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The Progressive American Flat Track season will reach a decisive moment this weekend at the Caterpillar Springfield Mile I & II, staged September 5–6 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. A three-way Grand National Championship fight crowns what could be a dramatic finish, with the title still very much up for grabs.
What Dallas Daniels needs to clinch
Reigning Mission AFT SuperTwins champion Dallas Daniels arrives in Springfield with momentum and a 20-point lead. A win on Saturday would put him at least 24 points ahead with only 23 remaining, an insurmountable margin that would secure back-to-back titles for Daniels and his Estenson Racing Yamaha team.
If he does not win, Daniels still has conservative paths to the championship. In the scenario where second-place Briar Bauman sweeps both days, Daniels would need to collect a total of 27 points across the weekend — roughly the equivalent of a fourth- and a fifth-place finish — to preserve his advantage.
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Why Springfield is dangerous
The Mile has a long reputation for chaotic finishes and tiny margins. Over the last 34 Mission AFT SuperTwins main events at the fairgrounds, 14 have seen five or more riders cross the line within a single second. On multiple occasions, that tight cluster has included as many as ten riders.
Small gaps have produced big consequences. In last year’s Mission Triple Challenge, Bauman recorded a time just 0.836 seconds off the winner yet placed seventh in the opening leg. Daniels experienced a similar fate in the second leg, finishing 0.629 seconds adrift and also ending up seventh. Those results underline how easily a championship lead can be eroded here.
The historic 700-win chase
Archive research adjusted the official tally of Grand National Championship main event victories, moving Harley-Davidson’s all-time total to 699. That correction sets up an added storyline: several riders could push the marque to a milestone 700 wins this weekend.
Bauman enters Springfield with six wins this season to Daniels’ five and will be eager to remain the season’s top winner. Kody Kopp, meanwhile, could tie the all-time rookie wins record with a double at Springfield, strengthening his claim to one of the most impressive newcomer campaigns in Grand National history.
Other contenders and storylines
Trent Lowe’s surprise victory on the Big Red Honda at last year’s Springfield Mile revived Honda’s twin-cylinder legacy at the track — the first official Honda win there since 1987. Lowe sits fifth in the standings this season; another strong showing would reshape the narrative of his year.
Davis Fisher has been one of the season’s hottest riders. Although a double setback earlier in the year diminished his title hopes, Fisher has gathered five podiums in his last seven starts, including a photo-finish second at the DuQuoin Mile, where he lost by 0.012 seconds to Kopp.
The Mile’s draft-heavy racing also leaves room for surprise winners. Local and rising talents such as Declan Bender, Hunter Bauer, and Chad Cose have shown speed on the Yamahas, while Aidan RoosEvans, Dalton Gauthier, and Ben Lowe will push for strong finales after solid seasons.
Wild cards and notable entries
Reigning KICKER AFT Singles champion Tom Drane will attempt double duty, contesting both the Singles and the premier-class races. Drane impressed on a wildcard appearance in Springfield last year and will be watched closely after another season of strong results in Singles.
Tarren Santero, who showed premier-class promise earlier this year, also moves up for more premier-class laps. Illinois native Jeffrey Carver returns for occasional grid appearances; his Springfield history includes running down Jared Mees for the win in 2018, a reminder that part-timers can still influence outcomes.
Event logistics: attendance and broadcast
Gates open at 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT) both days. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 2:40 p.m. ET on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Ticketing options include Infield admission at $25 per day (children 12 and under free with a paid adult) and Reserved Grandstand seats starting at $35 per day. Pit Passes are available for an additional $40. Hospitality VIP packages and a Harley Owners Group VIP experience are offered for higher-tier access and perks. Camping is available through the Illinois State Fairgrounds; questions and reservations may be handled by calling the fairgrounds.
Fans unable to attend can watch live via FloRacing, the streaming home of Progressive AFT, which is accessible through the FloSports app on major connected platforms. Television highlights and feature coverage will air on FS1: the first Springfield Mile broadcast is scheduled for Sunday, September 13 at 10:00 a.m. ET, with the second airing on Sunday, September 20 at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Fan experience and extra activities
On Saturday, Mees Promotions and Harley-Davidson are organizing a Route 66 Centennial-certified ride that will depart from Conrad’s Harley-Davidson and travel along the historic highway to the fairgrounds. Participation is complimentary with a Springfield Mile event ticket, and a limited number of registrants will receive an event shirt.
Race weekend will include big-screen viewing, vendor displays, and a range of food and beverage options. Media inquiries or organizer contact requests can be directed to Mees Promotions via phone or email as provided by the event promoter.
