Progressive American Flat Observe (AFT) Championship
Springfield Mile I
Springfield, Illinois
September 2, 2023
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Predominant Occasion Outcomes (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 25 laps
2. Briar Bauman (KTM), -0.340 second
3. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -4.348 seconds
4. JD Seashore (Yam), -4.412
5. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -5.734
6. Davis Fisher (Ind), -5.992
7. Ben Lowe (Ind), -15.060
8. Jarod Vanderkooi (KTM), -15.371
9. Henry Wiles (Ind), -17.820
10. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -18.200
11. Bronson Bauman (KTM), -24.325
12. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -24.445
13. Brandon Value (Yam), -24.508
14. Dan Bromley (Yam), -35.357
15. Jeffery Lowery (Yam), -36.758
16. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), -9 laps, DNF
17. Cameron Smith (Yam), -10 laps, DNF
18. Ryan Wells (Roy), -12 laps, DNF
19. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -17 laps, DNF
Provisional Components Limitless AFT Singles Predominant Occasion Outcomes (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 18 laps
2. Tom Drane (Yam), -0.010 second
3. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -0.092
4. Trevor Brunner (Yam), -0.486
5. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -0.638
6. Declan Bender (KTM), -0.676
7. James Ott (Hus), -5.500 seconds
8. Trent Lowe (Hon), -5.505
9. Max Whale (KTM), -5.609
10. Chad Cose (Hus), -5.742
11. Travis Petton (KTM), -7.605
12. Dalton Gauthier (KTM), -7.857
13. Shayna Texter-Bauman (KTM), -8.736
14. Tarren Santero (Hon), -8.947
15. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), -14.359
16. Hunter Bauer (Hon), -14.571
17. Tyler Raggio (Yam), -14.692
18. Jared Lowe (Hon), -26.114
19. Jordan Jean (Hon), -8 laps, DNF
Extra, from a press launch issued by AFT:
Mees Closes on Crown, Kopp Defends Title with Springfield Mile I Triumphs
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 2, 2023) – Reigning Grand Nationwide Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorbike/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) took an enormous step towards one more premier-class crown with a triumphant efficiency within the Mission Springfield Mile I introduced by Drag Specialties.
Whereas followers of Progressive American Flat Observe, sanctioned by AMA Professional Racing, flocked to the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois, in anticipation of a showdown for Mission SuperTwins introduced by S&S Cycle supremacy that includes Mees and challenger Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), Saturday’s contest as a substitute delivered a flashback to Grand Nationwide Championships previous.
Because it was, Mees was pushed to the checkered flag by long-time rival Briar Bauman (No. 3 Components Plus/Jacob Firms KTM 790 Duke) after the 2 shook free from a six-rider pack to determine the race between them. The manufacturing facility Indian star dug in with two laps remaining and ripped open a late 0.340-second margin as he moved that a lot nearer to finishing one other profitable title protection.
Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Techniques Indian FTR750) completed third after approaching robust within the early going, operating across the exterior of Daniels, JD Seashore (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), Bauman, and Mees in fast succession to briefly declare the lead three minutes into the race.
Robinson then ran in shut formation with Mees and Bauman earlier than fading to a distant third over the ultimate 5 minutes, in the end surviving a last-gasp assault from Seashore to assert ultimate place on the rostrum.
In the meantime, for the primary – and least opportune – time this season, Daniels merely lacked podium tempo. He did what he may to cling on to the lead group however was dropped from competition by the race’s midway level. From there ahead, it turned all about injury limitation, which he managed by heading off Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) for fifth place.
Even so, what had been a one-point championship deficit is now 11 (367-356). As Mees holds the tiebreaker, which means even when Daniels turns his fortunes round in a single day and wins on Sunday, Mees wants solely end sixth or higher so as to add one more championship trophy to his already expansive assortment.
Whereas nothing is assured, that looks as if a comparatively modest activity for the winner of six of the final Springfield Miles.
After claiming his ninth victory of the yr, Mees stated, “It was probably the most technical Springfield Mile I’ve ever raced. There wasn’t a lot grip on the market, and you actually needed to let the motorbike hook up. In case you obtained just a bit bit excited you buzzed it up. Truthfully, it’s most likely the very first Springfield Mile that you simply had been higher off main the race since you might be timid, and if the man behind you needed to wick it up, it will spin up.
“I’ve obtained an outstanding crew, and we’re working actually onerous to get this factor carried out… It feels actually good, however there’s yet another tomorrow. Something can occur, and we’ve obtained to convey it.”
Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Mission Meals Indian FTR750) completed seventh simply forward of KTM-mounted Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Wally Brown Racing/JMC Motorsports KTM 790 Duke), whereas Henry Wiles (No. 17 BriggsAuto.com/Martin Trucking Indian FTR750) and Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) accomplished the highest ten.
Components Limitless AFT Singles introduced by KICKER
Kody Kopp (No. 1 Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing 450 SX-F) had each alternative to cruise round to a secure fifth, which is all he wanted to do to efficiently defend his Components Limitless AFT Singles introduced by KICKER title. As a substitute, he orchestrated a panoramic 0.010-second victory to lock down the #1 plate for the second consecutive yr in supreme type.
Kopp ran third for a lot of the race, tucked in shut behind a back-and-forth dogfight waged by fellow prodigies Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Meals CRF450R).
The reigning champ started to fit into second right here and there because the minutes ticked away. With two minutes to go, the race bunched as much as a six-rider affair as second-ranked Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), rookie ace Declan Bender (No. 216 Killer Bee Racing/Luczak Racing KTM 450 SX-F), and veteran pilot Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Mission Meals CRF450R) all closed to inside placing distance.
However even in shut quarters, the battle for victory nonetheless appeared to be determined between Drane and Saathoff. Drane led to open the ultimate lap, Saathoff powered by as they navigated Flip 2, and Drane dove again into the lead coming into 3. However proper there was Kopp within the shadow of the Australian, completely positioned to pounce as they sprinted to the road.
Kopp pulled out of the draft and nudged forward by inches on the final potential second. The 0.01-second victory noticed the manufacturing facility Crimson Bull KTM star concurrently develop into simply the class’s second two-time champion, earn his first-career Mile triumph, and match Dallas Daniels’ class single-season victory file along with his eighth win on the yr.
“I don’t even know what to say,” stated Kopp. “It’s no secret that the KTM crew was struggling on the Miles this yr, however we’ve obtained some guys in our nook that don’t quit. The blokes on the crew wish to win as badly as I do, they usually constructed us a heck of a runner this weekend. Second championship… I’m speechless. It’s insane.”
Drane got here away along with his ninth podium in his final 11 makes an attempt in second, whereas Saathoff will carry his pursuit of a maiden victory over to Sunday after ending third, simply 0.092 seconds off the Saturday win.
Brunner and Mischler rounded out the highest 5, ending simply forward of Bender, who made an enormous push for Rookie of the 12 months honors by ending sixth, lower than seven-tenths again of Kopp in first.
Whereas Kopp has now clinched the crown with 333 factors, the battle for second is but to be determined. Brunner stands a mere 4 factors forward of his Estenson Racing teammate Drane (289-285) for the glory, whereas Saathoff holds an out of doors shot himself at 270.
Subsequent Up:
The 2023 Progressive American Flat Observe season will conclude with Sunday’s Mission Springfield Mile II introduced by Drag Specialties on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois. Go to https://www.tixr.com/teams/meespromotions/occasions/springfield-mile-ii-61313 to order your tickets now.
For these that may’t catch the dwell motion from the circuit, FansChoice.television is the dwell streaming residence of Progressive AFT. Join now and catch each second of on-track motion beginning with Observe & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium on the finish of the night time at https://www.fanschoice.television.
FOX Sports activities protection of Mission Springfield Mile I & II introduced by Drag Specialties that includes in-depth options and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere back-to-back on FS1 on Sunday, September 10, beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT).
For extra data on Progressive AFT go to https://www.americanflattrack.com.
Extra, from a press launch issued by KTM Manufacturing unit Racing:
KODY KOPP AND RED BULL KTM CLINCH SECOND-STRAIGHT AFT SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP WITH SPRINGFIELD MILE VICTORY
Spherical 17 – American Flat Observe Championship
SPRINGFIELD, Sick. – Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing’s Kody Kopp has clinched a second-consecutive AFT Singles Championship with a spherical to spare, after charging to his eighth American Flat Observe Predominant Occasion victory of the 2023 season on Saturday on the Springfield Mile double-header.
In what has been a dominant season onboard his KTM 450 SX-F, Kopp has raced to a complete of eight race wins throughout the 17 rounds contested, with yet another race to run in Springfield tomorrow. This yr’s title marks the Washington native’s second crown in simply three seasons since stepping as much as the AFT Singles ranks, with the 18-year-old as soon as once more displaying his successful kind by sealing the championship on high of the rostrum.
Requiring a Tenth-place end or higher to safe the 2023 title, Kopp demonstrated true championship caliber as he posted the third-fastest qualifying time, earlier than racing to P3 in his Warmth Race. After beginning the Predominant Occasion from the second row of the grid, the defending champion put any stress of incomes back-to-back titles out of his thoughts, slicing his means via the sphere and finally edging his means into P1, which is the place he would take the checkered flag by simply 0.010s for his eighth win of the season and one other AFT Singles Championship.
Kody Kopp: “We had been within the hunt all day lengthy right here in Springfield! We entered with a brand new motor that the crew again on the store have been engaged on and I’d say that’s the strongest Mile motor I’ve ever ridden with in my life. We put ourselves in a very good place, I knew what was wanted for the championship, though I needed there to be no questions requested, so we ended up going on the market and successful the factor. It feels superb to match Dallas [Daniels] on whole single season wins with eight, after which to additionally wrap up one other championship. We’ll cost for an additional win tomorrow, however we’ll soak this in first! An enormous thanks to the crew for giving me all of the instruments mandatory all season lengthy to get the job carried out.”
Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing teammate Max Whale endured a troublesome time out in Springfield, with the Australian posting a P5 lead to qualifying. After experiencing an unlucky non-finish throughout his Warmth Race, Whale certified into the Predominant Occasion via the LCQ, which resulted in a poor beginning place for the 18-lap affair.
Geared up along with his KTM 450 SX-F, Whale put in a powerful cost via the pack, powering his means to ninth place by race’s finish, regardless of the one-lined nature of the circuit, and he maintains fifth-place within the 2023 season standings.
Max Whale: “I felt actually good right here in Springfield. The bike was superior as quickly as we hit the observe and I used to be operating up entrance in all classes, earlier than a difficulty within the Warmth Race despatched me to the LCQ. I fought from the again of the grid within the LCQ to second, after which within the Predominant Occasion I used to be means again with the grid place, however tried as onerous as I may and managed to come back again to ninth place. We’ve been making an attempt all season lengthy, so we’ll line up and provides it one other shot tomorrow!”
Subsequent Race: Springfield Mile II – Springfield, IL – September 3, 2023
Spherical 17 Outcomes
AFT Singles Predominant Occasion
1. Kody Kopp, Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing
2. Tom Drane, Yamaha
3. Chase Saathoff, Honda
OTHER KTM
6. Declan Bender, KTM
9. Max Whale, Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing
11. Travis Petton IV, KTM
12. Dalton Gauthier, KTM
13. Shayna Texter-Bauman, KTM
2023 AFT Singles Level Standings
1. Kody Kopp, 333 factors
2. Trevor Brunner, 289
3. Tom Drane, 285
OTHER KTM
5. Max Whale, 255
7. Dalton Gauthier, 243
11. Travis Petton IV, 106
15. Shayna Texter-Bauman, 76
19. Declan Bender, 52
20. Logan Eisenhard, 43
22. Tanner Dean, 27
26. Landen Smith, 15
27. Hayden Gillim, 14
28. Olin Kissler, 14
30. Clarke Morian V, 12
