The 2026 American Flat Track season resumes this weekend with the inaugural Caterpillar Nashville Short Track in Hohenwald, Tennessee, June 6.
Daytona Beach, FL (June 3, 2026) – The 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, resumes this weekend with the inaugural Caterpillar Nashville Short Track presented by Memphis Shades at Sons of Speed Nashville Short Track in Hohenwald, Tennessee, this Saturday, June 6.
It’s not just the first-ever stop at the venue formerly known as Tennessee National Raceway, this weekend will mark the Grand National Championship’s first visit to the Volunteer State in 17 years. It’s a welcome return for America’s Original Extreme Sport® considering the state’s proud motorsports heritage along with its extensive collection of some of the finest motorcycle roads to be found anywhere in the nation.
Meeting the Moment
The early-season advantages that Mission AFT SuperTwins points leader Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) and reigning Grand National Champion Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) stacked up on Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Jacob Construction/Parts Plus Harley-Davidson XG750R) have nearly vanished.
What had been point differences of 26 and 22 in favor of Kopp and Daniels, respectively, now stand at just nine and two.
Bauman has completely flipped the script with his recent run of form and must be considered the pre-race favorite heading into any given round shorter than a Mile until proven otherwise. He comes into this weekend with three consecutive wins in tow, a streak that has elevated him into a tie for sixth all-time on the career wins list alongside Kenny Coolbeth, Jr., at 37. And he’s quickly zeroing in on the top five with the legendary Ricky Graham now just two wins away.
Don’t expect Bauman to ease up now. The Caterpillar Nashville Short Track stands as the sixth of seven STs on the calendar, and the Rick Ware Racing star has dominated the discipline as of late.
With 13 Short Track wins to his name, Bauman boasts four more than any other rider in Grand National Championship history. That unprecedented tally has been assembled in large part since first throwing his leg over the Harley-Davidson XG750R at the start of 2025, having won eight of the last 11 STs dating back to early last season.
While momentum is quite obviously on Bauman’s side, the padding Kopp and Daniels earned over the opening three rounds served its purpose, as Bauman still ranks third even with three successive wins on his side.
They will have used the extended layoff granted with the rescheduling of the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile to regroup and reset. And this weekend in Nashville represents an ideal opportunity to meet the challenge that’s been presented. It’s new to all involved–a stark contrast to Williams Grove where Bauman has shined in previous stops–making it as good a place as any to make a stand.
All Aboard
“Freight Train” Logan McGrane (No. 14 Schaffers MotorSports/RVR KTM 790 Duke) has been on an upward trajectory this season, boasting both his career-best Progressive AFT Main Event finish (eighth at the Ventura ST) and a top-10 Mission AFT SuperTwins championship ranking.
McGrane stepped up to the premier class in 2024 with relatively little Progressive AFT experience under his belt, having qualified for just four Kicker AFT Singles Mains with no top-ten finishes.
That doesn’t mean he was lacking professional race experience or success, however, considering that McGrane is a four-time World Championship ICE Racing Series champ.
Ironically, McGrane may have enjoyed his biggest leap yet in terms of the average fan’s estimation of his abilities despite leaving Budds Creek with a 14-place finish–his worst Main Event result of the ’26 season.
By the time the Main Event rolled around, he’d already won–literally and figuratively. McGrane accomplished that by earning a front-row grid position and entry in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.
Once there, he didn’t back down despite lining up next to Daniels, Bauman, and long-time multi-class ace Chad Cose (No. 49 Parker Racing/Pro Roofing Yamaha MT-07). The opposite in fact–McGrane stormed past Daniels to claim the upset win, and then turned around to let ’em know.
Besides bolstering his own reputation, McGrane also did well to honor the memory of a fellow Pennsylvanian, the late Ryan Varnes, whose legacy he represents on the RVR KTM 790 Duke.
VDK
Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) will be back in the mix this weekend after making his season debut at Budds Creek where he rode in place of the injured Brandon Robinson on the Mission Roof Systems Harley.
Despite his absence to start the season, few have forgotten about VanDerKooi’s skills. Those few who did were reminded at Budds Creek, even if somewhat obscured by rust and mechanical misfortune.
Until getting struck down by a late-race bike issue, “VDK” was all set for a sixth-place ride despite still in the process of shaking things down.
With some more seat time and a bit more luck, a return to the podium is not beyond his reach.
The Roller Coaster
Nine points separate first from third in the Mission AFT SuperTwins points.
43 points separate third from fourth.
That difference is largely down not to outright speed but consistency.
Consider the following collection of premier-class contenders:
- Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet)
- Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke)
- Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust Advisors Harley-Davidson XG750R)
- Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Roof Systems KTM 790 Duke)
- Hunter Bauer (No. 24 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07)
- Chad Cose (No. 49 Parker Racing/Pro Roofing Yamaha MT-07)
All six of them have finished inside the top five this year, with podiums for Fisher, RoosEvans, and Cose.
On the flipside, all six have also finished outside the top ten or failed to qualify for a Main Event.
Those swings have arguably been most pronounced in the case of Fisher – who is routinely as quick as Kopp, Daniels, and Bauman but also burdened by a pair of 15th-place finishes, multiple trips to the LCQ, and without a remaining provisional start.
And what about Cose? His best finish of the season was a 13th until he blasted his way to third last time out to pick up his first premier-class podium since achieving his first-ever premier-class podium some eight seasons back.
The depth of talent lining the Mission AFT SuperTwins grid this season has created the conditions that have led to increased volatility. Even making the Main can be a struggle, let alone breaking into the top ten.
Regardless, the top three are out of sight at this point. It would take some massive happenings indeed for anyone else to work their way into genuine Grand National Championship contention.
However, fourth is ripe for the taking should any of the above manage to start stringing together strong results with increased frequency.
Life In the Fast Lane
The Caterpillar Nashville Short Track presented by Memphis Shades is a unique collaboration between Progressive AFT and Billy Lane’s Sons of Speed racing series, a vintage flat track competition inspired by the board track racing era of the 1910s and ‘20s.
Lane–who will serve as the event’s Grand Marshal–is renowned for his innovative and evocative designs at Choppers Inc, his iconic appearances on “Biker Build Off” and “Monster Garage,” and his passion for pushing the limits of speed and style.
With four decades of custom bike building experience behind him, Lane founded Sons of Speed to pay tribute to the daring early years of American motorcycle racing when Harley-Davidson, Indian, Excelsior, and Pope went bar-to-bar on massive wooden board tracks all across the nation.
Sons of Speed has exploded in popularity since its 2017 debut, and Progressive American Flat Track fans will have a perfect opportunity to find out why for themselves.
The weekend will feature a full slate of Sons of Speed competition featuring the raw power and style of vintage 1000cc V-twins and 750cc American flatheads. The vintage heats are scheduled for Thursday with finals on Friday ahead of Saturday’s Progressive AFT action.
Kicker AFT Singles Title Fight Intensifies in Tennessee
A newly energized Kicker AFT Singles title fight arrives for the Caterpillar Nashville Short Track presented by Memphis Shades, as Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, makes its first-ever visit to Sons of Speed Nashville Short Track in Hohenwald, Tennessee, on Saturday, June 6.
Title Fight Reignited
Defending Kicker AFT Singles champion Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) comes in fresh off his worst result in nearly two seasons. Of course, the Australian’s worst result was a fifth, a finish that would represent a genuine accomplishment for any number of skilled riders.
Despite that relative dip in form, Drane entered ThrottleFest with a 16-point advantage and left leading by the exact same margin.
How? While the difference remained the same, the names under it have changed.
Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Yamaha YZ450F) came away even worse than Drane by placing eighth, dropping him down from second to fourth, now 19 points in arrears.
Meanwhile, archnemesis Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) stayed in third but cut his deficit from 20 points to 17 by finishing third at Budds Creek.
The big mover, of course, was race winner Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), who leapt up from fourth to second, slashing his gap down from 26 to 16.
Drane’s consistent excellence has established him as a dominant figure in the class, and his championship style is akin to an Australian scrub python steadily tightening its grip. However, his uncharacteristically quiet fifth in Maryland provides a ray of hope for his rivals, all of whom will be looking to pounce this weekend.
Talent Travels
Tadman scored a couple of landmark achievements at ThrottleFest. He joined Drane as the only other two-race winner this season, while claiming both his first win away from his home state and his first at a Half Mile.
(Incidentally, his career record of one HM victory puts him on par with fellow title hopefuls Saathoff and Brunner).
Despite its novelty, the win didn’t come as a major upset. The sort of magic Tadman previously showcased in Ventura and Chico was no fluke, rather merely indicative of what he’s capable of when feeling at home and comfortable.
The fact that he was able to do the same at Budds Creek is clear evidence that he’s starting to feel at home and comfortable with Turner Racing and aboard the Honda CRF450R.
The possibility that may begin to tap into the full extent of his talent with greater regularity is a scary prospect for his competition, and one that could make Drane’s ongoing title defense a bit more harrowing.
As Good as a Win?
Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) currently holds the unofficial title of the most decorated Kicker AFT Singles pilot without a Main Event victory. That’s a semi-dubious distinction that is to simultaneously be worn with pride and shed as quickly as possible.
However, it seems unlikely that a straightforward front-row-to-checkered-flag victory could have done as much good for Santero’s reputation as his crash-to-back-row-to-runner-up result at Budds Creek.
The Californian somehow made short work of the world’s elite 450cc riders despite wielding a damaged bike on a one-lined circuit. And one or two more laps might have been all he needed to put Tadman on the victim’s list as well.
It was an unquestioned win in terms of his standing among fans and rivals. An actual victory has to be soon in the offing, doesn’t it?
The same could be said of a maiden professional podium for Tadman’s teammate, Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R).
The second-year pilot is slowly but surely becoming a fixture at the front. Back-to-back fourths have him on the doorstep and a top three would likely already be his by now with a little better run of fortune.
Restart
The three-week layoff between ThrottleFest and the Caterpillar Nashville Short Track provides Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F) and Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Eisenhard Racing/Pags Powersports KTM 450 SX-F) an opportunity to reset mentally and come in prepared to put once-promising seasons back on track.
Both riders came out swinging in ‘26. Eisenhard was one of the heroes of the DAYTONA opener, where he threw down the fastest lap in qualifying, won his heat, and scored a top-five result in Thursday’s Main. Pfanders took his turn in the spotlight the following day, breaking through to claim his maiden Progressive AFT victory.
But both come into Tennessee hoping to rediscover that early-season form. It’s been a rough run of late for the two, with Pfanders coming off consecutive finishes of 16th, 16th, and DNS, while Eisenhard hasn’t returned to the top ten since the opener.
The speed is there. The results should follow. A chance to go to work at a track that’s new to everyone might just prove the key.
Brothers Gotta Hug
ThrottleFest delivered a very cool moment involving identical twins Dylan Cunningham (No. 252 Scott Stump/Joel Laub KTM 450 SX-F) and Tyler Cunningham (No. 225 Scott Stump/Joel Laub KTM 450 SX-F).
Both Cunninghams have been fighting hard to qualify for a Kicker AFT Singles Main Event since the beginning of the ’25 season. And following a number of near-misses, Dylan managed to do exactly that with a second-place run in the LCQ at the Budds Creek Half Mile.
No one was more thrilled to see it happen than Tyler, who finished fifth in the LCQ–one spot short of qualifying for the Main himself.
Tyler raced up next to Dylan and pumped his fist in excitement, brushing off whatever disappointment he may have felt to celebrate the accomplishment of his brother.
Dylan made the most of it too–racing his way to a top-10 finish in his first-career Kicker AFT Singles Main Event.
And you have to think that only fueled Tyler’s fire that much more.
Step Right Up
The 1st Impressions Husqvarna pro squad is now three strong with Jett Katarzy (No. 117 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) stepping up to Kicker AFT Singles duty alongside Saathoff and Jack Brucks (No. 113 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450).
Katarzy certainly looked like he already belonged in just his first event as a professional. He registered impressive times throughout the day and won the LCQ to qualify for a Kicker AFT Singles Main in his very first attempt.
At the same time, Katarzy’s immediate success provides some additional motivation for his now-former AFT ProSport 450 rivals, many of whom will look to graduate up to the pro ranks themselves in the not-too-distant future.
That list includes Adam Costan-Wood (No. 88 Turner Racing Honda CRF450R) who beat Katarzy to win at Silver Dollar Speedway, along with Bayne Nantz (No. 313 Nantz Bros Racing KTM 450 SX-F) who finished second to him at Ventura Raceway before winning over Costan-Wood at ThrottleFest.
The fact that AFT ProSport 450 is already turning a number of promising amateurs into familiar names for Progressive AFT fans and springboarding them into Kicker AFT Singles competition serves as clear evidence that the new category is doing exactly what it was designed to do.
The AFT ProSport 450 competitors will have another chance to impress this weekend as the class is set to contest its penultimate round of the ’26 season at the Caterpillar Nashville Short Track.
BTR is Back
The Caterpillar Nashville Short Track also represents the penultimate round of the 2026 Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. (BTR) program, now deep into its seventh season of highlighting, celebrating, and encouraging the involvement of women in flat track racing.
Emma Gottsch (No. 5 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars) will look to extend her perfect season following three straight wins to open the year.
Despite her unblemished record, however, the victories haven’t all come easily. Triple runner-up Julia Heess (No. 13 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars) gave Gottsch all she could handle last time out.
Meanwhile, Madicela Rodriguez (No. 113 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars) and Hanna Brewer (No. 39 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars) have their own fight for third raging as the series prepares to contest the fourth of five 2026 events.
Life In the Fast Lane
The Caterpillar Nashville Short Track presented by Memphis Shades is a unique collaboration between Progressive AFT and Billy Lane’s Sons of Speed racing series, a vintage flat track competition inspired by the board track racing era of the 1910s and ‘20s.
Lane, who will serve as the event’s Grand Marshal, is renowned for his innovative and evocative designs at Choppers Inc, his iconic appearances on “Biker Build Off” and “Monster Garage,” and his passion for pushing the limits of speed and style.
With four decades of custom bike building experience behind him, Lane founded Sons of Speed to pay tribute to the daring early years of American motorcycle racing when Harley-Davidson, Indian, Excelsior, and Pope went bar-to-bar on massive wooden board tracks all across the nation.
Sons of Speed has exploded in popularity since its 2017 debut, and Progressive American Flat Track fans will have a perfect opportunity to find out why for themselves.
The weekend will feature a full slate of Sons of Speed competition featuring the raw power and style of vintage 1000cc V-twins and 750cc American flatheads. The vintage heats are scheduled for Thursday, with the Sons of Speed finals and CTR Mission Showcase event set for Friday to lead into Saturday’s Progressive AFT show.
Fans can watch Friday’s CTR races live on FansChoice.tv beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET.
For more information, visit https://www.americanflattrack.com/
