After his double domination of the Lima Half-Mile, everyone can stop worrying about when Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) will finally get his first victory of the 2025 season and shift their concerns to whether or not anyone will be able to stop him now that’s he’s rolling at full steam. 

 

Whatever minor “slump,” Drane might have dealt with to open the season did not knock him off the historic trajectory that has defined the Australian’s early Progressive AFT career. Consider that, in just two-and-a-half seasons, he’s already moved into a tie with former class champions Dallas Daniels and Dalton Gauthier for third all-time in AFT Singles victories at 13. 

 

He’s also now tied with Daniels for third most Half-Mile wins at five. 

 

If the opposition thought it was going to get any easier this weekend, they might want to reconsider. Even without a stop at a Mile in ‘25, Drane already ranks second all-time in career Mile wins – also at five – with one of those coming at DuQuoin in ‘23. 

 

Should he sweep all three Miles this season, he would move into a tie with Shayna Texter-Bauman atop the career order. 

 

Daniels, Gauthier, Texter-Bauman… That’s some pretty exclusive company. 

 

It’s The FBI Again 

 

But don’t crown Drane just yet. In fact, he wasn’t even on the podium at DuQuoin a year ago… despite finishing just 0.088 seconds back of the win. 

 

That’s not a typo. In fact, the eight riders who represented first through fourth at the DuQuoin Mile in ‘23 and ‘24 were separated by less than two tenths of a second, combined. 

 

 

Last year’s victory went to home state Fast Boy from Illinois Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R), who beat triple champion Kody Kopp to the stripe at the head of a five-rider pack by 0.001 seconds. 

 

The year before, Saathoff was on the other end of things, losing out to Drane at the front of a six-rider pack by 0.011 seconds. 

 

Past history suggests it’ll be a major upset if anyone walks away with it this weekend, and if the multi-rider pack doesn’t include title rivals Drane and Saathoff. 

 

The potential for several other riders in the mix also creates opportunity for significant movement in the championship chase. For example, should Saathoff repeat and Drane get shuffled back to a close fourth again this year, the margin between the two would get slashed from 16 to just 7. 

 

Flying With Wings 

 

Who else could join that hypothetical mix? 

 

Even accounting for Drane’s recent Mile brilliance, Honda has traditionally been the primary force on the big tracks.  

 

Honda-mounted riders have won more than half (36 of 67) Miles in class history, with an even better record since 2019 (12 of 21). And that’s not a stat propped up due to the overwhelming skills of any one rider; those 12 wins since ‘19 are split up amongst eight different riders. 

 

Along with Saathoff, Honda comes into DuQuoin with Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) – winner of three career Miles – in its corner. 

 

And don’t forget about Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R), who is no doubt out to make amends after his Saturday second at Lima was spoiled by a blown motor on Sunday. Santero now has a podium finish in a Half-Mile, Short Track, and TT. The Mile is the lone holdout, although he finished a solid sixth here a year ago. 

 

You Gotta Wear Shades 

 

Progressive AFT fans should pay close attention to the amateurs taking part in the 2025 Roof Systems AMA Flat Track Grand Championship this week in DuQuoin. Because when we say the week will put a spotlight on the future stars of the sport – we’re talking near future. 

 

 

Consider the names to previously shine at the amateur nations. Winners of the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award going back to just 2018 include Daniels, Brunner, Kopp, Saathoff, Evan Renshaw (No. 65 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), and Walker Porter (No. 100 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R).  

 

And this year’s crop of pros who were amateurs just one year ago is shaping up to be an all-timer. 

 

Just four races into his career, Kage Tadman (No. 288 Roof Systems/Old Oak Ranch KTM 450 SX-F) already boasts two wins and four top fives. 

 

Porter made a remarkable top-five pro debut last weekend and is now set to return to DuQuoin where he was named the recipient of the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award one year ago. 

 

Meanwhile, fellow rookie Ryder Reese (No. 244 Mission Foods/Roof Systems KTM 450 SX-F) finished ninth in his Progressive AFT debut weekend at Lima. That saw him join Tadman, Porter, Skylar Sentell (No. 249 Hoffer Performance/Stauffer Motors KTM 450 SX-F) and Ethan Kitchen (No. 105 Lucky Thumb M/C Yamaha YZ450F) in breaking into the top ten as a rookie already this season. 

 

And while it may not be easy to dice it up with the more experienced riders on a tactically taxing Mile, recall that Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F) finished just 0.204 seconds off last year’s DuQuoin Mile win as a rookie. 

 

Speaking of, Kelleher comes in riding high following the best weekend of his sophomore campaign. 

 

It’s Independence Day Weekend. Of Course, We’re Gonna Party 

 

This week-long celebration of motorcycle dirt track racing will also offer plenty of activities away from the track. The Rider Q&A will take place during the Fan Party that leads directly into Opening Ceremonies.  

 

 

There will also be a multitude of vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, extensive motorcycle parking, and an abundance of good vibes. 

 

 

That’s the Ticket 

 

General Admission Grandstand tickets for the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile are just $35 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult ticket) while Reserved Grandstand tickets are just $45 (all ages). And new for 2025, every ticket includes access to the paddock’s where you can get up close and personal with the planet’s most incredible dirt track riders and machines. 

 

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/trackenterprises/events/2025-duquoin-mile-129199 to reserve your seats today. 

 

Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT. 

 

How to Watch 

 

 

FloRacing 
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast. 

 

 

FOX Sports coverage of the Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, July 13, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT). 

 

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.