Daniels Strikes Back at Bridgeport Half-Mile
On a weekend that saw a full set of race disciplines (SuperTwins, Singles, Hooligans and Royal Enfield's Build. Train. Race. program), rising star Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) claimed a cathartic victory in the Drag Specialties Bridgeport Half-Mile (July 20, 2023) as Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, made an unforgettable debut at Bridgeport Speedway in Swedesboro, New Jersey.
Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle
Daniels’ triumph came by a scant 0.095 seconds over his title rival, Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750), with JD Beach third (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), Davis Fisher fourth (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), and Brandon Robinson fifth (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) - all of whom were in contention for the win at various stages.
The victory couldn’t have been better timed for the Estenson Racing ace, as he simultaneously halted Mees’ momentum and reclaimed the title lead, if only by two points (280-278). The win was Daniels’ first-ever Half-Mile triumph in the premier class, moving him to within a TT win of the Grand Slam. It also saw him up his season-long podium streak to 13 in the process.
The top ten was dominated by six FTR750 riders, with three on Yamaha's MT-07 and one on the KTM 490 Duke with Briar Bauman sixth, Vanderkooi seventh, Wiles in eighth, Ben Lowe in ninth and Cameron Smith 10th (No. 34 Martin Trucking/Fredericktown Yamaha MT-07).
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) continued the difficult start he is having to his AFT career, scoring a third Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER victory in just 14 attempts.
His teammate Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) was second, with Max Whale in third (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F), to make it two Aussies in the top three.
Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) executed an impressive climb of his own, battling his way from the LCQ and an early 13th-place position to round out the top five. Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) was fourth, ahead of Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) in fifth.
The top ten was dominated by four Honda CRF450Rs, with three KTM 450 SX-F riders (plus a Husqvarna FC450 - essentially a badged KTM 450 SX-F), and saw the two Yamaha YZ450Fs in first and second.
Next Up: July 30 will see the series head to Illinois for the Peoria TT (Round 14). That was due to be the first of what would have been three consecutive TT races, but instead the annual trip to South Dakota at Sturgis Rally time will see a Black Hills Half-Mile at Black Hills Speedway replacing the originally planned Buffalo Chip TT on Sunday, August 6.
The final TT of the year will wrap up the West Coast race program at Castle Rock, Washington State, on August 12, with the season then reaching its crescendo with the two Springfield Mile races on September 2 and 3 (Rounds 17 and 18).
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