The Progressive AFT season-opening double-header in Daytona delighted race fans with Sammy Halbert’s Harley-Davidson XR750 as the fastest bike around the short-track circuit. Unfortunately, the XR’s 503rd win would have to wait for another day, as Halbert suffered an oil leak while leading Race 1 and could only muster a runner-up result in Race 2.
Related: Progressive AFT Season-Opening Daytona Short Track Results
However, the races in Daytona were thrilling, with Dallas Daniels (Yamaha) and Brandon Robinson (Indian) trading wins. Reigning champ Jared Mees again struggled at Daytona’s short-track, finishing 5th and 6th.
AFT returns to action this weekend in Senoia, Georgia, and Mees is hoping for a repeat performance from last year when he outraced Daniels to the checkered flag. Read more about the race in the press release below.
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 19, 2024) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, returns to action with the second-ever Yamaha Senoia Short Track at Senoia Raceway in Senoia, Georgia, on Saturday, March 23.
Last year’s inaugural visit proved to be a stunner, and this year’s rematch promises to be yet another as the stage is set with the series’ major players arranged in similar positions.
A year ago, reigning Mission SuperTwins champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) rebounded in Senoia following a podium-less double opener in Daytona with a virtuoso performance to defeat points leader Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) at the stripe by 0.174 seconds.
That kickstarted a season-long duel between the two, ultimately won by Mees, who used the Senoia triumph as a springboard to his nine–win, 15-podium season, which culminated in a historic ninth Grand National Championship.
Now Mees finds himself equally in need of a bounce back after opening his quest for an unprecedented tenth premier-class crown with sixth- and fifth-place finishes in Daytona. By contrast, Daniels grabbed a share of the points lead with a double-podium opener, highlighted by a victory in the season’s first Main Event.
Mees and Daniels are far from the full story, however, as there is genuine hope that this year’s title fight will not only match last year’s incredible showdown but surpass it with the inclusion of additional contenders.
Chief among the prospective championship hopefuls are two-time Mission SuperTwins king Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) and co-points leader Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750).
Bauman is in his second season aboard the Rick Ware Racing KTM 790 Duke, although he’s working with a new crew and operating a racebike was heavily overhauled during the offseason. That said, even with those changes, he showed impressive speed in the opener and has the skills to fight up front in any and every given outing.
Robinson, meanwhile, enjoyed a welcome return to form after going winless and finishing outside the championship top five for the first time since 2018 on both counts. His DAYTONA ST win provided clear evidence that he’s primed for a huge year in ’24.
At least six brands of motorcycles have a legitimate shot to be in the mix for the top five this weekend considering their respective rider/team representation, which include the likes of Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Corbin/OTBR Yamaha MT-07), Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Big Red Super Twins/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp), along with rookies Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing KTM 790 Duke) and Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R).
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Preseason Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER title favorites Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) opened their ‘24 campaigns with one win apiece.
Double defending champion Kopp holds down the familiar position of points leader by backing up his win with a third, while Drane finds himself with some work to do after crashing on the final lap of the opener and being credited with 15th prior to his victorious rebound the following night.
While the two will have another opportunity to square off in Senoia, neither enjoyed their finest evening in last year’s inaugural stop at the circuit. Kopp finished fifth despite his usual Short Track supremacy, while Drane could only manage 13th – albeit it’s worth noting the result came before the Australian truly got up to speed and demonstrated his true caliber over the season’s final two-thirds.
While last year’s winner, Max Whale, has since graduated to Mission SuperTwins duty, ‘23 Senoia ST podium finishers James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions/Media HT Husqvarna FC450) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F) are back and desperate to finish atop the box this time around.
The class traditionally offers up a bevy of potential race winners. This year is no exception in that respect with Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R), Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Evan Renshaw (No. 265 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Hannum’s Harley-Davidson KTM 450 SX-F) only but a few of the entrants with the skill and determination to factor up front.
How to Watch Progressive AFT at Senoia Short Track
There will be plenty to keep fans entertained off the track as well, starting with a family-oriented pre-race party in the Fan Zone from 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) – 6 p.m. (3 p.m. PT) the day of the race. Other features include numerous vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, the Kids Zone, music, extensive motorcycle parking, and fireworks display at the end of the evening.
General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under $5), and Reserved Grandstand tickets start at $50 (all ages) with an option to add a Pit Pass at a reduced rate. The Pit Pass grants access to the General Admission areas and the Pit area for $60. Reserved Trackside Parking and Multi-Day Camping Passes are also available to purchase.
New for 2024 is the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($150 all ages). This ticket option provides reserved seating with pit pass access, a guided tour of, and photo opportunities at, the infield podium and start/finish line, infield viewing of Opening Ceremonies and the heat races, and a track talk and photo opportunity with 2016 Grand National Champion Bryan Smith.
Click here to reserve your seats today.
Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT). You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FloRacing. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2024. FloSports is available by clicking here or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
FOX Sports coverage of the Yamaha Senoia Short Track, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, March 31, at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT).
For more information on Progressive AFT, visit the American Flat Track website. To score the latest gear for the Progressive AFT fan, visit our official merchandise store.
