AFT: Bauman Says Daniels Has An "Insane Team"
AFT:
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 26, 2025) – It took the Harley-Davidson XG750R more than eight Progressive American Flat Track seasons, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, to at last earn its maiden Mission AFT SuperTwins victory. It took just one more race to get its second. Both wins came courtesy of two-time Grand National Champion Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R), who was again in spectacular form at Ventura Raceway en route to a second consecutive victory in the Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track presented by Law Tigers.

While Bauman ended the night in glory, the spotlight panned back and forth throughout the day. Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) held the upper hand for the bulk of the event with his stiffest challenge arguably coming from Suzuki-mounted Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Suzuki GSX-8S), who actually came out on top of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.

Meanwhile, the likes of Max Whale (No. 18 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), Logan McGrane (No. 14 Schaeffer's Motorsports/Rick Canode KTM 790 Duke), and James Ott (No. 19 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07) jockeyed for podium positions in the early going of the Main after Daniels took the holeshot, but the genuine shape of the race would quickly be made evident.

Despite demonstrating largely pedestrian speed in the lead-up to the Main, once there Bauman pounced on Daniels in the opening handful of laps. While the Estenson Racing star attempted to work out a way in which to counter, he also had to contend with the charging Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Fastrack Racing/Wally Brown Racing KTM 790 Duke), who powered his way into third where he set his sights past Daniels and on Bauman.

A red flag provided both Daniels and VanDerKooi with a second chance at corralling Bauman, but neither were able to take advantage. Little changed after the restart, and the checkered flag eventually saw Bauman sail by with a 0.881-second margin of victory, while Daniels came out on top of a seesawing fight with VanDerKooi for second.

Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) found his way into contention as he so often does to claim fourth, while Bromley closed out a standout day with a top-five Main Event showing.

Whale was also rewarded with a strong sixth, while Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke), Ott, Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Progressive Insurance Honda Transalp), and McGrane rounded out the top ten.

Bauman’s back-to-back victories not only put him level with Daniels in terms of wins on the season, it also catapulted him past the preseason title rival favorite in the early-season championship chase (84-81).

Bauman said, “I’m just proud of everyone on this Rick Ware Racing team. We’re just digging on this thing. I don’t know if it's a renaissance or a fairy tale, but we’re just doing our thing. I’m still so green on the bike – and when I show up and qualify ninth or tenth or whatever it was – it’s tough to think (that we’re the championship favorite). 

“We’re still putting one foot in front of the other, and Dallas has an incredible motorcycle and he’s an incredible racer. He’s got an insane team, and right now I think he’s going to win this championship. He’s heir to the throne, but I have worn the crown a few times, and I’m going to do my job and try to get it back.”
A D V E R T I S M E N T
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