DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 24, 2022) – There are few spectacles in motorsports that can compare with the world’s elite dirt trackers of Progressive American Flat Track battling inches apart at triple-digit speeds on a big Mile track. And the series will do so twice with an epic Memorial Day weekend doubleheader, the Mission Red Mile I & II presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexington at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 28 and 29.

While Miles are legendary for producing unpredictable action and close racing, recent history proves that the results are far from random; reigning Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) has established himself as the series’ dominant force on the big tracks in recent seasons.

That now-hardened reputation gathered its initial momentum in Progressive AFT’s first-ever stop at the Red Mile back in 2017. Prior to that visit, Mees had collected just three career Mile victories despite already owning a decorated, multi-championship-winning career. Now five seasons later, Mees boasts a remarkable 21 Mile wins, including all three at the Red Mile.

Mees’ most recent victory at the Red Mile came by just 0.056 seconds over his great rival, Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750), who also pushed him to the brink last time out at the I-70 Half-Mile. While the two are likely to further their historic clash in Lexington, they could very well have company.

Estenson Racing Yamaha teammates JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) have been extremely competitive early in 2022, and both will be gunning to deliver Yamaha its first Mile victory since Kenny Roberts won the 1975 Indy Mile on a TZ750-powered beast.

While it hasn’t been that long for Harley-Davidson, Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) has an opportunity to put the fabled marque back on top of the box for the first time since Brad Baker won the Santa Rosa Mile in 2016.

Several other riders have a legitimate shot at victory too, most notably Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), who flashed his familiar frontrunning form for the first time this year at the I-70 Half-Mile. You’d have to think Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Davis Fisher (No. 67 Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), and Brandon Price (No. 92 Racing Unlimited Kawasaki/Mission Foods Kawasaki Ninja 650) are all due for similar resurgences as well.

Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines

The Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines have only raced at the Red Mile on one previous occasion, but that race produced a familiar winner in the form of defending Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines champion Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07).

After a quiet opener, Texter has bounced back with a victory and a third, but he still finds himself chasing the surprising Nick Armstrong (No. 60 Competitive Racing Frames/Lessley Brothers Yamaha MT-07) in the points standings.

Third-ranked Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R), who dominated the I-70 Half-Mile, has been as impressive as any rider in the class. Along with his outstanding form in Mission Production Twins competition, Janisch has proven to be a serious thorn in the sides of the premier-class aces by way of the Mission Production Twins Challenge, which sees the top four finishers in the Mission Production Twins Main Event granted entry onto the Mission SuperTwins Main Event grid.

Several other riders have the skills to compete, including Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) and ‘20 class champ James Rispoli (No. 43 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 890 Duke), who will both be making noteworthy debuts at the Red Mile. For Lewis, the round represents the first-ever Mile for the factory Royal Enfield effort. Meanwhile for Rispoli, it’ll mark the first-ever race appearance of WBR’s all-new KTM 890 racebike.

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

The Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER class has pretty much been a three-man show thus far in 2022, and there’s no reason to think Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), and Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) won’t be fighting in the lead group again this weekend in Lexington.

Then again, the way the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles class works, particularly at the Miles, that lead group could easily include a dozen more riders in contention for the win. While Kopp, Whale, and Mischler have largely monopolized the podium this season, the likes of Trent Lowe (No. 48 Mission Foods/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda CRF450R), Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), Aiden RoosEvans (No. 26 Southern Illinois Motorsports Honda CRF450R), and Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) could easily make their mark this weekend.

Another rider to keep tabs on is Kevin Stollings (No. 99 Roof Systems/Ice Barn Honda CRF450R), the only rider in the field to have won at the Red Mile, dating back to his 2017 triumph at the venue.

In addition to the actual racing, there will much of interest to fans off the track as well. Rose Hayden, matriarch of famed Hayden family, will serve as Grand Marshal of the Mission Red Mile, just as her late husband, Earl, did when the series last visited the venue. On Saturday during Opening Ceremonies, Progressive AFT and several of its partners will present the Hayden family with a donation to the Nicky Hayden Memorial Foundation, which continues Nicky’s legacy by funding local charities that aid children in the Owensboro area.

There will be live radio remotes at the Red Mile on Friday and Saturday with ticket giveaways on site. And along with numerous vendors, food trucks, beverage options, and the Kids Zone, the high-energy three-piece group Pompous Jack, will be performing their blend of ‘80s rock, blues, and country at the track on both Saturday and Sunday. And Saturday night will conclude in fittingly celebratory fashion thanks to a post-event fireworks display.

Fans are also invited to attend the Red Mile Progressive American Flat Track Rider Meet & Greet at Indian Motorcycle of Lexington where they can meet their favorite riders, on Friday, May 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.

Reserve your seats for the Mission Red Mile I & II doubleheader today by visiting Progressive American Flat Track’s website at https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3722/.

A range of ticket options are available for purchase. General Admission – Standing Room Only, which provides ticket holders an excellent view of the track right along the front stretch, are available for just $25, with kids 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult. Other options include Reserved Grandstand tickets that provide outstanding views of the entire racetrack, a limited number of Mid-Level Box Seats, and the exclusive Turn 1 Hospitality Suite – VIP Experience.

Paddock Access Upgrades are available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT ahead of both evening’s Main Event programs.

The Mission Red Mile I will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, June 5, at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT., and the Mission Red Mile II will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, June 18, at 11:00 a.m. ET/8:00 a.m, PT. Both rounds will include exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com. To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.

How to Watch:

FOX Sports is the official home for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all 18 races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.