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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.
(July 13, 2020) - Following almost ten months of anticipation,
preparation, lockdown, and limbo, the 2020 American Flat Track season
is at last set to commence. The long-awaited opener will kick off the
resurrected campaign in spectacular fashion with the first of a season
of doubleheader events, the Volusia Half-Mile I & Volusia Half-Mile
II presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys on Friday, July 17, and
Saturday, July 18, at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.
The global pandemic that pushed back the season by four months has
changed the world in any number of ways, including a heightened
awareness of the safety precautions needed for spectators and
participants alike. As a result, tickets will be available in limited
numbers, there will be a pre-entry health screening to ensure fan
safety, and enhanced sanitation and cleaning protocols will be followed.
While the practice of social distancing is highly encouraged outside
the air fences, the action on track promises to be as close and intense
as ever.
The dawn of the AFT SuperTwins presented by Vance & Hines era comes
alongside a reconfigured schedule that features a heavy dosage of
Half-Miles, starting AFT’s first-ever visit to Volusia Speedway Park
for Rounds 1 & 2. That altered reality will force new Grand
National Champion Briar Bauman (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive
Insurance FTR750) to defend his #1 plate against a field stacked with
heavy hitters who sense this season may be the best chance of their
careers to earn the coveted title themselves.
It’ll be vitally important for Bauman to get out the gates quickly to
reestablish himself as the rider to beat, especially considering the
past three GNCs went to the winner of the season opener.
Bauman’s stiffest challenge will likely once again come from his fellow
Indian Wrecking Crewmen. Future Hall of Famer Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian
Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) is angling to return to his
commanding ways, while Briar’s younger brother, Bronson Bauman (No. 37
Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750), seems primed to take
the next step and emerge a genuine championship threat.
While the factory Indian Motorcycle squad has proven to be a series
juggernaut in recent seasons, the series’ historic dominator enters the
2020 fight rebuilt, refocused, and more powerful than its been in
years. Now overseen by title-winning crew chief Ricky Howerton, the
Harley Factory Flat Track Team is loaded with talent. Former Grand
National Champion Bryan Smith (No. 4 Harley-Davidson/Vance & Hines
XG750R Rev X) spearheads the effort, flanked by the up-and-coming Jarod
Vanderkooi (No. 20 Harley-Davidson/Vance & Hines XG750R Rev X) and
supremely gifted rookie Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Harley-Davidson/Vance
& Hines XG750R Rev X).
Yamaha has a pair of aces of its own in 2019 two-race winner JD Beach
(No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and ‘17 AFT Singles champ
Kolby Carlile (No. 36 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT).
In addition to the Wrecking Crew, Indian Motorcycle will again be
represented by a deep bench of potential race winners on private
FTR750s, including the likes of Brandon Robinson (No. 44 HCRR/Ben Evans
Racing Indian FTR750) and Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Coolbeth-Nila
Racing/Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas Indian FTR750).
Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys
The 2020 Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle
Attorneys class is once again a wide-open affair with reigning champion
Gaultier, ‘18 champ Dan Bromley (No. 62 Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas
Indian FTR750), and ‘17 champ Carlile all graduating to the AFT
SuperTwins class for 2020.
The aforementioned schedule reshuffle should seriously elevate the
title chances of the category’s all-time winningest rider, Shayna
Texter (No. 52 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F). But even without
a bevy of TTs to bring her back to the pack, Texter figures to be
pushed to the brink by a pair of former premier class standouts in
Mikey Rush (No. 14 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Henry Wiles (No.
17 RMR Honda/Honda Talon CRF450R).
Rush made his transition to AFT Singles competition a year ago with the
RMR squad and came through in a huge way, scoring four wins and
finishing as the championship runner-up, just six points removed from
the title.
With Rush moving over to the Estenson Racing outfit for ‘20, his slot
at RMR has been filled by Wiles. That’s a momenuntal development for
the class’ balance of power, as Wiles -- who boasts the 2009 and 2010
GNC1 Singles crowns and 26 career premier-class victories aboard
four-stroke singles -- is arguably the greatest single-cylinder racer
in American Flat Track history.
While Texter, Rush, and Wiles have been doing the business at the sharp
end for years, the class has historically been a venue for young riders
to showcase their abilities at the professional level. And it will
remain so in 2020 if 17-year-old prodigy Dallas Daniels (No. 32
Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) has anything to say about it. In just a
half-season of competition, Daniels lit the class up in year ago,
exploding onto the scene with a win, three podiums, and five top fives
in the final seven races of ‘19.
AFT Production Twins
Reigning AFT Production Twins king Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G
Racing/Roof Systems Yamaha MT-07) is back to defend his title. Texter
opened his ‘19 campaign in scintillating form, tearing off three
straight wins to start the year and then rode the wave of fast start to
the throne.
He was pushed down the stretch by four challengers who each won two
races apiece. While two of them, Gauthier and Carlile, have since moved
on to the premier class, 2019 runner-up Ryan Varnes (No. 68 Varnes
Racing/RoyBuilt Don’s Kawasaki Ninja 650) and fifth-ranked Chad Cose
(No. Wally Brown Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) are back for another
shot at the title.
The versatile James Rispoli (No. 43 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson
XG750R) promises to be a factor as well. After successfully
transitioning back to dirt track racing following a decade focused on
pavement, Rispoli should only be that much stronger in 2020 with 2000
GNC Joe Kopp serving as his crew chief.
Safety has been placed at a premium and, toward those ends, AFT has
worked closely with Volusia County health and government officials. For
more on the specific precautions being taken at Rounds I & II,
please view the event FAQ sheet.
While ticket sales are being limited to promote a safe atmosphere and
allow for proper social distancing, fans looking to attend the highly
anticipated 2020 American Flat Track doubleheader opener can purchase
tickets for the Volusia Half-Mile I at store.americanflattrack.com and
the Volusia Half-Mile II at store.americanflattrack.com.
General Admission tickets start at just $25, and, as always, kids 12
and under are admitted for free in the General Admission area with the
purchase of an adult GA ticket. Additionally, fans who purchase both
days in advance will be offered a multi-day discount, which takes $10
off each pair of Friday/Saturday General Admission tickets. Multiple
upgraded ticket options are also available to choose from.
While the Premium and Reserved Hook-Up camping spaces have sold out, a
limited number of General Admission weekend camping passes remain. Fans
are encouraged to reserve their spots now at
store.americanflattrack.com.
Gates will open for fans at 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT on Friday and
2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT on Saturday with the Main Event programs
slated to begin shortly after 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT both nights.
Live coverage of the entire weekend’s racing activities will be
available on any device for less than $1 per event via TrackPass on NBC
Sports Gold. Live streaming for Friday, July 17 will begin at 4:30 p.m.
ET (1:30 p.m. PT) and Saturday, July 18 at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m.
PT).
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 9, 2020) - Don't miss tonight's episode of The AFT Show presented by
VP Racing Fuels, the Official Spec Fuel Supplier of American Flat Track.
Join the voice of AFT, Scottie Deubler, as he reconvenes with AFT CEO Michael Lock
for a rundown on all the exciting developments for the 2020 season, now just eight days away!
Updated 2020 American Flat Track Schedule as of June 29th
1. July 17 (Fri): Volusia Half-Mile I - Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL
2. July 18 (Sat): Volusia Half-Mile II - Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL
POSTPONED 3. July 31 (Fri): Lima Half-Mile I - Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, OH POSTPONED
POSTPONED 4. August 1 (Sat): Lima Half-Mile II - Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, OH POSTPONED
5. August 28 (Fri): TBA, Northeast U.S.
6. August 29 (Sat): TBA, Northeast U.S.
7. September 5 (Sat): Springfield Mile I** - Illinois State Fairgrounds - Springfield, IL
8. September 6 (Sun): Springfield Mile II - Illinois State Fairgrounds - Springfield, IL
9. September 11 (Fri):Williams Grove Half-Mile I - Williams Grove Speedway - Mechanicsburg, PA
10. September 12 (Sat): Williams Grove Half-Mile II - Williams Grove Speedway - Mechanicsburg, PA
Devil's Bowl Speedway for the 2020 Dallas Half-Mile I and Dallas Half-Mile II doubleheader
weekend on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26
11. September 25 (Fri): TBA, TX
12. September 26 (Sat): TBA, TX
13. October 2 (Fri): Atlanta Short Track I - Dixie Speedway - Woodstock, GA
14. October 3 (Sat): Atlanta Short Track II - Dixie Speedway - Woodstock, GA
The 2020 Charlotte Half-Mile doubleheader races will run Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10
on the same weekend as the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400.
This three-day racing extravaganza will be the first time in history these two historic motorsports
will run races in the same market, at the same venue, on the same weekend.
15. October 9 (Fri): TBA, NC
16. October 10 (Sat): TBA, NC
17. October 15 (Thu): AFT Season Finale I - Daytona Beach, FL
18. October 16 (Fri): AFT Season Finale II - Daytona Beach, FL
SCFTA Flat Track racing is just one of the racing
venues to benefit from the transition from print publishing to Super
Digital for S&S Off Road Magazine. In response to the covid induced
shutdown of the nation, for the first time in 38 years, S&S
Publishing chose not to print a hard copy of the magazine for their
current issue, but instead replaced it with the Super Digital version,
nearly tripling the page count. Filled with full color photos
depicting off road fun for every type of vehicle it also includes the
popular reader photo feature “What I Did During the COVID-19 Shutdown.”
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Access the interactive digital edition with live links and videos at:
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January 21-25, 2020
Lodi Cycle Bowl
Night Before The Mile
August 9, 2019
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Lodi Motorcycle Club
at Sacramento Mile
August 11, 2019
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SCFTA Framer Shootout - Perris - May 10, 2019
DIGGER HELM MEMORIAL
West Coast Dirt Track Series
WILLOW SPRINGS - Sunday May 5, 2019
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DIGGER HELM MEMORIAL
West Coast Dirt Track Series
WILLOW SPRINGS - Saturday May 4, 2019
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