Round six of the 2025 American Flat Track series is headed to Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, for the Lima Half-Mile doubleheader.
This is a press release/race preview from AFT…
Daytona Beach, FL (June 23, 2025) – The stars of Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, are gearing up for this weekend’s hugely anticipated Lima Half-Mile I & II at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28.
In the Presence of Royalty
Even in retirement, the presence of Jared Mees was destined to loom large over this year’s Mission AFT SuperTwins title fight.
Mees not only left on his own terms last year, he did so in the most spectacular way possible, winning his final race in a season that culminated with an unprecedented 10th Grand National Championship.
Quite naturally, the defining story of the 2025 season was always going to be the battle to assume Mees’ throne, and thus, even in absence, he gets mentioned on a near-weekly basis.
However, that’ll ramp up considerably this weekend with Mees in attendance, presiding over the festivities as the event’s co-promotor alongside his wife and former GNC competitor Nichole Mees.
Challenge Accepted
Mees’ continued influence on the sport extends beyond the attempts of his former rivals to fill his void or by way of his race promotion. He’s helped to usher in yet more history by playing a key role in devising the Mission Triple Challenge format set to debut this Friday night.
As a brief refresher, here’s a reminder of how the Mission Triple Challenge will work:
Race 1: A fast and furious 10-lap sprint where riders race for points (23 for 1st, 19 for 2nd, and so on). The results? Not just bragging rights—they also set the stage (aka the starting grid) for Race 2.
Race 2: Fifteen laps of adrenaline-packed action where the stakes are doubled. Riders earn twice as many points as in Race 1 (46 for 1st, 38 for 2nd, and so on). With twice the reward and grid positions for the final race on the line, the tension is sky-high.
Race 3: The grand finale! Twenty laps of high-octane action with triple the points of Race 1 up for grabs (69 for 1st, 57 for 2nd, and so on). The stakes couldn’t be higher as riders battle for ultimate glory.
At the end of Race 3, all points are tallied to crown the night’s overall top three in each class. And if there’s a tie? It all boils down to who came in clutch and delivered the best finishing position in Race 3.
But even broken down and laid out, we still don’t know exactly how it’ll play out in practice. For example, will strategies vary alongside race length—i.e., could we be in for a non-stop, all-out brawl in Race 1 with a more tactical affair to round out the evening in Race 3?
Seems reasonable enough, but we just don’t know.
Better yet, neither do the racers. As much as overall race strategies are unknown, each racer is likely to have their individual take on how things should work, which will then be tested by how it actually does.
Over time, as the Mission Triple Challenge rounds stack and the data accumulates, some consensus regarding best practices may eventually take shape.
But as for this Friday night? Buckle up.
Clash of the Pea-Gravel Titans
Lima is an ideal venue to host the inaugural Triple Challenge. It’s both physically and strategically demanding and widely viewed as among the most coveted wins a Mission SuperTwins pilot can attain.
History also shows it’s a place where the best and brightest outshine the rest, with the legendary trio of Scott Parker (seven wins), Mees (five wins) and Chris Carr (four wins) ranking 1-2-3 in career Lima Half-Mile triumphs.
It’s only fitting then that this year’s races will feature a trio of modern-era Lima masters in Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R), Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) and Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT).
Bauman comes in with the points lead on the strength of a three-race win streak. He also happens to own three previous Lima wins, all coming on different makes of equipment (Kawasaki, Indian and KTM). This weekend presents an opportunity to make it four as he rolls in on the Harley-Davidson XG750R.
Should Bauman continue his tear and sweep this weekend’s doubleheader, he’ll boast the second longest win streak in Grand National Championship history, trailing only Ricky Graham, who took six Main Events in succession during his epic 1993 title season.
Neither four nor five will come easily, however. This year’s Short Track-centric schedule was a significant factor in RWR electing to field the H-D. That has proven to be a wise decision to date, however, Half-Miles in general and Lima in particular are different tests entirely.
Plus, he’ll need to overcome both Robinson and Daniels, among others, to do so.
Robinson himself is a two-time winner at Lima, claiming top honors in 2016 on a Harley-Davidson XR750 and again in 2022 on an Indian FTR750. He’s consistently strong at the circuit, claiming finishes of first, second, third, and fourth in his most recent four attempts.
And while Daniels has just the one Lima Half-Mile win, it came one year ago in devastating fashion. Despite calling off the dogs late, he still won by nearly six-and-a-half seconds.
Now riding an 18-race podium streak, the Estenson Racing ace figures to be good everywhere – and that’s why he remains the title favorite in the eyes of many. The shift away from Short Tracks to a pair of Half-Miles and a Mile may present a golden opportunity for Daniels to reset and take a second shot at asserting the sort of dominance so many expected from him before the ‘25 campaign got underway.
The Big Four
Any discussion regarding the season’s evolving Grand National Championship fight would be incomplete if it failed to include Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke).
In fact, Fisher ranks just behind Bauman and Daniels and ahead of Robinson in the points, leapfrogging the Mission Roof System pilot with an impressive second-place effort last time out.
Fisher’s ’25 finishes of fourth-third-fourth-seventh-and-second mark the best five-race run of his career, and he only expects to get better as he gets more seat time on the KTM 790 Duke.
While Lima has not typically proven overly kind to Fisher, he has managed to finish fourth here twice in the past, including last year when he ran down Bauman to steal the position.
Upset Alert
The uncertainty of the Triple Challenge may up the odds of an upset this weekend.
If so, who is most likely to deliver it?
Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Fastrack Racing/Wally Brown Racing KTM 790 Duke) is an easy answer. He’s rapidly rounding into form, having earned three straight top fives (including a podium) in his last three outings.
And while the odds are admittedly longer, don’t discount the likes of James Ott (No. 19 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07), Max Whale (No. 18 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Progressive Insurance Honda Transalp) and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Suzuki GSX-8S), all of whom have demonstrated front-running form at times early this season.
Single-Cylinders + Doubleheader + Triple Challenge = Home Run at Lima Half-Mile
Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will see the rising stars of the AFT Singles presented by KICKER championship venture into the unknown at the Lima Half-Mile I & II at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28.
Mission Impossible-er
While sitting outside the top five in the AFT Singles points standings, Kage Tadman (No. 288 Roof Systems/Old Oak Ranch KTM 450 SX-F) gets top billing until someone actually beats him to the checkered flag – be it heat race, challenge race, or Main Event.
The class’ emerging ace did the near impossible, not just winning but utterly dominating his first-ever Progressive AFT event at the Ventura Short Track.
He then did what had previously proven impossible, sweeping the proceedings again on less familiar turf to make it an unprecedented two-for-two at the Silver Dollar Short Track.
Now Tadman faces the biggest test of his young pro career, attempting to make it three-for-three at the notoriously challenging Lima Half-Mile, which presents a bigger track, pea-gravel surface, and more than half a nation separating him from his home state of California.
Is this where the rookie finally actually looks like a rookie? There will be zero shame – nor decrease in shine – if that turns out to be the case. But again, we’re not going to bet against him until someone actually proves it’s possible.
Are You Up for the Challenge?
While Tadman will need to quickly come to grips with Lima if he hopes to contend with a field loaded with riders who have a great deal more experience on the Allen County Fairgrounds circuit’s fabled cushion surface, his chances are likely provided at least something of a boost by the novel Mission Triple Challenge format that’ll keep everyone guessing on Friday night.
The three-race, expanding-length format opens up more opportunities to experiment and learn, which should play in Tadman’s favor. The fact that he’s not in the championship picture due to his midseason debut, also means he’s better positioned to swing for the fences without being overly concerned about his title chances.
Maybe that leads to a strikeout.
Or perhaps it results in a(nother) homerun.
Points Potential
While Friday and Saturday will utilize different formats, they’ll both pay full points, which means nearly 30% of the season’s points to date will be earned this weekend in Ohio.
That presents each of the AFT Singles title fight’s big three—Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R), and Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) – a chance to make a significant move with a huge weekend.
And that’s right – we’ve graduated from a big two to a big three after Brunner finished ahead of both Drane and Saathoff at the Silver Dollar Short Track to close within 14 points of the lead.
There’s equal opportunity to make a big move in the wrong direction with a disastrous weekend, and the three-race Mission Triple Challenge offers lots of ways to slip up.
Hey, that’s how it goes. Successfully navigating the unknown and stepping up when the pressure is the greatest is what winning a championship is all about.
Interestingly, it’s top-ranked Drane who may be most in need of a breakout weekend. He’s yet to win this season and—like his Mission AFT SuperTwins teammate, Dallas Daniels – despite performing at a very high level, he’s yet to match up to the stratospheric expectations he was burdened with in the preseason.
But also like Daniels, Drane returns to Lima with good memories. Last season, he fended off a surging Kody Kopp, making his escape when the two powered past a downed rider late in the race.
Lima is reminiscent of the sort of tracks Drane grew up racing on in Australia. Back-to-back races here could prove the key to unlocking the sort of form the gifted pilot has been searching for in 2025.
Delayed Gratification
There was plenty of hype for the long-awaited debut of reigning Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award winner Walker Porter (No. 100 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) prior to the Short Track at Lucas Oil Speedway.
And with its rescheduling, that long-awaited debut was made even longer-awaited, shifting the hype to this weekend’s Lima Half-Mile.
The hype exists for a reason: Porter has the potential to join Tadman in making this a rookie class for the ages.
And In This Corner…
Just like in Mission AFT SuperTwins, the Mission Triple Challenge adds an element of the unknown and a little extra opportunity for an upset. Who are the riders most likely to strike and claim a maiden Progressive AFT victory this weekend?
Fourth-ranked Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R) leads the list, having claimed his second-career podium finish a couple races back.
Santero comes in looking for redemption. That aforementioned crasher who provided Drane with the breathing space he needed to win a year ago? Yep…
The top finisher in last year’s race who is still in the field and has yet to be mentioned is another recent Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award recipient: Evan Renshaw (No. 65 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), the award’s 2023 honoree, enjoyed one the better outings of his rookie campaign by claiming sixth here a year ago. He’s upped his game by earning a first-career podium already in ‘25 and is now actively hunting a victory.
Finishing just behind him were the presently on-form Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust/ATV’s and More Yamaha YZ450F) and Tyler Raggio (No. 55 Raggio/Sluggo/Unsettled Racing KTM 450 SX-F), who could use a couple of strong finishes about now.
By the way, don’t sleep on Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Hannum’s HD/Pfanders Racing KTM 450 SX-F), who will make his pro Lima debut after sitting out most of last season due to injury
You Ask, The Riders Answer
Lima’s fanbase has a reputation for being among the most knowledgeable to be found anywhere in the nation. And they’ll have an opportunity to add to that knowledge base via the Rider Q&A session that will be included in each day’s Fan Party, which will run for approximately an hour directly preceding Opening Ceremonies.
That won’t be the only attraction keeping spectators entertained between action on track. There will be music, a bouncy house for kids, numerous vendors, and plenty of food and beverage options, along with extensive motorcycle parking.
And fans who come out a day early can watch some of the future stars of the sport perform for free with a day of amateur racing scheduled for Thursday, June 26.
Get Your Tickets Today and Save Some Cash
Fans can save $10 by purchasing their tickets in advance with prices slated to return to their standard rate starting on Wednesday, June 25. If you act fast, General Admission Bleacher tickets are still $35 each night (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult GA ticket) with Reserved Grandstand tickets $40 and Premier Reserved Grandstand $45. Meanwhile, fans who purchase the two-day ticket save an additional $5 (two-day General Admission: $65/two-day Reserved: $75/two-day Premier Reserved: $85).
Those who purchase either a Reserved ticket or a Premier Reserved ticket will have the option to add the VIP Experience upgrade for a combined $150. New for 2025, the Lima VIP Experience includes a trackside meet-and-great with dirt track legend Jared Mees, infield access for the Opening Ceremonies and heat races, all-day pit access, a climate-controlled VIP lounge, and free VIP parking.
Camping is also available at the Allen County Fairgrounds on a first-come, first-served basis. Tent Camping is free while RV/Trailer Camping, including water and electric hook-ups, is $50 per night (cash only).
To purchase Lima Half-Mile I tickets, click HERE.
To purchase Lima Half-Mile II tickets, click HERE.
And to save $5 by purchasing Friday and Saturday tickets together for the Lima Half-Mile I & II, click HERE.
Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) on both days. For more information, ticket purchases, and updates, visit www.limahalf-mile.com or call 419-991-1491
How to Watch
FloRacing
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. 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.
FS1
FOX Sports coverage of the Lima Half-Mile I, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, July 5, at 9:30 a.m. ET (6:30 a.m. PT), with the Lima Half-Mile II scheduled to air one week later, on Saturday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT).
For more information, visit www.americanflattrack.com
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