Show summary Hide summary
The Progressive American Flat Track season reaches its climax this weekend as the Caterpillar Springfield Mile I & II run Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. A three-way championship battle — and a historic milestone for motorcycle manufacturers — both hang in the balance on a track known for producing chaotic, photo-finish finales.
How the title could be decided
Reigning champion Dallas Daniels (No. 1, Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) arrives in Springfield on the back of three straight wins and holds a 20-point advantage heading into the doubleheader. That lead gives him multiple paths to repeat as champion.
The simplest route is a victory on Saturday. A win would push Daniels’ cushion to at least 24 points while only 23 points remain available across the weekend, effectively clinching the crown. If he prefers a safer approach, Daniels can also secure the title with consistent top finishes. Even if second-place Briar Bauman (No. 3, Super.com/RWR/Rocket Doctor Harley-Davidson XG750R) were to sweep both events, Daniels would need a combined 27 points across the two days — the equivalent of finishing fourth and fifth — to hold on.
Post Salt Bikernet issues weekly edition for August 28, 2026
Light-powered e-paper display powers wall art without an external charger
Daniels’ record supports that strategy. In five premier-class seasons he has placed lower than fifth only twice, both in his rookie year. Across 61 starts, he has been off the podium only five times: two fourth-place and three fifth-place results.
Springfield’s reputation for close finishes
The Illinois mile has a long history of compressing races into frantic sprints to the line. In the most recent 34 Mission AFT SuperTwins main events at Springfield, 14 featured five or more riders finishing within one second of the winner. On several occasions, as many as ten riders crossed the line inside that margin.
Small gaps can translate into big positional losses. In last year’s Mission Triple Challenge, Briar Bauman was 0.836 seconds behind the leader in the first leg but ended up seventh. In the second leg, Daniels was just 0.629 seconds off the win and also finished seventh. That pattern underlines how a tight field and split-second moves can reshuffle outcomes dramatically.
The chase for 700 wins
Beyond the championship drama, Springfield may also play host to a milestone for Harley‑Davidson. After recent research into historical records uncovered a previously misattributed result, Harley‑Davidson’s all-time Grand National Championship Main Event total stands at 699.
If a Harley rider takes victory this weekend, the factory’s tally will reach 700 — a symbolic threshold. That adds an extra layer of incentive for Bauman and teammate Kody Kopp (No. 12, Latus Motors Racing Harley‑Davidson XG750R), who also have personal objectives this weekend. Bauman leads the season with six wins to Daniels’ five, and Kopp could match the all-time rookie wins record with two victories at Springfield, cementing his place among the sport’s top first-year performers.
Former winners and recent risers
Trent Lowe (No. 48, American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet) remains a name to watch. Lowe stunned the field in last year’s Springfield Mile, delivering Honda its first twin‑cylinder win in more than 25 years and its first factory-supported triumph at the venue since 1987. He sits fifth in the standings this season and could shift the narrative with another surprise result.
Davis Fisher (No. 67, Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) has been consistently fast despite losing early title hopes. Fisher arrives with five podiums in his last seven starts, including a photo-finish second at the DuQuoin Mile where he trailed Kopp by 0.012 seconds. A final-round win would mark a high point on an otherwise strong campaign.
Dark horses and contenders
Springfield’s drafting battles open the door for upset winners. Declan Bender (No. 70, Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) finished fourth at Springfield last year and comes off a third-place at DuQuoin. Yamahas will be plentiful, with Hunter Bauer (No. 24, G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07) and Chad Cose (No. 49, Parker Racing/Pro Roofing Yamaha MT-07) showing speed at the miles.
On the Harley and Twin-cylinder side, Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26, Bubba Boswell/Smokey Mountain Harley‑Davidson XG750R), Dalton Gauthier (No. 79, Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) and Ben Lowe (No. 25, Rackley Racing/Roof Systems KTM 790 Duke) will look to finish the season strongly; RoosEvans and Gauthier have reached the podium this year and Lowe has been a steady top‑five presence.
Wild cards and double-duty riders
Reigning KICKER AFT Singles champion Tom Drane (No. 59, Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) will compete in both Singles and premier-class events in Springfield. Drane made an immediate impression during last year’s wild-card appearance and arrives more experienced and better prepared. His presence adds unpredictability to the field.
Tarren Santero (No. 75, Mission Roof Systems Harley‑Davidson XG750R) — another standout from the Singles ranks — will also run both classes, and veteran wildcard Jeffrey Carver (No. 123, Happy Trails Racing Kawasaki Ninja 650) returns to the grid. Carver’s past Springfield results are strong enough to make him a threat whenever he shows up; Jared Mees finished second to Carver at Springfield in 2018.
Fan details, paddock access and broadcast info
Mees Promotions and Harley‑Davidson are organizing a Route 66 Centennial certified ride to the Springfield Mile on Saturday. The ride departs from Conrad’s Harley‑Davidson and follows the historic route to the fairgrounds; participation is free with a purchased event ticket, and limited event shirts will be available for early registrants.
Ticketing options include $25 per day infield admission (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult) and reserved grandstand seats starting at $35 per day. A Pit Pass may be added for $40. Hospitality VIP access is offered for $150 per day and includes an upgraded reserved seat, food and beverage service, and all‑day pit access. Harley Owners Group members can purchase a Harley‑Davidson VIP Experience for $130 per day, which features dedicated parking, exclusive seating, a guided infield tour, photo opportunities, a meet‑and‑greet with Harley riders, and event merchandise.
Camping is available through the Illinois State Fairgrounds; reservations and questions can be directed to the fairgrounds at 217-524-9894. For media or event inquiries, contact Mees Promotions at 217-632-0277 or meespromotions@gmail.com. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. ET each day (7:00 a.m. PT). Opening ceremonies begin at 2:40 p.m. ET on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
For viewers away from the track, progressive AFT events are streamed live on FloRacing, with FloSports apps available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast. Broadcast highlights air on FS1: coverage of Caterpillar Springfield Mile I is scheduled to premiere Sunday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m. ET, with Springfield Mile II airing Sunday, September 20, at 11:00 a.m. ET.
