Briar Bauman Starts With a WIN
AFT Round I - Volusia Half-Mile
According to the AMA, "the 2022 Progressive American Flat Track season promised a new era of increased brand parity and - at least on its opening night with the Mission Volusia Half-Mile presented by Daytona Dodge at Volusia Speedway Park, Florida, March 11 - it certainly delivered."
The first round had been slated for March 10, but was delayed to March 12 before being abandoned altogether because of bad weather.
Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle
"While the virtuoso performance for victory on the part of 2019 and 2020 Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle champion Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) was nothing new, the finishing order behind him provided some fresh storylines.
"As Bauman went relatively unchallenged cruising to his 20th career premier-class victory, an intense battle for runner-up honors saw younger brother Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) second and JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) third.
The brand parity that was featured on the podium was reflected deeper down the order as well. Much-heralded Mission SuperTwins rookie Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) opened his premier-class career with an outstanding fourth, with reigning champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) fifth and 2021 third-ranked rider, Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Foods/Roof Systems Indian FTR750), sixth. Shayna Texter-Bauman, making her debut on the FTR750 for the 'Wrecking Crew' in the top class, brought it home in 13th spot.
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
In the deepest field in its short history, the Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines saw Nick Armstrong - the class' 17th ranked rider a year ago (No. 60 Competitive Racing Frames/Lessley Brothers Yamaha MT-07) - take the win, with established Production Twins powers Dan Bromley (No. 62 Vinson Construction/Viper Air Yamaha MT-07) and Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) taking second and third respectively.
Despite still recovering from the broken leg he suffered in last year's finale, Kolby Carlile (No. 36 KC36 Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R) came home fourth, with Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) making it three different makes in the top five.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
In the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER, Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) won from teammate and back-to-back class runner-up Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) in second, with 2019 class champ Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) third.
Trent Lowe (No. 48 Mission Foods/Al Lamb's Dallas Honda CRF450R) and Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) rounded out the top five.