuesday, May 28, at 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT.
For more information on American Flat Track visit www.americanflattrack.com.
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How to Watch:
NBCSN and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of American Flat Track. For the 2019 season, NBCSN’s coverage of AFT moves to highly-coveted, weekend afternoon programming slots within two weeks of each event. The complete schedule for AFT on NBCSN can be viewed at http://www.americanflattrack.com/events-nbcsn/. FansChoice.tv remains a cornerstone of AFT’s digital strategy, providing live streaming coverage of every event on AFT’s live page while previous events and exclusive features are available on AFT’s VOD page.
About American Flat Track:
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 American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events at FansChoice.tv and catch all the American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.