Reigning 2017 AFT champion repeats in Daytona
Daytona Beach, Fla., Mar. 16—Indian Motorcycle Racing and reigning 2017 American Flat Track Champion Jared Mees, aboard his Scout FTR750, repeat with another win at the Daytona TT. Along with Mees, a total of five Indian Scout FTR750 riders finished inside the top 10, including Brad Baker, Kenny Coolbeth Jr., Bryan Smith and Rob Pearson.
Winning both his heat race and semi-final event, Mees began the main event from the second starting position. He was one of several riders pushing at the front of the pack in the first few laps and made passes to get into second. In a move that reminded race fans of why he’s earned the nickname “Jammer,” Mees made a bold move at the jump, taking an aggressive inside line with his Scout FTR750, actually making contact with Baker to literally wrestle away the lead—a lead he would never relinquish.
“It’s awesome to come back here to Daytona and repeat. My team had the Indian Scout FTR750 dialed in,” said Mees. “It’s a long season, so to start out with a win and get an early lead is huge. With the number one plate this year, we know we have a target on our back. But we embrace the competition and can’t wait for Atlanta Short Track.”
Including Mees, five of the six Indian Scout FTR750 riders competing in the main placed within the top 10. Fellow Wrecking Crew riders Brad Baker and Bryan Smith placed fifth and ninth, respectively. In their first season on the Scout FTR750, privateers Kenny Coolbeth Jr. and Rob Pearson finished eighth and 10th, respectively.
“It was incredible to return to Daytona after only one year and see so many Scout FTR750s on the track,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Service & Technology for Indian Motorcycle. “The entire night was filled with great racing, as we even had some tight battles in the semi-finals where a few Indian privateers just missed the main. In the end, though, just as we saw many times last year, Jared hit a rhythm and took over. Congrats to Jared and his team on the repeat.”
The Indian Wrecking Crew and stable of privateers aboard the championship-winning Scout FTR750 will continue its season on April 7 at the Atlanta Short Track. In 2017, the Wrecking Crew swept the podium in Atlanta, as Mees, Baker and Smith finished 1-2-3, respectively.
For the 2018 season, Indian Motorcycle Racing has committed more than $350,000 in contingency incentives, including $25,000 for a Championship, $5,000 for first-place wins, $4,000 for second-place, $3,000 for third-place finishes, and payouts for up to 10th-place finishers.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, backed by Allstate Insurance, the Indian Wrecking Crew and Scout FTR750, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For information on purchasing a Scout FTR750, please contact Racing@IndianMotorcycle.com.
