DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The world’s best flat track dirt track racers will be back in action this weekend as American Flat Track arrives at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Ga., on Saturday for the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track presented by Cycle Gear.
The addition of Briar Bauman to the Indian Wrecking Crew not only made him teammates with defending AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines Champion Jared Mees, it also transformed him into a significantly more serious threat to Mees’ throne.
That new reality was underlined when Bauman dominated last week’s Daytona TT. The rising star has previously demonstrated his short track prowess with two wins in the rarest of AFT’s four disciplines, and he’ll look to press his early points advantage this weekend in Atlanta.
There’s a bevy of potential race winners outside of Bauman and Mees. Daytona TT runner-up Henry Wiles sits equal with the legendary Chris Carr for most career AFT Twins Short Track wins at nine, and Daytona TT third-place finisher Jake Johnson is also one of the most decorated short-track racers in AFT history.
It’s also worth noting that last week’s fourth place finisher, Jarod Vanderkooi, led the most laps en route to his first – and to date, only – AFT Twins podium in last year’s Atlanta Short Track Main Event.
Meanwhile, round two of the Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys season presents an opportunity for a number of expected title contenders to strike back following rough opening nights.
Chief among them are Shayna Texter and Kevin Stollings. While they failed to make the main in Daytona, both are proven podium performers in Atlanta.
Reigning class champion Dan Bromley has the title for a reason; he’s a contender whenever the AFT Singles class squares off. He backed up last year’s Daytona TT triumph with a second in Atlanta, and he’ll look to parlay his season-opening third into similar success again this year.
Fresh off his runner-up comeback performance in Daytona, Dalton Gauthier might just be the race favorite. When he last lined up for the Atlanta Short Track in 2017, he was the night’s top qualifier, led the most laps, and won the main event going away.
Beyond the AFT Twins and Roof Systems AFT Singles races, the Atlanta Short Track will feature the Astro Invitational, which pits former pros and vintage flat track competitors against one another on Bultaco Astros to benefit the Class of ‘79 charity to help injured racers.
Fans will recognize names such as five-time National winner and former Factory Suzuki competitor Kevin Varnes, 17-time Pikes Peak champion Davey Durelle and Ohio Dirt Track Hall of Famer Jackie Mitchell among the list of entries for the Atlanta Short Track event.
The attractions aren’t exclusive to the track. The Fan Zone will feature KTM Demo Rides, live music, and vendors, and fireworks displays will follow the AFT Singles and AFT Twins Main Events.