Brandon Robinson Takes Lima Half-Mile Win
Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) earned his first victory of the 2022 AFT season in the Mission Lima Half-Mile at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio on June 25 (Round 7). The breakthrough was Robinson's second Lima triumph, the first coming back in 2016.
Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle
Over the past few seasons, Robinson has established himself as the Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle rider most likely to steal the occasional win away from class dominators Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750/third) and Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750/fourth).
However, on this night, Robinson had to overcome the challenge of the series' newest star in Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07/second) to get to the checkered flag first with a 2.766second margin of victory; Daniels' teammate JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) was in fifth.
Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) finished in sixth just ahead of Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) seventh and Davis Fisher (No. 67 Bob Lanphere's BMC Racing Indian FTR750) in eighth.
Cory Texter (No. 100 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) was the top Mission Production Twins Challenge entrant in ninth, while Brandon Price (No. 92 Pro One Industries/Mission Foods KTM Duke 890) rounded out the top ten in his first ride aboard the KTM.
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Defending Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines champion Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) has been quietly keeping his hopes for a third and final class crown alive by clawing his way to gritty seconds, thirds, and fourths on nights he just didn't have the speed to contend for the win.
Texter was anything but quiet at Allen County Fairgrounds, however, registering a lopsided victory to narrow the gap to title leader Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R/second) to just a single point. The win was Texter's second of the season and his (and Yamaha's) first ever at Lima.
Billy Ross (No. 109 Mission Foods/Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R/third) proved his win at Laconia was no fluke by following up that maiden victory with a second-career podium, with Cameron Smith (No. 34 Thee Cathy Gray/Al Barker Yamaha MT-07) fourth and Cole Zabala (No. 51 Memphis Shades/Corbin/Vinson Yamaha MT-07) fifth.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
With each successive race, Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) continues to further the case that he's the odds-on favorite to claim this year's Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER crown.
At Lima, Kopp scored a second consecutive blowout victory, his fourth win among six top-twos in just seven attempts this season. The emerging superstar gapped the field within a single lap and then piled it on from there, ultimately winning with more than four seconds in hand.
Kopp's mastery was reminiscent of that of his father, 2000 Grand National Champion Joe Kopp, who won three times at the circuit.
While there was little drama in deciding the podium, the race still proved to be a spectacular showcase for the future stars of the sport. Joining 17-year-old Kopp in the spotlight were a pair of 16-year-old phenoms.
Australian Tom Drane (No. 359 Construction Supply Specialists/ICCONS KTM 450 SX-F) earned a remarkable runner-up result in his Progressive AFT debut while Rookie of the Year hopeful Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) scooped up his second consecutive third-place finish.
Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) came home fourth, while James Ott (No. 19 MediaHT/G&G Racing KTM 450 SX-F) won out in a tight scrap for fifth ahead of Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R).
Next up the series heads to Weedsport, NY for the New York Short Track (Round 8 - July 2) and the Port Royal (Pennsylvania) Half Mile (Round 9) on July 17.
After that the season starts its swing West, stopping in Illinois for the Peoria TT (July 30 - round 10); then it is Sturgis Rally time with the Black Hills Half Mile at the Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City on August 6 before heading to Castle Rock in Washington and the Sacramento, California at the end of August.
September sees the Springfield Miles I & II on the first weekend and the Cedar Laker Short Track at New Richmond, Wi., at the end of the month.
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Standings
Mission SuperTwins Presented by S&S Cycle
Mission Production Twins Presented by Vance & Hines
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
