AFT Heads To Lake Ozark Short Track

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 11, 2025

The Grand National Championship will be decided when the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, concludes with the Arby’s Lake Ozark Short Track presented by Arrowhead Brass at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri on Saturday, September 13.

And the season finale will once again play out in suitably festive surroundings, serving as a centerpiece of this year’s 19th Annual Lake of the Ozarks BikeFest, an event destined to attract some 125,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to the area from September 10-14.

The Grand. National. Championship.

Any concerns that Mission AFT SuperTwins would lose a bit of intrigue and drama after ten-time class king Jared Mees rode off into the sunset have not just been proven unfounded but resoundingly so.

Over the course of an unforgettable ‘25 title fight, Mees’ latter-day foils, Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R), established their own rivalry which could potentially define the sport for the next decade.

Their battles have been epic and at times not without controversy or acrimony. Momentum has been seized and reseized. And each has faced down adversity while making their respective bids to assume Mees’ throne this season.

The tides turned yet again – and in a big way – at the Springfield Mile doubleheader.

Bauman powered into Springfield on a high following his triumphant performance in Peoria. He left in disappointment, an 11-point advantage transformed into a 13-point deficit. That margin puts his chances for a third Grand National Championship in serious peril, a reality he’s all too aware of.

However it plays out, Bauman has already done as much this season to cement his legacy as an all-time great as any of his prior campaigns, including the two in which he defeated Mees for the title.

This season, Bauman and his Rick Ware Racing team took a previously winless Harley-Davidson XG750R and made it a genuine title threat on the strength of seven wins to date. But it goes beyond the numbers – the manner and style in which he’s done it left even the gifted Daniels and the powerhouse Estenson Racing team behind him at times bewildered.

Perhaps paradoxically, Bauman was never more impressive than he was in Springfield, where he routinely sliced and diced the world’s elite motorcycle flat trackers up through the corners just to cling to contention down the straights.

However, overpowered on Saturday and luckless on Sunday, Bauman now faces a steep climb to the title this weekend despite his overall brilliance in 2025.

1.56%

Just how steep?

If Bauman wins this weekend – and he should be viewed as the favorite considering the desperation of his situation along with his status as the winningest Short Track rider in series history – he’ll end the year with 307 points and a tiebreaking eight wins.

That would mean Daniels would have to finish seventh or better to accumulate at least 308 points, and along with it, the 2025 Grand National Championship.

And just how likely is that?

Consider the following: 

Daniels has participated in 64 Main Events throughout the entirety of his near four-season premier-class career. During that span, he has finished outside the top five just once. That outlier took place during the 2022 Volusia double finale weekend, in which he crashed from fourth and ultimately finished 12th.

Since that time, the Estenson Racing star has finished fifth or better in 47 consecutive races – 42 of those on the box.

As has been said many times – by Bauman and many others – it’s not so much Daniels’ speed (which is remarkable) or his talent (which is considerable), but rather his unprecedented consistency that is his greatest attribute as a title fighter.

One bad day. One bad race. One bad moment. Give Daniels an opportunity, and he’ll make you pay.

Bauman had a bad day in Springfield.

However, it’s not over just yet. Pile on the pressure of a lifelong goal, and the chance that the unthinkable happens might increase a percentage point or ten.

It’s happened before; the racing annals overfloweth with stories of less likely scenarios coming to fruition.

Give The Man His Due

Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) has spent the bulk of the season lost in the shadow of the fascinating Daniels/Bauman showdown.

However, step back and admire another campaign that has only furthered his argument for eventual inclusion in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

26 points up on fourth, Robinson has already locked in his fifth Grand National Championship ranking of third or better. He’s also added five more podiums to his career tally, including a long-sought  first win on the Harley-Davidson XG750R he helped usher into the series eight years back.

While no doubt frustrated after taking a step back from 2024’s title contention, Robinson has quietly penned another strong season in a career that’s gradually elevated him up to some pretty lofty statistical territory.

Lowe Man Wins

Much has been made – and deservedly so – of Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Progressive Insurance Honda Transalp) scoring Honda’s first twin-cylinder premier-class win of the millennium with his Springfield surprise.

But perhaps lost in that excitement was just how much his huge weekend transformed his championship standing outlook.

Prior to Springfield, Lowe was locked in a tight fight for sixth with James Ott (No. 19 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07), Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Suzuki GSX-8S), and Max Whale (No. 18 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650).

Meanwhile, Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) and Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Fastrack Racing/Wally Brown Racing KTM 790 Duke) still held outside hopes of edging Robinson for third at the time.

Lowe’s stunning success combined with twin misfortune for Fisher and ‘VDK,’ has painted a very different picture with just one race to go. As it stands, it’s now Lowe who sits fourth with 172 points, followed closely by Fisher (169) and VanDerkooi (167).

Even before the breakthrough victory, Lowe’s top-five finish at the Lucas Oil Short Track was likely good enough to consider 2025 a positive one of the Big Red SuperTwins program. The victory more than assured that.
But fourth in the overall standings? That would certainly be something.

Rookie of the Year

Lowe’s Springfield triumph also handed him a commanding lead in the chase for Mission AFT SuperTwins Rookie of the Year honors.

Lowe and Ott have gone back and forth in a two-rider tilt all year long, but Lowe’s big win pushed him 18 points out in front with just the finale to go. In other words, it would take a monster result from Ott and utter catastrophe from Lowe to prevent the Honda pilot from being named premier-class Rookie of the Year.

That said, congratulations to Ott, who has been hugely impressive in his own right. With one race left to shine, the Californian has already racked up four top fives on the G&G Yamaha – highlighted by a pair of podiums – in his first Mission AFT SuperTwins campaign.

It’s Best to Rest Before BikeFest

There will be no shortage of entertainment options at the 19th Annual Lake of the Ozarks BikeFest in general and the Lake Ozark Short Track in particular. 

Along with the season-ending action on track culminating in the crowing of the 2025 Grand National Champion, fans will be treated to Jumbotron-enhanced viewing, dedicated motorcycle parking, numerous food and beverage options, the Fans Zone – complete with a face painter – and a fireworks display to conclude the evening’s activities.

Your Ticket to the Land of Oz(ark)

General Admission tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult General Admission ticket). Students can get a GA ticket for just $20 ticket at the gate with a student ID, while qualified individuals can take advantage of the Military/First Responder discount to purchase $20 General Admission tickets via the GovX link found on the event ticket pages. 

Reserved Grandstand tickets, which are located along the front stretch of the racetrack with ideal sightlines, are just $50 (all ages).

H.O.G. members can purchase a H.O.G. Membership Ticket for $30 (all ages), which grants access to both a dedicated parking area and dedicated grandstand seating, along with a meet and greet and photo opportunity with the Harley-Davidson racers and a private infield tour.

Finally, there’s the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($99), which includes General Admission seating with full pit pass access, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line, photo opps, and up-close viewing of Opening Ceremonies and the night’s race action.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/lake-ozark-short-track-126438 to purchase your tickets today.

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies set to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 a.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.

FS1

FOX Sports coverage of the Arby’s Lake Ozark Short Track presented by Arrowhead Brass, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, September 20, at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT).

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

Video: Stuman Rides The BMW S 1000 RR Race Bike

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 11, 2025

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Video: Stuman Rides The BMW S 1000 RR Race Bike

In this video, Stuman offers riding impressions of a BMW S 1000 RR Race Bike. He had the opportunity to ride this bike at Thunderhill and was very impressed. The video features some information about the AIM Solo 2 DL lap timer and Smarty Cam setup on the bike.

Link to the video: https://youtu.be/QE-tsOdLWz0?si=GV5lg4JPakZ5JiR9

Rookies Run Riot: The AFT Singles Rookie Class of ‘25

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 10, 2025

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Rookies Run Riot: The AFT Singles Rookie Class of ‘25

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The earliest signs that a rookie wave was about to hit the 2025 AFT Singles presented by KICKER class registered as barely more than a ripple.

The Progressive American Flat Track DAYTONA double season opener was meant to serve as a glorified torch-passing ceremony, with three-time reigning class champ Kody Kopp – who was preparing to embark on a roadracing career – slated to hand the reins over to his dueling heir apparents, Tom Drane and Chase Saathoff.

Instead, Kopp used the opportunity to clock a pair of extended victory laps, adding two more wins to his all-time class record before tossing said torch into the dirt for Drane and Saathoff to scrap over in his absence.

Nearly lost to that bright spotlight was the performance of Lucky Thumb M/C’s Ethan Kitchen, who managed to sneak into the bottom of the top ten in his debut weekend.

The wave next hit not just like a tsunami, but one of historic proportions.

Beachside Ventura Raceway served as a scenic backdrop framing the raw brilliance of Kage Tadman, who set the scene alight with a dominant victory in his very first attempt.

Very few riders had managed that in the history of the class. And no one had ever done what he would do days later – repeat the remarkable feat at Silver Dollar Speedway.

In doing so, Tadman set the stage for what has proved to be an unusually impactful rookie class.

Read the complete story and 2025 Singles Rookie breakdown HERE.

UtahSBA: 3-Hour Endurance And King Of The Mountain Showdown

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 10, 2025

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UtahSBA: 3-Hour Endurance And King Of The Mountain Showdown

2025 has been a record year for the Utah Sport Bike Association’s “Masters of the Mountain” series presented by Utah Motorcycle Law! After 5 exciting rounds it was down to the final event, round 6, that took place September 6th and 7th at Burt Brothers Motorpark in Grantsville, UT. Racers from the Mountain West Region and beyond flocked into Tooele Valley for the Season Finale on the Fun, Fast, and Challenging Perimeter course. While local riders were looking to finish their seasons strong and wrap up their championship battles, many fast and highly competitive out of town racers were trying to get a taste of the hype that has been surrounding the UtahSBA this year. It’s safe to say it didn’t take long for everyone to understand why this series has quickly become the premier race organization and venue for summer motorcycle road racing in the West.

Saturday morning started off as it has all season with all racers qualifying for their grid spots in their respective classes. It was busy on track with nearly 100 riders showing up to race this round. Topping the charts in the first round of qualifying was previous #1 plate holder Brian Childree at a 1:56.5. During the second sessions, 2025 Club Champion Anthony Norton put in a lap of 1:54.6 to leap to the top of the charts and secure pole position with returning racer Genaro Lopez securing the 3rd fastest time at 1:58.0. Saturday sprint racing kicked off immediately following qualifying and the grids were dense which meant you couldn’t take your eyes off the action on track because there were battles from start to finish in every race.

Anthony Norton on his pole position qualifying lap. Photo by Martina Velcheva.

The Novice middleweights were the first to take the green flag for the weekend in the Vortex Racing Moto2 Novice class. This class has been a battle all season with Dakota Burford, Parker Meyer and Brayden Rocco all chasing Hunter Underhill in a tight championship battle. These Riders gave it their all in the final round with Dakota and Parker putting on a show going back and forth throughout the race doing their part to maximize their points yield. At the stripe, Parker fell .5 short of the win to Dakota followed by Brayden just off the leaders in 3rd and Hunter finishing 4th which was good enough to secure the class championship on the season.

Next on track were the Expert and Novice heavyweight bikes of the stock1000 classes. In the Crossbeam Builders stock1000 expert class fast qualifier Anthony Norton had already wrapped up the class championship but wasn’t letting off the gas just yet. Starting from p3 Lou Soccaccio jumped the start and led Norton and Genaro Lopez into turn 1. Norton would catch the Soccaccio into turn 5 to take the official lead on track and pick up right where he left off in qualifying lapping faster than the field on his way to victory. Lopez made the pass for 2nd shortly after and Justen Behmer out of Colorado would secure the final podium spot after the jump start penalty was given to Soccacio. The real drama happened in the second wave with the Trackstar Racing stock1000 Novices where Damon Schuetze and James Walker were separated by just 1 point in the championship battle. The two locking horns in the race left the door open for Riley Hebert to take his shot at the front. Hebert nailed the start and jumped out to an early lead with Derek Festavan giving chase in second followed by the 2 championship leaders. While Hebert would be uncontested at the front, the 3 behind him never let him get away as the top 4 would be separated by less than 2 seconds at the finish. The finishing order went Hebert, Festavan, and Walker with Schuetze just off the podium in 4th. The Championship title went to James Walker by just 3 points to Damon Schuetze in 2nd both celebrated a remarkably successful season.

Riley Hebert celebrates his first UtahSBA win. Photo By Richard Jellerson.

Saturday’s main event, The “Duel in the Desert” endurance race. It’s been a growing and welcomed race platform reintroduced this year by the UtahSBA. Each round it has gotten bigger and more competitive, this final round was no exception. 20 teams registered accounting for 42 riders in this special 3-hour endurance finale with double points and some season purse money on the line. Championship rivals Precision Fab Racing and Paradigm Racing, competing in Open Team Endurance, a true endurance format, would be head-to-head in a winner take all race for the championship. The two teams would lead the charge in the early laps with Anthony Norton on the Precision Fab ZX10 and Shane Turpin on the Paradigm Racing R6. Norton extended a near 40 second lead at the end of his stent before handing the bike off to teammate Kreece Elliot. Turpin adopted the lead during the Precision Fab pitstop before coming to pitlane himself and handing the reigns to teammate Lee Callans. Elliot stretched the lead to nearly 2 laps by the end of his stent then giving Kohl Burmester the reigns of the Precision Fab steed. Then it was Alex Zinaich’s turn on the paradigm machine who began to chip away at the leaders. Burmester finished his stent 1lap+ ahead as the team made their only Dunlop tire change of the race and Elliot got back on track for his second stent. At this point both teams would need to make at least 1 more fuel stop. After all the strategies played out and in the final minutes, it was Shane Turpin keeping pace with Anthony Norton on track, but 2 laps down and running out of time. Precision Fab Racing would take the win, and with it, the Racers Edge Dunlop Team Endurance Championship!

Kreece Elliott piloting the Precison Fab Machinery Race Team Endurance Bike in the 3-hour endurance. Photo by Crystall Doll.

True Endurance podium(left to right) p3 The Weekend Garage, p1 Precision Fab Racing, p2 Paradigm Racing. Photo by Crystal Doll.

In the Hardline Excavation/Defcon Motorsports Ironman Endurance class, the main protagonists on the season have been Richard Findlay and Robert Jojola and they were at it again. With a championship still left undecided these warriors gave it their all for 3 straight hours. “Jojo” only stopping once for fuel would take the win in the final round. Findlay was fighting mechanical issues with his machine being stuck in 6th gear for the majority of the race but would not give up as he came into this round leading the class championship. The spirit of these Ironman endurance racers is next level. Findlay would reach the end of 3 hours in 2nd place, good enough to secure the season Ironman Championship.

Robert Jojola winning Ironman class in 3-hour endurance race. Photo by Richard Jellerson.

The 3rd and final endurance class was the most contested class of round 6 with many out-of-town riders joining in the Apex Assassins Relay Endurance class. Racers, each racing their own bikes passing a transponder like a baton relay style. The Championship leading team “Formula 55” has been steadily running upfront all season and just 3 hours away from securing a championship of their own. Formula 55 Team members David Meyer, Jim Jackson, and Randy Alfano would run consistent for the entire race sticking to their plan and fight off the barrage of competitors to come out on top for their season efforts.

Relay Team Formula 55’s David Meyer and Randy Alfano swapping transponders during 3-hour relay endurance. Photo by Richard Jellerson.

The club ended the day with podium celebrations for Saturday’s sprint and endurance races while providing some amazing BBQ for the paddock. The on-track battles while ferocious in spirit don’t outweigh the off-track comradery shared when the track goes cold. But there was still a full day of racing scheduled for Sunday and racers were every bit ready to duke it out the next morning.

Sunday morning the weather was a bit breezy but otherwise perfect to get the day started. The premier race of the weekend as always is the “King of the Mountain” race where all the fastest riders grid up for the glory and a shot of the Burt Brothers sponsored purse money. A whopping 30 riders took to the grid just after lunch, all stacked behind pole sitter and reigning KOM champion Anthony Norton. When the lights went out it was a mad dash into turn 1 with bikes bouncing off each other mid pack and somehow all making through turn 1. Into turn 1 it was Brian Childree and Kreece Elliott fighting for position with Childree getting the upper hand and the holeshot. Following the top two were Justen Behmer, Lou Saccoccio and then Anthony Norton in 5th looking to recover from terrible start. Norton quickly slotted into 4th and the top 4 started to break away, mostly 2 and 3 wide with one another of the first lap. Lap 1 ended with Childree leading Elliott, then Norton having taken 3rd away from 4th place Justen Behmer. Lap 2, turn 2, Norton shoved his way through his endurance teammate Elliot for 2nd and set his sights on the leader. Just a few corners later Norton pulled the trigger on the lead passing Childree into turn 5 and never looked back. Childree lapped closely behind for a few laps before Norton began to inch away on his way to Victory. The battle for the final podium spot never stopped with Behmer fighting for the pass on Elliott but at the checkered flag it was Kreece Elliott taking home the final podium spot and a nice paycheck for his efforts.

Burt Brothers King of the mountain Podium, P1 Anthony Norton, P2 Brian Childree, P3 Kreece Elliott. Photo By Richard Jellerson.

Race winner and Champion Anthony Norton had this to say post-race… “That was a blast! Rad to have some fast visitors this weekend. Battling through the top 3 in the opening laps was controlled chaos and a lot of fun. Pleasure to race with them (Childree, Elliott, Behmer). It’s been one heck of a season and I’m super proud of my whole team for their racing efforts and the support they give me. Special thanks to Dale with Racers Edge Dunlop helping me to win our 3rd straight #1 plate. Couldn’t do any of this without my friends and sponsors at Precision Fab Machinery, Legal Ride NV, Apex Assassins, and Crossbeam Builders. Also thankful for Burt Brothers Tire and Service who supports this class and the club making racing more achievable and more rewarding as well with some generous purse money.”

Anthony Norton with his signature “Stoppie” celebration after winning King of the Mountain Race. Photo By Crystal Doll.

The Young Powersports Lightweight Superbike class is a collective of bikes and combined class consisting of expert and novice racers. The class races both days and the Saturday race was quite a show. Josh Lerner would take the win with a significant lead in race 1 aboard his Kramer but the next 4 riders would battle throughout the race. Championship Contender Martina Velcheva would lead this group in 2nd early on with Scott Christensen and Dustin Lance not letting her off easy, all 3 riding the new ZX4RR. Sean Groenstein was also in the fight for the podium. The 4 would exchange spots countless times but Christensen would begin to sneak away in 2nd, followed by the sweet sound and smell of the 2-stroke NSR machine piloted by Groenstein in 3rd. Lance would finish 4th and Velcheva brought her machine across the line in 5th. Race 2 on Sunday was all about the top 2 title contenders, Kyle Kacprzynski and Martina Velcheva. Martina had to win and hope that some riders could put themselves between her and Kyle for her shot at the Title. Martina did her job running away with a commanding lead and winning this battle, but Kyle would be the next bike across the line winning the war and the Championship. Great season for both Riders.

Martina Velcheva (509) leading Dustin Lance (327) and Sean Groenstein (110) in lightweight sbk race. Photo by Crystall Doll.

The final Race of the weekend and the sadly the season was the “run what you brung” Deseret Dash. Experts and Novices both race in this class but are scored separately. Winning the final Mountain Motor Club Open Deseret Dash Expert race was Justen Behmer on his Zx10R and the Redline Realty Novice class winner would be Landon Richey with his Ducati V4 machine. A fun race to put a stamp on the 2025 UtahSBA season.

Club President Brian Childree gave his final thoughts on a very successful season stating: “What an incredible way to close out the season! Round 6 delivered our biggest turnout yet. Racers hitting 180mph down the full straight, more than 20 teams competing in our 3-hour endurance, and close battles across every class. We were proud to welcome riders from Arizona, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah of course, even Mexico and Canada. All came here to compete head-to-head with Utah’s best. I couldn’t be prouder of what our club has built this year. Our Board members, volunteers, track staff, and of course the racers, poured their energy and passion into making this season a success and thanks to them we have set a new standard. We’re already looking ahead to 2026 and the ways we can make this series even better.”

This was the final round of superbike racing for the UtahSBA, not just for this season, but the club is rebranding and reaffirming the mission to make this series the premier destination for Roadracing in the western United States. More details to come on what’s next for the club but we’re sure you’ll want to be a part of what’s in store for 2026. Their last event for 2025 is the annual awards banquet which will be held October 18th at the Ken Garff University Club in Salt Lake City, UT. All those having business with this season or next including Racers, Family, Sponsors and more are encouraged to attend. Buy your tickets through Motorsportreg.com or visit Utahsba.com for more details including full season results and championship standings.

USBA 2025 Round 6 RRW

MotoAmerica Previews This Weekend’s Circuit Of The Americas Round

Michael Gougis

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September 10, 2025

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MotoAmerica Previews This Weekend’s Circuit Of The Americas Round

The 2025 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship is reaching what promises to be a fever-pitched conclusion as the series heads to the penultimate round at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, this weekend, with three riders within striking distance of earning the coveted Superbike crown.

The three men still in the fight are Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Bobby Fong, Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier, and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin.

Fong leads Beaubier by 17 points, with near-season-long points leader Herrin now on the outside looking in at 27 points behind. However, there are 125 points still on the board, with 50 of them up for grabs this weekend in Texas and 75 points more awaiting the pack with a tripleheader finale slated for New Jersey Motorsports Park, September 26-28.

So how did they get to this point?

Fong is atop the point standings because he has been on a heater for the past seven races, with five wins in a row, a second, and a third vaulting him to where he is now. At the top. Fong won race one at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course to take his streak to five, but his third-place finish in race two put an end to that.

It was Beaubier who snapped the streak with the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion winning race two at Mid-Ohio in a record-breaking performance for the Californian. The win was Beaubier’s 90th career victory across all AMA road race classes, moving him out of a tie with Josh Hayes and making him the all-time leader in that category. It also ended a drought of 10 races without a victory for Beaubier, dating back to May and round two at Road Atlanta.

Of Beaubier’s 90 wins, 69 of them have come in the Superbike class.

If the most recent round at Mid-Ohio was a big one for Fong and Beaubier for different reasons, it was a disastrous one for Herrin.

It began with qualifying with the defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion missing out on a front-row start for the first time this season. Herrin’s time was a tick over a second slower than Beaubier’s pole-winning lap time.

Things got worse in the two races with Herrin ending up seventh in race one after his Mid-Ohio meltdown started with him not wanting the race to start because of the oil-dry that was used in the right-hander at the end of the backstraight. The race went on, however, with Herrin almost crashing in the same corner. By the time he regained his composure, he was well back and had to fight his way up to seventh by the end of the 16-lap race.

On Sunday, things got even worse for Herrin. After he and Fong bumped on the seventh lap, both went off track. Herrin, however, got the worst of it. While Fong was able to rejoin quickly, and ultimately finished third, Herrin tipped over at low speed when he ran out of real estate and hit the air fence. By the time he got going again, Herrin was well down the order. Then, to make matters worse, he ended up crashing out of the race and suffered a right-leg injury.

Herrin’s horrible three-race stretch (he also crashed out of the lead in race two at VIR) translated to just 11 points while Fong scored 66 points and Beaubier tallied 49 points in the same three-race span.

Thus, the standings heading into COTA are Fong (278), Beaubier (261) and Herrin (251).

The best of the rest heading into the 16th and 17th races of the season has been Fong’s Attack Performance Progressive Yamaha Racing teammate Jake Gagne. Gagne and Fong are the only two riders in the top five who have scored points in all 15 races, and that consistency sees Gagne a comfortable fourth in the championship with one win and seven total podiums, including his second-place finish behind Beaubier in race two at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Vision Wheel M4 Suzuki’s Richie Escalante is fifth in the standings. Escalante has two podiums in 2025 and has scored points in 14 of the 15 races. He will be fighting the rest of the way to keep his teammate Sean Dylan Kelly behind him in the title chase. The two are separated by just 15 points heading to COTA, the site of Kelly’s first-career Superbike win a year ago and one of Escalante’s favorite tracks on the calendar.

Lurking behind those two is Real Steel Honda’s JD Beach, the runaway leader of the Superbike Cup for those competing in the Superbike class on Stock 1000-spec motorcycles. Beach is just three points behind Kelly with the Kentuckian hot off a third-place Superbike finish in race one at Mid-Ohio.

Hayden Gillim is eighth, 19 points behind his Real Steel Honda teammate Beach and 36 points clear of BPR Yamaha Racing’s Bryce Kornbau.

Aftercare Scheibe Racing’s Danilo Lewis rounds out the top 10 in the championship point standings heading into the Texas round.

Pre-COTA Notes…

Last year’s Superbike round at Circuit of The Americas consisted of three Superbike races, with one on Saturday and two on Sunday. The big winner of the three was Cameron Beaubier with the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion winning race one and three and finishing second in race two to Sean Dylan Kelly. On Saturday, Beaubier topped Josh Herrin and Richie Escalante in race one. In race two on Sunday, Kelly took the win with Beaubier second and Herrin third. Sunday’s finale was won by Beaubier over Herrin and Kelly.

Cameron Beaubier earned pole position for the three Superbike races with his lap-record-breaking 2:06.559 besting Josh Herrin and Loris Baz. Beaubier was the only rider to get into the 2:06s. Row two consisted of Sean Dylan Kelly, Richie Escalante, and Xavi Forés.

Of the 15 MotoAmerica Superbike races held at COTA, non-Americans have won nine of them. The all-time win leader at COTA is Toni Elias, the now-retired Spaniard winning six races in Texas. The riders with the second most victories at COTA are Danilo Petrucci, with the Italian winning both races in 2022; Josh Herrin, who won a race in 2019 and won race two in 2023; and Cameron Beaubier, who won two of the three races last year. The third foreigner to win at COTA is Mathew Scholtz with the South African winning race one in 2018 for Westby Racing.

Suzuki is the manufacturer with the most MotoAmerica Superbike wins at COTA with seven. Yamaha has four victories in Austin with Josh Herrin giving Ducati its third win in Texas in 2023. BMW won all three races last year with Cameron Beaubier (two) and Sean Dylan Kelly (one).

With Cameron Beaubier finally winning his 90th AMA race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course a few weeks ago, the victory brought his Superbike win total to 69. It wasn’t long ago that Mat Mladin’s Superbike win tally of 82 seemed to be out of reach. Beaubier, however, is now just 13 wins away from tying the Australian at the top of the all-time AMA Superbike win list.

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Talent Cup, Super Hooligan National Championship, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com, and MotoAmerica’s social platforms on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on-demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

BSB Sportbike: American Gus Rodio Debuts at Donington Park

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 10, 2025

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BSB Sportbike: American Gus Rodio Debuts at Donington Park

What a weekend it’s been! Our first outing as luxeStar VIP Suzuki in the SportBike class at the British Super Bikes Championship was nothing short of exhilarating. From torrential rain to record-breaking laps, the debut was packed with challenges, triumphs, and unforgettable moments.

A Wet Welcome at Donington Park

We rolled into Donington Park on Thursday under a sky that seemed determined to drown our spirits. The forecast was grim, but thankfully, the weather held off for most of the weekend, allowing us to focus on what really mattered—racing.

Gus Rodio Takes on the Challenge

Our rider, Gus Rodio, flew in from the United States accompanied by his father Kevin Rodio and mechanic Rich Marshall, ready to tackle a weekend of firsts:

First time racing at Donington Park
First time riding the Suzuki GSX-8R
First time on Pirelli tyres

That’s a mountain of new experiences to climb, especially in the ultra-competitive National SportBike class, where every rider is fast and fearless.

Rising to the Occasion

Despite the steep learning curve, Gus adapted quickly. His feedback was sharp, his pace improved with every session, and his determination was palpable. He finished the race in 12th place—but here’s the kicker: his fastest lap came on the final lap of the race, and it was the fastest lap of the entire field. Had the race gone on for just five more laps, Gus would likely have overtaken several riders ahead of him. That’s how strong his pace was.

Rodio on the grid before his first race in the SportBike class at Donington Park. Photo credit: Ian Hopgood Photography.

Back to the States—For Now

As we write this, Gus is boarding a flight back to the U.S. to continue his campaign in the MotoAmerica Series. But we’re already looking ahead to his return at Brands Hatch in mid-October. He’s raced there before, and now that he’s dialed in with the Suzuki, we’re optimistic about what’s to come.

A Huge Thank You

This weekend wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from our team and partners:

Mats Petersson for providing the bike and infrastructure

John Thornley for his top-tier mechanical expertise

Scott Rehl of luxeStar VIP for unwavering support

Holly the Brolly – Holly Harris – a great racer in her own right.

BigMoto, Classic Team Suzuki, Team GB Racing, HEL Performance, EBC, Envy Racing Apparel and other product suppliers joining us for future rounds

Your contributions have been invaluable.

Spotlight on Asher Durham

Another standout performance came from Asher Durham, also supported by luxeStar VIP and racing for the PowerSlide Suzuki Team. Asher battled fiercely with the leading group and clinched a well-earned 2nd place finish, propelling him to 2nd in the championship standings. We’re proud to play even a small part in his success.

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning for Luxar VIP Suzuki Racing. With talent like Gus and Asher, and a passionate team behind them, the future looks fast and bright. We’re fired up for the next round and can’t wait to see what unfolds at Brands Hatch.

Until then—keep the throttle open and the passion alive.

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AMA Hall of Fame Days Scheduled On October 23-26

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 10, 2025

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AMA Hall of Fame Days Scheduled On October 23-26

AMA Hall of Fame Days to include Induction Ceremony, Bike Night and plenty of racing.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — In a grand celebration of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2025, the American Motorcyclist Association has a full weekend of activities scheduled for AMA Hall of Fame Days, which runs Oct. 23-26.

Centered around the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, AMA Hall of Days features plenty of exciting opportunities for all motorcycle enthusiasts, including AMA Hall of Famers on site, a bike night, racing in a variety of disciplines, and much more!

“AMA Hall of Fame Days is a grand celebration of the legends, heroes, advocates, promoters and achievers who have shaped the landscape of American motorcycling,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. “The Hall of Fame Induction ceremony welcomes the incoming Hall of Fame class, and a full weekend of activities follows to raise money for the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that helps fund the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will kick off the week, with Dana Bell, Chris Carter, Colin Edwards, Joe Kopp, Chad Reed and Ryan Young entering the prestigious collection of AMA Hall of Famers on Thursday, Oct. 23, in the auditorium of the Event Center at Violet Woods (formerly the Wigwam Event Center) in Pickerington, Ohio.

Following the induction ceremony, a cocktail reception will be held at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, during which the inductees will introduce their hall of fame displays within the museum. Heavy hor d’oeuvres will be served at the cocktail reception.

Purchase tickets today at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-members/induction-ceremony/ .

On Friday, Oct. 24, the AMA Hall of Fame Heritage Adventure Ride will depart from the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and take riders on a scenic journey through Southern Ohio. All participants must be AMA members, and those interested can find more information atAmericanMotorcyclist.com/events/heritage-adventure-ride/ .

Saturday, Oct. 25, is packed with racing action, in addition to an AMA Hall of Fame Bike Night.

The morning starts with the AMA Adventure X Time Trials, which allows riders the opportunity to ride the adventure loop on the AMA Campus, and compete for medals. Entry is $30 for one class and $20 for additional classes. More information can be found atAmericanMotorcyclist.com/events/scheduled-events/adventure-x-time-trials/ .

Following the Adventure X Time Trials, riders can compete in the AMA Pitbike Moto on the pitbike track at the AMA’s campus. Sessions will be enforced depending on rider count, and flaggers will be on hand to ensure a safe and smooth riding experience. Racers can register at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/events/scheduled-events/ama-pit-bike-moto/ .

Run by Trials Inc., a Vintage Trials session will also be run on the adventure loop on the AMA Campus following the Adventure X Time Trials. More details can be found atwww.dabtracker.com/TI/ .

Saturday culminates in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Night, which will include vendor displays, a bike show, food trucks, 50/50 raffle, and much more! Check outAmericanMotorcyclist.com/events/scheduled-events/ama-bike-nights/ for more details.

Also on Saturday is the AMA Road Captain Workshop, which is exclusively for AMA members who want to lead group road rides more successfully and safely. VisitAmericanMotorcyclist.com/riding/riding-resources/road-captain-workshop/ for more information.

Running concurrently with AMA Hall of Fame Days are Competition Commission meetings, which aim to establish the best practices for both racers and race organizers, while addressing common concerns surrounding fairness and competitiveness of motorcycle racing in America.

R.I.P.: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer John Penton

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 10, 2025

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R.I.P.: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer John Penton

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association mourns the passing of John Penton, one of motorcycling’s most influential and well-known figures. Penton passed peacefully at 100 years of age, having recently celebrated his 100th birthday.

Born on Aug. 19, 1925, Penton and his brothers learned to ride after reviving an old 1914 Harley-Davidson they found in their barn. But when World War II began, Penton shifted his emphasis to defense of the country, serving during the war as a Merchant Marine and in the Navy.

After the war he bought a used Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, heading with his brother Bill to Lansing, Michigan, to ride in the grueling Jack Pine 500-Mile Enduro in 1948. It was at that race that Penton realized that the days of larger bikes like Harleys and Indians were likely numbered in races like the Jack Pine when he saw a lighter, nimbler BSA beating the more powerful bikes.

Penton returned to the Jack Pine the next year on a B-33 BSA and finished second, which was the beginning of his mission to find a smaller, lighter and better-performing enduro motorcycle.

Penton went on to open a motorcycle dealership with his brothers while also continuing to race, winning the Ohio State Enduro Championship and many other enduros throughout the Midwest. In 1960 he won the AMA’s Most Popular Rider Award.

Later becoming a Husqvarna distributor after winning the Jack Pine aboard a Husky in 1966, Penton toured the Husqvarna factory in Europe in 1967 and tried to convince the manufacturer to begin building lightweight off-road machines, which Penton saw as the future of off-road riding and racing.

His idea was met with a lukewarm reception, so he went to visit the KTM factory in Austria, where his idea of a lightweight off-road bike was greeted with slightly more enthusiasm. He offered to put up $6,000 of his own money if KTM would build a handful of prototypes to his specifications, and KTM agreed.

In early 1968, Penton took delivery of six Penton 100cc prototypes, promptly entering them in races and putting other top riders on the bikes. Right from the start there was a big demand for the Pentons, which were lightweight and inexpensive, and in the first year over 400 were sold. More than a decade later, over 25,000 highly-competitive Penton motorcycles had been sold in America.

Penton’s innovations also included improving boots for off-road riders by working with Alpinestars of Italy to produce legendary Hi-Point boots.

For his innovation and contributions to the industry with Husqvarna, Penton, Hi-Point and in a many other ways, Penton was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.

See John Penton’s AMA Hall of Fame biography here:

http://hof.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=84&lpos=-410px&letter=P&txtFname=&rblFname=S&txtLname=&rblLname=S&discipline=0

The Penton brothers in 1950, from left, Bill, Ted, John, Ike. Photo courtesy Davey Coombs.

More, from Davey Coombs:

John Penton (1925-2025)

The world of motorcycling lost one of its true giants earlier this week when John Penton passed away. The man who helped shape off-road racing and the motorcycle business in America, as well as his early influence on now global companies like KTM in Austria and Alpinestars in Italy, made him one of the most influential figures in the growth of off-road racing as well as the aftermarket industry. Just a few weeks ago we were celebrating Penton’s 100th birthday, as his hometown of Amherst, Ohio, shut down one afternoon in August for a centennial celebration. Born into a farming family with three older brothers, Penton learned how to ride on a 1914 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that his dad had left in the corner of the family barn. He went into the merchant marine and then the U.S. Navy when World War 2 broke out. And then he became one of the best motorcycle riders in the country in the 1950s, winning AMA National Enduro Championships and setting records for transcontinental solo rides across the U.S., including one for riding from New York City to Los Angeles in just 52 hours. Penton and his brothers opened a motorcycle dealership in the 1950s that sold the lightweight two-stroke European brands John Penton preferred over the heavier American and British four-stroke brands of the day. He had an idea to make a trail-specific lightweight motorcycle that would be mass-produced, so he built a business plan and took it to Sweden to meet with Husqvarna. They passed on the idea, but the next place that Penton went to–KTM in Austria, at the time a moped and bicycle maker–liked his idea enough to go into business with him.

John Penton on a German built NSU. Photo courtesy Davey Coombs.

In 1968 the first Penton motorcycle was produced to be sold in America, and the same model would be available in Europe under the KTM label. For ten years it worked that way, and Penton ended up selling more than 25,000 of his eponymously named motorcycles. They were primarily for woods racing, but they were also competitive motocross bikes. In fact, in 1974 KTM-mounted Gennady Moiseev won the FIM 250cc World Motocross Championship on one, then added two more by the end of the decade.

It was in the late ’70s that KTM decided to buy the U.S. distribution from Penton, effectively ending the line, though every KTM to this day has John Penton as part of its DNA. By that point he had moved on to other projects in the industry, under the banner of Hi-Point Racing Products. That all started with him contracting with Alpinestars, at the time the maker of climbing boots and road-riding boots, to make a dirt bike-specific boot that was sold in the U.S. under the Hi-Point brand. He also licensed and sold lubricants, tires, bike trailers, and more. All the while he kept him family and his company in his native Ohio.

John Penton, circa 2004. Photo courtesy Davey Coombs.

After retiring from the business Penton’s legacy was cemented by writers like Ed Youngblood, who wrote the biography “John Penton and the Motorcycle Revolution,” as well as filmmakers like Todd Huffman, who produced the documentary “Penton: The John Penton Story.” He was a charter member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, entering in 1998 as a member of its first class. His legacy was further solidified by all of the riders and people he worked with that would eventually join him in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, including his sons Jack and Tom Penton, who were both world-class off-road racers, as well as Dick Burleson, Rod Bush, Billy Uhl, Larry Maiers, and more.

Given his deep passion for motorcycling, his love of competition, his endurance records and his extraordinary life, it’s only fitting that John Penton completed 100 laps around the sun.

John Penton Turns 100 Years Old. Photo courtesy SuperMotocross Media — John Penton recently turned 100 Years Old. Photo Courtesy Ken Hill.

ASRA: 2025 Ozarks REVFEST Starts This Thursday

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 9, 2025

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ASRA: 2025 Ozarks REVFEST Starts This Thursday

This weekend Ozarks International Raceway – September 10-14

Thursday/Friday practice day with EvolveGT
Move in begins 6pm Wednesday
Double points weekend
ASRA double header weekend

EvolveGT riders on track at Ozarks International Raceway. Photo courtesy EvolveGT.

Race registration is open for Ozarks September 10-14
This event will also feature the new Time Trials series.
You do not need a race license to compete in the time trials.
Garages for the event under the tickets section.

The 58-bay garage at Ozarks International Raceway. Photo courtesy Ozarks International Raceway.

INFO PACKET HERE

RACE REGISTRATION HERE

2025-race-day-schedules-OZARK-9-12_13-2

Overhead view of Ozarks International Raceway.

Stunt shows to concerts, ride alongs, parade laps, tours of the track, food, drinks and a parachute jump in! You can ride the trackday, race or just hang out! We made a special website just for it with all the details – REVFEST.

APRILIA will be on hand the weekend with demo bikes.
The most incredible track in the U.S.

A photo showing an EvolveGT rider on course at Ozarks Raceway. Photo courtesy EvolveGT.

About REVFEST:

REVFEST is more than just motorcycle racing events—it’s a revolution in motorsport culture. Born from a passion for speed, community, and the relentless pursuit of adrenaline, we’ve created a platform where amateur and professional racers come together to celebrate racing.

Since our founding in 2022, we’ve been breaking boundaries and building bridges between different racing disciplines. Our events feature competitive racing, skill development workshops, and community gatherings that bring together people who share our love for the sport.

Oceania Junior Cup: Race Results From Philip Island

Mathilde Gasnier

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September 9, 2025

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Oceania Junior Cup: Race Results From Philip Island

The 2025 BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) redefined the meaning of close racing when round four was held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on September 6-7.

It was mesmerising from start to finish, kicked off in spectacular fashion when 20 riders and their striking Yamaha YZF-R15s flashed across the line separated by just 1.648 seconds in race one.

Xavier Curmi came out of the Saturday rolling scrum with the biggest smile before New Zealand wildcard Lucas Hyslop and Callum Campbell won the two races on Sunday.

With slipstreaming a key battle front at Phillip Island, it was nigh on impossible for riders to break free, which placed an extra premium on race craft and again emphasised why the class is the perfect launching pad to begin circuit racing.

The top two at Phillip Island: Xavier Curmi (left) and Callum Campbell. Photo credit RbMotoLens

Campbell (11-2-1) and Curmi (1-5-7) finished on equal top-scoring points at Phillip Island, with the former awarded the overall courtesy of a higher finishing position in race three.

Hunter Charlett (4-6-2) was third overall, which helped him move up from fifth to fourth in the championship on 176pts.

At the front, Connor Lewis (222pts) is the new leader in the official Australian Junior Road Race Championship class over Chaz Williams (213pts) and Curmi (179pts).

race 1

The weekend started well for Williams – who had led the OJC standings from race one at Sydney Motorsport Park – when he was second in race one after starting from the front row of the grid, before he went down within sight of the finish line in race two.

That saw Lewis take over the championship lead, which he extended to 9pts in race three when he finished third and Williams was sixth.

But with two rounds and six races still remaining, the 2025 OJC battle is still exceptionally wide open.

For the Phillip Island OJC results and updated standings, click here.

race 2

race 3

The penultimate round will be held at One Raceway from October 3-5, alongside the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul.

The race two finish, with wildcard Lucas Hyslop defeating Callum Campbell by 0.009 seconds. Photo credit RbMotoLens

Meanwhile, expressions of interest are now open for riders aged between 11 and 16 to join the OJC grid in 2026.

The OJC is officially part of the global Road to MotoGP program and supported by the FIM and FIM Oceania with dedicated coaching, rider training, media and PR development and a host of high-performance training programs.

For more information and to submit an expression of interest, click here.

AFT Heads To Lake Ozark Short Track

September 11, 2025

Dallas Daniels (32), Trent Lowe (48), Briar Bauman (3), Declan Bender (70), Henry Wiles (911), and Brandon Price (92) race down the front straightaway during the Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event in Springfield during the Springfield Mile II event. Photo by Tim Lester / courtesy American Flat Track.