Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) Championship Series
Postponed Daytona Short Track II
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach, Florida
March 11, 2023
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 4 laps
2. Dalton Gauthier (KTM), -00.681 seconds
3. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -02.049
4. Trent Lowe (Hon), -02.699
Provisional Mission SuperTwins #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 4 laps
2. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -00.148 seconds
3. Jared Mees (Ind), -00.458
4. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -01.411
Provisional Astro Invitational Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Ronnie Jones (Bul), 10 laps
2. Garth Brow (Bul), -03.694 seconds
3. Charles Roberts (Bul), -07.511
4. Dominic Beaulac (Bul), -07.878
5. Wyatt Campbell (Bul), -08.744
6. Jackie Mitchell (Bul), -10.970
7. Kris Weiss (Bul), -12.411
8. Rick Reed (Bul), -21.165
9. Greg Scalf (Bul), -1 lap
10. Jeffrey Hiers (Bul), -1 lap, -05.030
11. Jerry Lacy (Bul), -1 lap, -21.923
12. Robby-Bobby McLendon (Bul), -5 laps, DNF
13. Charles Williams (Bul), -10 laps, DNF
14. Chris Boone (Bul), -10 laps, DNF
15. Lucien Marioneaux (Bul), -10 laps, DNF
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Kody Kopp (KTM), 22 laps
2. Dalton Gauthier (KTM), -05.439 seconds
3. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -06.539
4. Trent Lowe (Hon), -06.623
5. Max Whale (KTM), -08.830
6. Justin Jones (KTM), -11.607
7. Trevor Brunner (Yam), -11.798
8. Andrew Luker (Yam), -13.468
9. James Ott (Hus), -13.883
10. Logan Eisenhard (KTM), -15.350
11. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -15.744
12. Cole Zabala (Hon), -16.283
13. Tom Drane (Yam), -16.620
14. Chad Cose (Hus), -17.851
15. Travis Petton (KTM), -1 lap
16. Hunter Bauer (KTM), -1 lap, -02.579
17. Clarke Morian (KTM), -1 lap, -06.022
18. Tanner Dean (KTM), -9 laps, DNF
19. Gerard Bailo (Hon), -22 laps, DNF
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 34 laps
2. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -02.069 seconds
3. Davis Fisher (Ind), -02.503
4. Jared Mees (Ind), -03.191
5. JD Beach (Yam), -03.765
6. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -04.847
7. Briar Bauman (KTM), -09.253
8. Sammy Halbert (Yam), -10.679
9. Kayl Kolkman (Yam), -11.198
10. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -11.383
11. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -13.477
12. Bronson Bauman (KTM), -13.595
13. Dan Bromley (Yam), -13.991
14. Ben Lowe (Ind), -15.041
15. Cameron Smith (Kaw), -15.113
16. Billy Ross (Ind), -17.798
17. Mitch Harvat (Kaw), -1 lap
18. Jeffery Lowery (Yam), -2 laps
19. Ryan Wells (Roy), -2 laps, -06.175
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track (AFT):
Daniels, Kopp Pull Off Double Doubles at DAYTONA Short Track II
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 11, 2023) – Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) kicked off his 2023 Progressive American Flat Track championship campaign in near-perfect fashion, completing the second half of the season-opening double win with another sensational ride in Saturday night’s DAYTONA Short Track II presented by Daytona Dodge at the Flat Track at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Daniels was already a legitimate title contender as a rookie a year ago. Early indications suggest he’s that much stronger now with a year’s Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle experience under his belt.
The Estenson Racing Yamaha ace got away off the line in third, running in close quarters behind early leader Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750) and Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750), with Thursday runner-up Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) right in his tracks.
Robinson made an early exit from the fight for the win, getting into the airfence and losing several positions in the process. Daniels slipped up the inside of Mees a little less than three minutes into the ten-minute-plus-two-lap Main to take over second, just as Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) closed in to make it four-rider fight at the front again.
Daniels then spent the next four minutes stalking Vanderkooi, looking up the inside and around outside, while generally applying the sort of pressure that might just open a door straight through. He finally found the gap he was looking for with 3:30 minutes remaining on the clock, striking up the inside as the leaders encountered a wave of lapped riders.
Daniels met little resistance once into the lead, stretching out an advantage that finalized as a 2.069-second margin of victory in the end.
“It was tough – Jarod was running a really good race,” Daniels said. “He was being patient – he was really easy on the throttle and wasn’t making any mistakes. I had to search. I wanted to sit there for a little bit. After I got off the line, I was all right with where I was, and I was paying attention to everything. I wanted to stalk him for a while, but then it was time to go.
“A double at Daytona is crazy. It’s unbelievable. A big thanks to the whole Estenson Monster Energy Yamaha team. We had a great year last year, and to start off the year with two wins in Daytona is insane.”
Shortly after Daniels took over the lead, Fisher slashed his way past Mees to complete the “new guard” podium line-up in third, joining winner Daniels and second-placed Vanderkooi.
Reigning champ Mees came away with his second fourth of the double-opener – a marked upgrade over how his prospects may have looked earlier in the week. Meanwhile, Daniels’ teammate, JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), logged a second fifth.
Robinson recovered well enough from his early drama to finish in sixth, one spot ahead of Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 890 Duke), who was forced to claw his way up to seventh from outside the top ten.
Four-time DAYTONA ST winner Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Martin Trucking/Castrol Yamaha MT-07), privateer Kayl Kolkman (No 98 B&L Plumbing/Rod Lake Yamaha MT-07), and Royal Enfield factory man Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) completed the top ten.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Defending Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) doubled up in Daytona, delivering a second dose of domination on Saturday night.
Clearly in a class of his own at the venue, Kopp pulled off another sweep, repeating his Thursday trick of topping practice, qualifying, his Heat, the Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Challenge, and most importantly, the Main Event.
Kopp successfully weaved his way through the opening lap chaos to secure the lead three turns into the race. And while Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) did everything in his power to cling onto Kopp’s rear wheel, a little more than a minute in, the race for victory was effectively over.
Kopp ultimately worked his advantage up to over five seconds before taking a drama-free checkered flag.
“It’s just two for 18,” Kopp said. “We’ve got 16 more rounds, so there’s a lot more work to do. You can’t judge a season off two races at a track that really suits my style. I grew up riding a lot of indoors in the Pacific Northwest, and this was kinda like that. Thanks to my whole Red Bull KTM crew – this is a dream way to start the season for sure.”
After losing touch with the leader, Saathoff was gradually reeled in by ‘22 championship runner-up Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), who first had to fight his way past Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Justin Jones (No. 91 NRC Racing/Elder Trucking KTM 450 SX-F) to slide into third.
Gauthier and Saathoff then swapped the second spot back and forth, squaring one another up in quick succession before the charging Gauthier finally stole the position away for good.
Saathoff held on for the final spot on the box by a scant 0.084 seconds despite having to fend off a late challenge from new Turner Honda teammate Lowe.
Kopp’s teammate, Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F), battled past the impressive Jones to complete the top five.
Next Up:
The world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series makes its first-ever trip to Senoia Raceway in Senoia, Georgia, for the inaugural Yamaha Senoia Short Track on Saturday, March 25. Visit https://www.tixr.com/promoters/americanflattrack to secure your tickets today.
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv.
FOX Sports coverage, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 from the DAYTONA Short Track I on March 18 at 10:30 a.m. ET (7:30 a.m. PT) and DAYTONA Short Track II on March 19 at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT).
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
About Progressive American Flat Track
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.
