Progressive AFT’s Stars to Shine Big and Bright at Mission Texas Half-Mile

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, returns to action this weekend with the Mission Texas Half-Mile presented by Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda and Roof Systems of Dallas at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, April 27.

The series’ stop in Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the most significant annually due to its immediate proximity to the home bases of several of Progressive AFT’s partners and teams, including Mission Foods, Roof Systems of Dallas, TX, and Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda.

That naturally celebratory atmosphere will be elevated into another stratosphere in 2024, as the round will take place alongside the Goodguys 14th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals presented by TREMEC, which will feature over 2500 classic vehicles among numerous other attractions, at the sprawling Texas Motor Speedway.

Reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) comes into this weekend’s high-profile Mission SuperTwins showdown with a great deal going in his fashion. Not only is Mees’ the sport’s all-time winningest rider in the Half-Mile discipline with a remarkable 37 such victories to his name, he’s also triumphed in the series’ most recent three stops at Texas Motor Speedway (2018, 2019, 2022), its most recent Half-Mile (Black Hills HM, ‘23), and its most recent race full-stop (Senoia ST).

However, he also returns to Texas looking up at two rivals in the early 2024 point standings. Chief rival Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), who is determined to rip the torch free from Mee’s throttle hand if necessary, currently leads the way on the strength of finishes of first, second, and third in the season’s opening three races.

And slotted in between Daniels and Mees is the on-form Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), who would like nothing more than to move into the points lead with a win at his team’s home race this weekend.

Several other riders will be in contention for the win as well, headlined by two-time premier-class champion Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) and joined by fellow Mission SuperTwins race winners Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), and Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing Mission Foods KTM 790 Duke).

Others to keep close tabs on include fourth-ranked Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Corbin/OTBR Yamaha MT-07), the Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda duo of Dan Bromley (No. 62 Big Red Super Twins/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp) and Morgen Mischler (No. 13 Big Red Super Twins/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp), and highly rated rookies Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing KTM 790 Duke) and Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R).

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

The early ‘24 Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER title fight has taken on pretty much the same shape as the previous two. Following three rounds, double defending champion Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) is firmly in control and well on his way to ending this season’s campaign as the undisputed most decorated rider in class history.

And that means the remainder of a talent-laden field must rise up and meet Kopp’s challenge or risk serving as a backdrop to history. An elite handful of riders in the pack have proven they have the skills to go bar-to-bar with Kopp on any given night. It’s just a matter of doing so as consistently as the Rick Ware Racing ace.

Second-ranked Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F) has the tools to do so as evidenced by the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles class crown included on his lengthy résumé. And third-ranked Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) showed himself to be equal to the task during a torrid second-half run in 2023.

Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) was victorious in Texas a year ago, albeit at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. But no 450 rider has been as successful at Texas Motor Speedway as Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F), who boasts wins at the track in 2017 and 2019 among her category-leading tally.

Others would likely be content to first finish atop the box this weekend and go from there, a list of pilots that starts with Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R), who still seeks a maiden victory despite logging numerous podiums and battling up front on a week-in, week-out basis, and includes the likes of James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) and, Aiden RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust/ATV’s and More Yamaha YZ450F).

Fan activities will get underway on Friday, April 26, with Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Pre-Party where fans, riders, and team crew can get together at the dealership from 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. local time to enjoy food, fun, and a storewide sale.

There will be plenty to keep spectators entertained at the event on Saturday off the track as well, including numerous vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, live music courtesy of Texas-based rock & roll/dance party band Time Thief, face painting and character drawings for kids, extensive motorcycle parking, and a fireworks display at the end of the evening.

A special Goodguys General Admission Combo ticket is available HERE for just $55 (kids 12 and under $13), which includes Saturday admission to the Goodguys 14th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals and General Admission to the Mission Texas Half Mile that evening.

Standalone General Admission Grandstand tickets can be purchased for $35 (kids 12 and under $5), while Reserved Grandstand tickets are $45 (all ages). The Pit Pass Upgrade can be added to either option. A climate-controlled experience including Pit Pass access is available either through individual Indoor Suite tickets ($150) or by reserving a Private Indoor Suite ($2000) that can accommodate up to twenty people. 

New for 2024 is the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($150 all ages). This ticket option provides reserved seating with Pit Pass access, a guided tour of, and photo opportunities at, the infield podium and start/finish line, infield viewing of Opening Ceremonies and the heat races, and a track talk and photo opportunity with 2016 Grand National Champion Bryan Smith.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/texas-half-mile-86387 to reserve your seats today.

Gates will open for fans at 4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT). You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FloRacing. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2024. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

FOX Sports coverage of the Mission Texas Half-Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, May 5, at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT).

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