It was a night of firsts asProgressive American Flat Trackenjoyed an epic evening of racing at theMission Red Mile I presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexingtonin Lexington, Kentucky.
Following 14 minutes and two laps of nail-biting action in front of the massive Red Mile crowd,Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S CyclerookieDallas Daniels(No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) officially added his name to the exclusive list of premier-class Main Event winners.
But prior to Daniels’ exhilaration, it was heartbreak for teammateJD Beach(No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). Beach had established himself the rider to beat in the lead-up to the Main, but he was unlucky to be forced out by mechanical issues a couple minutes into the race.
That left reigning championJared Mees(No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750), Daniels, andMission Production Twins ChallengeentrantJames Rispoli(No. 43 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 890 Duke) to battle it out in the lead pack.
The trend of heartbreak continued a couple of minutes later when the machine ofBronson Bauman(No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) dumped oil on the circuit while running fourth, forcing a red flag stoppage near half-distance.
The race resumed with Mees, Daniels, and Rispoli sitting 1-2-3, andBrandon Robinson(No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) joining the lead group in fourth. While Rispoli took a peak on a few occasions, it was Mees and Daniels who traded back first and second for the remainder of the contest.
Mees lined up Daniels and made what he hoped would be the race’s decisive maneuver entering Turn 3 for the final time. He pulled it off perfectly and seemed destined to keep his perfect Red Mile streak intact, right up until the final moment when Daniels blasted by at the stripe to steal away the win by 0.008 seconds.
The victory was not only Daniels’ first in the premier class, it was also Yamaha’s first on a Mile going all the way back to Kenny Roberts’ legendary victory aboard the TZ750 at the 1975 Indy Mile. Daniels also became the first rookie to win in the premier class since Mikey Rush won at Daytona in 2007 and the first rookie to win on a Mile since Scott Parker did so at Indy in 1979.
“I can’t believe I won a Grand National,” Daniels said. “I’ve been dreaming of this my whole life. It’s been a long road for me and the team. Those guys have worked their butts off. It’s been a long road since they started, and I know this is so rewarding for them.
“Taking my dad on that victory lap… I’ve been talking about that since I was like eight years old. We did it… It’s awesome!”
Rispoli held on for third to become the firstMission Production Twins Challengerider to land on the Mission SuperTwins podium and add to what was already an incredible debut for the WBR KTM.
Robinson came home fourth, followed by anotherMission Production Twins Challengepilot inBen Lowe(No. 25 Mission Foods/Roof Systems Yamaha MT-07) to complete the top five.
Jarod Vanderkooi(No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) was sixth, followed by an uncharacteristically quietBriar Bauman(No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750).Davis Fisher(No. 67 Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750),Jesse Janisch(No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R), andRobert Pearson(No. 27 Rackley Racing/John Franklin Indian FTR750) rounded out the top ten.
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
If anyone forgot just how dominantJames Rispoli(No. 43 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 890 Duke) was at times when he won the 2020Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hineschampionship, he provided a most compelling reminder on Saturday night.
Rispoli made his return to the class at the Red Mile to debut the WBR KTM 890 Duke and did so in style. He not only made the bike a winner, he did so in runaway fashion, leading from start to finish.
The only rider who even managed to keep him honest wasJesse Janisch(No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R). Janisch clung on behind him just outside the draft, but he never managed to present a realistic challenge to Rispoli’s position at the front.
After claiming the win, Rispoli said, “The Wally Brown Racing team has a wealth of experience. They’re smart guys. We took the common sense route and they built a phenomenal package. KTM built a great platform, but these guys found a way to get that horsepower to the ground. I’m so pumped. I’m stoked to return to Mission Production Twins, and to win? I’m stoked.”
While Rispoli may have had a drama-free run to victory, the battle for the final spot on the podium was most entertaining. A tight five-rider pack made up of the returningMichael Rush(No. 15 Hellipower Racing/Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R),Ryan Varnes(No. 68 Schaeffer’s Motorsports/Rausch Fuel & Oil KTM 890 Duke),Ben Lowe(No. 25 Mission Foods/Roof Systems Yamaha MT-07),Cory Texter(No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07), andNick Armstrong(No. 60 Competitive Racing Frames/Lessley Brothers Yamaha MT-07).
Among a great deal of shuffling, points leader Armstrong systematically made his way from seventh to third, but went off the groove and dropped right back to seventh, erasing all his hard work.
Defending champion Texter did what he does and emerged late as he and Lowe scrapped for third over the final two laps. Ultimately, Texter took the position by 0.122 to further a three-race podium streak. However, he’s still three points back of Armstrong in the championship chase after Armstrong clawed his way back up to fifth at the flag.
Varnes finished sixth with Rush taking seventh, a welcome result in his return ride after suffering a serious leg injury in last year’s finale.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Combining theParts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKERclass and a big Mile racetrack is typically the recipe for an ultra-tight pack war. Saturday’s showdown was no exception.
As many as eight riders were in with a shot for victory deep into the race before a couple of them went off the groove, leaving a six-rider shootout on the race’s final lap.
The on-formMorgen Mischler(No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) did his best to control the chaotic affair from the front and it paid off with a 0.053 seconds margin of victory.
While Mischler regularly traded the lead with teammateDalton Gauthier(No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) for much of the contest, the final sprint came down to him, title rivalKody Kopp(No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), andTrent Lowe(No. 48 Mission Foods/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda CRF450R).
Mischler opened the final lap in the lead and made the most of his Honda’s horsepower to just fend off his challengers.
The win was Mischler’s first ever on a Mile as he continues to increasingly prove himself a well-rounded title contender. He said, “The puzzle pieces are fitting, and I see us just getting better with everything the team has been putting into it. For me, it’s just a matter of me doing my job.”
Despite just missing out on the win, Kopp continues to lead the championship on the strength of an early season that has seen him finish no worse than second.
Kopp’s teammateMax Whale(No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), finished off the podium for the first time this season with a fourth-place effort. Gauthier, who is dealing with a partially torn ACL and MCL finished fifth, whileTrevor Brunner(No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) finished sixth, just 0.420 seconds off the win, despite being forced to start from the back of the pack after using a provisional start to earn a spot in the Main.
TheMission Red Mile Iwill premiere onFS1on Sunday, June 5, at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT, including exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.
Next Up:
Progressive AFT will be back on track at the Red Mile today to conclude the Mission Red Mile doubleheader. Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT ahead of the evening’s Main Event program. Secure your tickets now athttps://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3723/.
You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities onFansChoice.tv. FansChoice.tv provides free-to-view livestreaming of Practice and Qualifying. FansChoice.tv subscribers will then be able to watch the drama unfold from Opening Ceremonies through the Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations. FansChoice.tv offers two subscription options, granting unlimited access to premium AFT content. Monthly subscriptions start at just $7.99, while a six-month subscription is available for $44.99.
For more information on Progressive AFT visithttps://www.americanflattrack.com.
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store athttps://store.americanflattrack.com.
How to Watch:
FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed athttps://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round can watch livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round athttp://www.FansChoice.tv.
About Me: Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway almost 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of travelling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week. Adam has spent the last three years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.Be sure to tune in for his weekly sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network.
- NHRA announces eight-race schedule for 2024 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series - January 17, 2024
- Forgeline and Pratt Miller Motorsports Announce New Multi-Year Partnership - January 17, 2024
- TAG Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein converts narrow pole to commanding win in the Season 10 opener of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship at the 2024 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix - January 16, 2024