DAYTONA BEACH, FL – August 17, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – An intense four-way championship battle headlines Progressive American Flat Track’s arrival at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California, for this weekend’s Mission Legendary Sacramento Mile powered by Law Tigers on Saturday, August 20.
Four Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle superstars are separated by less than the 25 points that will be awarded for this weekend’s Main Event win, led by defending class champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750).
The Sacramento Mile has long been ruled by experienced aces who are able to successfully merge innate skill with strategic acumen. Mees’ effectively took the baton from Bryan Smith in that regard to become the venue’s reigning chess master in 2018, following up Smith’s stretch of seven consecutive wins from 2011-2017 with his own active streak of four Sacramento Mile victories in succession. The factory Indian hero’s Cal Expo exploits are representative of his broader Mile mastery in recent seasons, and he’ll be eyed as the favorite heading into the weekend for good reason.
However, it’s been a while since Mees stood atop the podium this season, his last win coming seven races ago at the Mission Red Mile II. And it’s worth recalling that Mees was pushed to the absolute limit in Lexington by Estenson Racing Yamaha teammates Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). Both riders could easily prove to be contenders again this weekend aboard a pair of very fast Yamahas.
Of course, second-ranked Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) should not be discounted either. Bauman has long sought to unlock the secrets necessary to overcome Mees’ Mile advantage, but he’s been riding as well as anyone in the paddock over the season’s second half.
Meanwhile, teammates Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) are locked in a tight intra-team fight for fifth in the points and both have the potential to factor up front this weekend. Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) is not far behind them in the standings and no doubt eager to claw his way back up into podium contention.
Over the past four rounds, momentum in the Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines class has shifted decidedly in favor of Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R).
The Wisconsin native has been in commanding form during that run, topping five of five practices, eight of eight qualifying sessions, three of four Semis, and three of four Main Events. As a result, he’s transformed what was a seven-point deficit into a 14-point advantage.
In fact, it’s a credit to the tenacious Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) that Janisch doesn’t have a bigger lead as a result of his remarkable recent form. Considering all that, the Sacramento Mile couldn’t have come at a better time for defending champion Texter, who enjoyed Janisch-like dominance at Cal Expo a season ago en route to a doubleheader sweep.
While the championship has been rendered a two-rider affair, several others have the capability to play the role of spoiler, including race winners Michael Rush (No. 15 Hellipower Racing/Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), Billy Ross (No. 109 Mission Foods/Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R), and Nick Armstrong (No. 60 Competitive Racing Frames/Lessley Brothers Yamaha MT-07).
Despite still enjoying a massive 46-point Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER championship advantage, Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) could use a big weekend following three consecutive weeks of logging season’s worst results.
It’s more a matter of stringing together a solid Main Event than it is a search to rediscover pace, as Kopp has been more than quick enough to continue his winning ways in recent weeks, even if the races didn’t play out that way.
Kopp, along with teammate, Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), will be expected to contend for victory again this weekend, although they may not go in considered as the leading race favorites for a change.
In last season’s Sacramento Mile, Turner Racing Honda and then-pilot Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) were the preeminent force at the track, combining to sweep both Main Events.
Despite now being adversaries, both the team and the rider come back to Cal Expo in top form. Estenson Racing ace Brunner has a win, a second, and a third in his last three outings, while his former teammate, Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) happens to be the rider who edged him for victory this past weekend.
And while Brunner is Estenson Racing’s sole rider in the class, Gauthier is joined by a pair of extremely talented teammates in Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) and Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), who could also contend for victory.
This year’s Sacramento Mile will celebrate its incredible history with a special “Legends Meet and Greet” autograph session set for 5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT to 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds grandstand area. Among the incredible line-up of flat track superstars who will be signing the special “Legends” poster available to purchase for $5, are Scott Parker, Jay Springsteen, Mike Kidd, Bryan Smith, Brad Baker, Joe Kopp, and many more.
Along with all the associated activities, there will be plenty to keep fans entertained at the venue, including numerous vendors, a variety of food and beverage options, and the Kids Zone.
Click here to reserve your tickets today. General Admission tickets are just $25 with a wide range of upgraded seating options to choose from. Paddock Access Upgrades are also available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.
Gates will open for fans at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT ahead of the day’s Main Event program. You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FansChoice.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.
The Mission Legendary Sacramento Mile powered by Law Tigers will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, August 27, at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT, including exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com. To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
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 at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
Source: Progressive American Flat Track
####
