PEORIA, Ill. (August 13, 2017) – American Flat Track witnessed a coronation of sorts on August 14 as Henry Wiles (No. 17 DPC Racing Kawasaki Ninja 650), "King Henry," extended his reign over the Peoria TT with nearly unthinkable 13 victories in succession.
Wiles' 13th triumph at the Peoria Motorcycle Club moved him equal in all-time wins at the legendary venue with the "Prince of Peoria" Chris Carr - the two masters representing two generations of racing royalty at the longest standing event in American Flat Track history.
The return of the Twins to Peoria for the first time in two decades provided a fitting platform, with the layout altered to accommodate a two-stage jump, introduced in anticipation of the heavier, more powerful machinery.
Wiles was in a class of his own, dominant as ever, firmly controlling the day's AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines action from start to finish. In addition to his Peoria accolades, Wiles' victory also saw him up his overall all-time TT wins record to 18.
Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian Motorcycle Rogers Racing Scout FTR750) continued to pile on the championship series points with a runner-up finish – his 13th podium finish in 14 races this season.
Mees will carry a 41-point advantage into the four-race homestretch with an eye on earning his fourth-career premier class championship.
Briar Bauman's third place on the Kawasaki Ninja 650 was his third podium finish of the season, adding to his wins at the Buffalo Chip TT and Lima Half Mile.
Bryan Smith (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750) finished fourth; the third "Wrecking Crew" member Brad Baker (No. 6 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750) completed the top five.
On the Harley-Davidson/Vance & Hines XG750Rs, Jake Johnson was 10th, Brandon Robinson 12th and Kenny Coolbeth Jr. 16th.
There is now another three-week break before battle will be resumed at the second Springfield, Illinois Mile of the season (Round 15, September 3), followed a week later by the Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half Mile (Round 16, September 9) at Mechanicsburg, PA.
After the Indian Motorcycle presented Lone Star Half Mile at Fort Worth, Texas (Round 17, September 23), the AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines series will reach its crescendo at the AFT Finals presented by Indian Motorcycle at Perris, Southern California (inland from Los Angeles) on October 7.
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