2025 American Flat Track will at last arrive in Wheatland, Missouri, for the inaugural Short Track at Lucas Oil Speedway this Friday, July 18.
This is a race preview from AFT…
Daytona Beach, FL (July 15, 2025) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will at last arrive in Wheatland, Missouri, for the inaugural Short Track at Lucas Oil Speedway this Friday, July 18.
Back Again for the Very First Time
Originally scheduled for early June, inclement weather forced a mid-July return for the Grand National Championship. Everything stated ahead of the postponed round regarding the series’ 20th all-time visit to Missouri still holds true.
Progressive AFT will finally make its debut appearance at the spectacular Lucas Oil Speedway, which is well established as a Midwestern mecca of four-wheel dirt track racing. Known as the “Diamond of Dirt Tracks,” Lucas Oil Speedway boasts a 3/8-mile clay oval, a 1.2-mile off-road track, a go-kart circuit, and Lake Lucas for drag-boat racing.
The facilities and amenities are equally impressive, making the venue a most deserving setting to play host to the world’s greatest motorcycle dirt track racers on Friday night.
AFT SuperTwins
Halfway Home and Right Back Where We Started
With eight races down and eight races to go, the Mission AFT SuperTwins title fight is currently separated by the second tiebreaker.
Prior to the start of the season, there was some concern that the series—which is typically defined by its trademark close-fought title fights—might be forced to take a temporary hiatus from that status.
Despite winning a record ten premier-class titles, Jared Mees usually did so in nail-biting fashion, his blowout championship wins in ‘17 and ‘18 being very much the exception. In fact, Mees spent nine of the last eleven years of his career locked in highly competitive and endlessly entertaining championship battles.
The last six of those were spent attempting to first fend off Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R) and then later Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT).
The introduction of an all-production-based ruleset in 2025 led many to believe that – while the right move for the series for the long term – there could be some short-term pain associated with it coming in the form of the potential dominant pairing of Daniels and his well-developed Yamaha MT-07 DT.
That has not been the case.
As brilliant as Daniels has been (as evidenced by 21 straight podiums), Bauman has been equally so. Mees’ former foils have found each other and are now actively assembling their own rivalry – one that could potentially define the series for the next decade or so.
Just how evenly matched did the Daniels/Yamaha and Bauman/Harley combos prove to be over the season’s opening half?
162 points for Bauman. 162 points for Daniels.
Four wins for Bauman. Four wins for Daniels.
Beyond that, Bauman currently holds the tiebreaker with three runners-up to Daniels’ two.
Meanwhile, Daniels has the slight edge in consistency, with a worst result of third to Bauman’s fifth – the only result for either rider to end up off the box all year long.
A look ahead at the eight remaining races suggests an equally fierce second half. It’s easy to project minor advantages for one or the other at specific tracks, but it’s nearly impossible to discern an obvious window for either to shake free of the other.
Production Rules Have Proven as Productive as Predicted
While Bauman and Daniels have turned this into a two-rider fight at the top of the points standings, there has been plenty of shine to go around, both for other riders and for other manufacturers.
While still seeking his first win on the XG750R, Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) has reliably been the third-best rider on the scene, and it seems only a matter of time before he finally puts the #44 Harley on top of the box.
James Ott (No. 19 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07) and Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Corbin/OTB Racing Yamaha MT-07) joined Daniels to complete a Yamaha lock-out of the podium at DuQuoin, proving beyond any shadow of doubt that Daniels and Estenson Racing are not the only ones who can turn the MT-07 into a formidable flat tracker.
Worries that KTM would lose relevance in Mission AFT SuperTwins due to the defection of Bauman and Rick Ware Racing to Harley’s camp have shown to be ill-founded as a result of the respective performances of Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Fastrack Racing/Wally Brown Racing KTM 790 Duke). While both riders come into Lucas Oil Speedway looking for a bounce-back effort, they’ve enjoyed some stellar moments early in the days on the KTM. Fisher ranks fourth in the points on the strength of a runner-up, third, and four top-four finishes, while VDK is fifth with a third, a fourth, and a fifth.
Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Progressive Insurance Honda Transalp) has consistently demonstrated the promise of Honda’s entry in the premier class, logging three sixths already in his first-full season of premier-class competition.
Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Suzuki GSX-8S), meanwhile, has been spectacular on the Suzuki on more than one occasion. While he does have a fourth and a fifth to show for his efforts, he’s flashed podium-caliber speed on the GSX-8S.
Max Whale (No. 18 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) has already finished inside the top five in the first half of his first season with Royal Enfield. And like Bromley, Whale has shown there is room for further growth with moments suggesting there is plenty more to come.
And don’t forget about Kawasaki. Henry Wiles (No. 911 J&M Logging/Ray C’s Harley-Davidson Kawasaki Ninja 650) put a Ninja on the box at the season opener. And more recently, Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Racing Unlimited/Parts Bros/D&D Cycles Kawasaki Ninja 650) piloted one to sixth last time out at DuQuoin.
Pretty much everyone above should only improve with more time to adapt and dial in their equipment.
Eight down and eight to go? Bring it on.
AFT Singles
Drane Versus Saathoff Returns to Centerstage
A heated battle atop the AFT Singles presented by Kicker standings arrives with Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, as it makes its Wheatland, Missouri, debut for the first-ever Short Track at Lucas Oil Speedway on Friday, July 18.
…And in This Corner…
Entering the 2025 season, all eyes were on presumed 450cc title fighters Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R).
As it went, the class’ three-time but not-defending champion, Kody Kopp (No. 1 Bob Lanphere/KTM/Fastrack Racing KTM 450 SX-F), wasn’t quite ready to relinquish the spotlight, claiming double victory at the season opener during DAYTONA Bike Week.
And then rookie sensation Kage Tadman (No. 288 Roof Systems/Old Oak Ranch KTM 450 SX-F) came from seemingly nowhere to upend the class’ power hierarchy with a pair of stunning wins in his first two attempts.
But now as the season opens its second half – Drane and Saathoff have returned to centerstage.
Drane is absolutely rolling, having secured three victories in succession while soaring up the class’ career leaderboards in multiple categories.
Saathoff, meanwhile, has been nearly as quick, and, as a result, remains the only rider left in the chase who sits within single-race striking distance.
And it’s not just that the two are finally proving themselves the class of the field as expected, there’s also the undeniable heat to their rivalry.
The fact that they are as well matched in terms of speed and skill as they are has naturally created multiple chances for on-track clashes throughout their young careers. Those chances have resulted in crashes of both the near and actual variety, along with heightened emotion and exchanged words.
While a chummier paddock than most, rivalry is very much a feature of the sport. And any number of champions over the years have found the benefit in viewing their adversaries as, well, adversaries. Some might even argue that the legendary Jared Mees sought ways to make it so, as his prior and resumed friendships with the likes of Bryan Smith and Briar Bauman were put on temporary hold during the peak of their times as competing title fighters.
Fortunately, both Drane and Saathoff are mature beyond their years and calculated in their respective approaches. So long as everything stays above board, the past drama only makes the prospect of their future battles that much more intriguing.
Rookies Rising
Along with Kopp’s successful send-off and the evolution of Drane vs. Saathoff, the third major story of the season has been the bumper crop of rookies.
Tadman is the headliner with those remarkable back-to-back wins in his first two professional events. However, he is far from alone.
Walker Porter (No. 100 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) hit the ground running despite jumping in near midseason. The 2024 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award winner showed himself to be a top-five talent in his debut weekend, and he has the ability to do much more than that as the second half of the season plays out.
Meanwhile, Ryder Reese (No. 244 Mission Foods/Roof Systems KTM 450 SX-F) made his Progressive AFT debut the same weekend as Porter. And despite being lost in the long shadows cast by Tadman and Porter, he also came away with a top ten in his first weekend as a pro.
That same feat was pulled off earlier in the season, when Ethan Kitchen (No. 105 Lucky Thumb M/C Yamaha YZ450F) did it at the Daytona opener.
And finally, there’s Skylar Sentell (No. 249 Hoffer Performance/Stauffer Motors KTM 450 SX-F), who finished tenth at the Lima Half-Mile II – a race that featured four rookies in the top ten.
There are some other quick first-year riders in the field who continue to get closer and closer to making their mark as well.
The sport’s future is not just coming. It’s already here.
Emergence Day
Between Drane/Saathoff and the rookies is a healthy next group, with any number of contenders hoping to make the leap to the front.
Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) is the hardest to place because he’s somewhere between that first and next group. While he did defeat Drane to take the checkered flag in the Lima Half-Mile I Mission Triple Challenge Race II, Brunner is still seeking his first official race victory of 2025. You have to think it’s coming – he’s yet to go winless in four prior seasons in the class despite battling with the likes of Dallas Daniels and Kody Kopp over that span.
Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R) has been the next best. He’s taken yet another step forward with a pair of podium finishes in ‘25. That said, he’s got to make another big jump in order to become a regular thorn in the sides of the leading duo.
Beyond Brunner and Santero, you have the likes of Evan Renshaw (No. 65 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust/ATV’s and More Yamaha YZ450F), Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Hannum’s HD/Pfanders Racing KTM 450 SX-F), Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R/Little Debbie Racing Honda CRF450R), and Hunter Bauer (No. 24 Vinson Construction/Reel Medics Yamaha YZ450F) – all of whom seem to take turns in demonstrating genuine brilliance but none of whom have yet to find a way to channel it consistently.
But AFT Singles is the class where bouts of inconsistency can get ironed out and done so in a hurry.
Go Party, Go Play, and Go Kart
Fans who come out to the track on Friday night will find no shortage of entertainment options beyond just the world-class racing.
The Fan Party – complete with a Rider Q&A session – will run from 5:00 p.m. local time right up until Opening Ceremonies at 7:00 p.m.
Those in attendance will also have a chance to take advantage of the on-site go-karting, the Diamond Bar, DJ’d music, a multitude of vendors lining the midway, Jumbotron viewing, designated motorcycle parking, and a variety of food and beverage options.
Seats, Suites and Fan Experiences
General Admission Grandstand tickets for the Short Track at Lucas Oil Speedway are just $25 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult ticket), while Reserved Grandstand tickets are available for $40 (all ages). Students can purchase a GA Grandstand ticket for just $20 at the gate the day of the event with a valid ID.
There are multiple options to enjoy the facility’s 21 VIP Luxury Suites, starting with an Individual Suite ticket ($99), which includes a private outdoor box seat along with access to the indoor lounge.
Private Indoor Suites are available for groups of up to 18 ($2000) and 27 ($3000), both of which include infield group experience with a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line, photo op included, and early race viewing from the infield.
Also available for purchase is the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($99), which includes reserved seating, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line, photo op included, and up-close viewing of Opening Ceremonies and a portion of the night’s race action.
Finally, fans have the option to purchase the Practice Viewing Trackside Fan Experience as a $25 upgrade to a GA Grandstand or Reserved Grandstand ticket, which provides a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line, photo op included, and up-close viewing of a practice session.
Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2025-lucas-oil-short-track-141381 to reserve your seats today.
Gates will open for fans at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
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 Short Track at Lucas Oil Speedway, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, August 10, at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT).
For more information, visit www.americanflattrack.com
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