American Flat Track closed out a historic 2018 season at East Rutherford, New Jersey, (October 7) with a massive crowd witnessing epic racing at the first ever AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines Meadowlands Mile (presented by Ducati) on a unique multi-line and highly challenging circuit.
At the end of the AFT Twins event, Bryan Smith (No. 4 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750) got the better of teammate/rival Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle Rogers Racing SDI Scout FTR750) in a performance that sets the stage for a thrilling 2019.
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| Photo Credit: Scott Hunter/American Flat Track |
Mees has reigned over the AFT Twins class “with an iron wrist” for the majority of the past two seasons, storming to a pair of dominant AFT Twins national championships. Smith, meanwhile, suffered in his wake, at one point going more than a calendar year between victories, but he underscored his late-season resurgence, closing out his 2018 campaign with three victories in the final four races.
Jeffrey Carver Jr. (No. 23 Roof Systems of Dallas/Indian of Metro Milwaukee Scout FTR750) took third with Briar Bauman (No. 14 Zanotti Racing Indian Scout FTR750) fourth. Though second in New Jersey, Mees walked away from 2018 with an astonishing 10 victories, 15 podiums, and a 93-point championship margin over 18 races.
The finale marked the final race of a legend’s career, Kenny Coolbeth (No. 2 Nila Racing, Columbia Avionics Indian Scout FTR750), who registered yet another competitive ride, rounding out his decorated career with a seventh-place performance.
The AFT Singles season finale saw Shayna Texter (No. 52 Husqvarna Motorcycles/JCS Racing FC 450) grabbing the win ahead of fellow ‘Mile Master’ Kolby Carlile (No. 1 Estenson Racing/McCandless Truck Center Yamaha YZ450F). The victory was Texter’s third of the season and the first-ever Mile win for the Husqvarna FC 450. The triumph also cemented her position as the AFT Singles class’ all-time winningest rider, upping her career tally to 14. The 2018 AFT Singles champion Dan Bromley (No. 62 KTM North America/Bromley Motorsports 450 SX-F) concluded his season with his 13th podium finish of the season in third. Next season will see Carlile racing in the Twins Class.
The prior weekend had seen Bryan Smith win the Indian Motorcycle Minnesota Mile (September 29). Dramatically, Briar Bauman (No. 14 Zanotti Racing Indian Scout FTR750), fresh from his first victory of 2018 at the Williams Grove Half-Mile, looked certain to continue to take the win for his first-career Mile victory when he ran out of fuel when holding a massive lead with just two of 25 laps remaining.
Henry Wiles was second (No. 17 Bandit Industries/Wilco Racing/Willy Built Indian Scout FTR750), with Robert Pearson (No. 27 R/J Performance/Hite Trucking Indian Scout FTR750) third for his second-ever AFT Twins podium. Chad Close was fourth, with Jeffrey Carver Jr fifth; Champion Jared Mees was a rare DNF - ending his hopes of equaling the legendary Ricky Graham for most wins in a single season at 12.
In the singles 2017, Champion Kolby Carlile took a 0.196 win from 2018 champion Dan Bromley, who scooped his 12th podium in 17 races.