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Dallas Daniels surged to a decisive victory in Saturday’s Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Super TT at the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club in Sturgis, putting himself in a strong position to defend his Grand National title. The result came in Round 12 of the Progressive American Flat Track season and reshaped the championship fight heading into Monday’s Short Track.
Daniels dominates the Super TT
Riding the No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07, Daniels grabbed the lead from the opening laps and quickly built a buffer that his rivals could not close. Two minutes into the race he briefly threatened to lose control after catching his boot in the dirt, but a 1.665-second advantage at that moment allowed him to recover and reassert control.
By the checkered flag Daniels had stretched his margin to 6.784 seconds, a commanding win at a venue where he has often excelled. He described the track as one of his strengths and said the team’s recent testing had given them momentum, while adding a blunt assessment of the season so far. “I am the guy. I have the #1 on my bike for a reason,” he said, noting the squad still seeks greater consistency across the year.
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Podium and reshuffled top ten
Briar Bauman finished second aboard the No. 3 Super.com/RWR/Rocket Doctor Harley-Davidson after an early tussle that briefly distracted him from chasing Daniels. Dalton Gauthier delivered a strong ride to claim third and record Royal Enfield’s second-ever premier-class podium, following the marque’s Orange County Half-Mile result in 2024.
Former points leader Kody Kopp, who posted the fastest qualifying time, settled for fourth after a near fall cost him time mid-race. Declan Bender fended off Henry Wiles to take fifth. Trent Lowe, Davis Fisher, Aidan RoosEvans and Hunter Bauer completed the top ten.
Championship picture
The title battle tightens into a three-rider duel. Daniels leads the standings with 226 points, followed closely by Kopp on 220 and Bauman on 214. All three remain within striking distance as the series moves into the Short Track round.
KICKER AFT Singles
Evan Kelleher produced a dramatic breakthrough in the KICKER AFT Singles Main, taking his first career victory and his first series podium aboard the No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F. Kelleher had led from the start but faced multiple threats before the finish.
Title contenders Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna) moved past Kelleher mid-race and then battled each other. With roughly a minute and a half remaining, Saathoff attempted an inside pass and collided with Drane in the transition to the pavement section; both riders went down while trying to recover.
Kelleher seized the opportunity and held on under pressure from Tarren Santero, crossing the line 0.529 seconds ahead. Bradon Pfanders came through from the back of the grid to finish third, having been sent to the LCQ after a heat-race incident with Trevor Brunner. Walker Porter and Brunner rounded out the top five, with Jared Lowe and Kage Tadman completing the top seven.
What’s next and broadcast info
Progressive AFT returns to action at the 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Monday night for the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Short Track. The Short Track will be the next opportunity for rivals to close gaps in the championship.
How to watch
Live streaming coverage of Progressive American Flat Track is available on FloRacing. Television highlights are scheduled to air on FS1, with the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Super TT set to premiere Saturday, August 22, and the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Short Track planned for Sunday, August 23.
