Vanderkooi Steals the Show at Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale I
After multiple weather disruptions again reshaping the originally announced schedule this season, the 2022 Progressive American Flat Track series final reached a crescendo at the Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida, in October.
Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle
Despite all the advance hype of a four-way title fight, it was Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) who nonetheless stole the show by earning his long-awaited maiden Progressive American Flat Track premier-class victory in the 14 October Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale I.
At the same time, Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) pulled off a sensational around-the-outside overtake on Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) to steal runner-up honors in the race’s final corner, which all but ended Bauman's title chances as well. JD Beach took fourth on the ever-improving Yamaha MT-07, with Brandon Robinson in fifth (FTR750).
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Title leader Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) took a major step towards his first-career Progressive AFT championship by scoring his seventh win of the year on 14 October.
Runner-up Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) continued his perfect podium streak on the season, notching up his seventh top-three in seven attempts. Meanwhile, Kolby Carlile (No. 36 KC36 Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R) took third - which saw him return to the podium for the first time since the season’s second round, after missing ten rounds while recovering from injury.
Mikey Rush (No. 15 Helipower Racing/Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R) was fourth, with Bromley's Memphis Shades/Corbin MT-07 teammate Cole Zabala fifth.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
With his championship campaign successfully done and dusted, recently crowned Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER champion Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) reminded the field exactly why he’s the category’s new master.
Freed up to once again push at his maximum, Kopp made a stunning restart from the second row, following an early red flag, winding his way through tight quarters and all the way up into second. Moments later, he executed an aggressive inside strike on Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) to take control of the lead.
Mees Successfully Defends His Crown at Volusia Half-Mile Finale II
Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) put the finishing touches on his successful title defense as a thrilling 2022 Progressive American Flat Track season came to its conclusion with the Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale II (October 15) at the Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida.
Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle
The defending Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle king was well positioned to retain the #1 plate after outdueling his title rivals the evening before. As a result, he only needed to avoid catastrophe in order to add yet another premier-class crown to his already incredible résumé.
Near catastrophe did come, in the Semi, when Mees made the save of the season - perhaps the save of his career - after hitting a bump and going airborne and sideways with his front wheel loft high in the air. Somehow, he not only stayed up on two wheels, but made a pass to take the checkered flag first.
With that drama out of the way, Mees basically just had to show up for the Main to win the title. Instead, he chose to fight, executing passes on the likes of Friday winner Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and rookie hero Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT).
Already firmly established as one of the greatest riders in the history of the sport, Mees now boasts a remarkable assortment of accomplishments, including the 2012, '14, '15, '17, '18, '21 and '22 Grand National Championships, the 2009 and 2011 GNC1 Twins Championships, and the 2012 GNC1 Singles Championship.
The race win went to Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), with Briar Bauman second (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750), Mees third, Dallas Daniels fourth and Vanderkooi fifth.
With Mees as champion again, second place in the season standings went to Briar Bauman, with Dallas Daniels third, JD Beach fourth and Brandon Robinson fifth.
Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Similar to the situation of Mees in the premier class, Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) got the hard work out of the way prior to the Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines finale, so his 8th spot was enough to complete the formalities of a career-first Progressive AFT title.
The race win went to Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07), with Dan Bromley second (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07), Cole Zabala third (No. 51 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07), James Rispoli (No. 43 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 890 Duke) in fourth and Kolby Carlile fifth (No. 36 KC36 Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R).
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) earned runner-up honors in the 2022 Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER standings in just about the most satisfying way possible, twice overhauling newly crowned champion Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE - second) en route to the season's final victory.
Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) was third, ahead of teammate Chase Saathoff in fourth, with Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) rounding out the top five.
Gauthier was second to Kopp in thew season's Championship standings, with Mischler third, Trevor Brunner fourth and Max Whale fifth.