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Dallas Daniels used a dominant performance in Saturday night’s Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Super TT to put himself squarely in control of the Grand National title fight. The Estenson Racing rider seized the lead early and never looked back at the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club during the 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Daniels takes command in the first SuperTwins Main
Dallas Daniels (No. 1, Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) exploded off the line in the first of two Mission AFT SuperTwins Mains and quickly opened a sizeable gap. Within laps he had more than a second and, despite a brief scare two minutes into the race when he caught his boot in the dirt, he recovered without losing momentum.
By the checkered flag Daniels had built a commanding 6.784-second margin of victory. The run underscored his TT pedigree at a venue he knows well, though he cautioned that tougher tests remain this week.
“I knew I was strong coming in here. I knew this was probably my strongest track on the schedule, just because this is what I grew up on,” Daniels said. “But it’s been a long year. It’s been tough. I’m tired of getting beat. I want to turn this thing around. I feel like I want to be the guy. I am the guy. I have the #1 on my bike for a reason… Monday will be the telltale for us.”
Podium finishers and mid-pack drama
Briar Bauman (No. 3, Super.com/RWR/Rocket Doctor Harley-Davidson XG750R) chased Daniels early but was held up by an opening tussle with Dalton Gauthier (No. 79, Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650). Bauman eventually cleared Gauthier but could not close the gap to Daniels.
Gauthier rode a strong race to claim third, giving Royal Enfield its second-ever premier-class podium following the marque’s result at the Orange County Half-Mile in 2024.
Former points leader Kody Kopp (No. 12, Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) finished fourth. Kopp had posted the quickest qualifying lap but spent much of the night searching for room to pass. He nearly fell before halfway and required an impressive save, losing seconds but holding onto fourth when the race settled.
The battle for fifth through tenth stayed tight until Declan Bender (No. 70, Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and Henry Wiles (No. 911, DL Racing/HYMMCO Yamaha MT-07) sliced past Trent Lowe (No. 48, American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet). Bender outlasted Wiles to secure fifth. Davis Fisher (No. 67), Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26) and Hunter Bauer (No. 24) completed the top ten.
KICKER AFT Singles — Kelleher’s breakthrough
Evan Kelleher (No. 31, Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F) earned his first-career Progressive AFT victory in a chaotic Singles Main. Kelleher grabbed the lead early but had to withstand several late-race developments to reach the flag.
Title contenders Tom Drane (No. 1, Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Chase Saathoff (No. 88, 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) passed Kelleher and traded paint while fighting for the win. With roughly 90 seconds left Saathoff attempted an inside move and collided with Drane in the transition onto the pavement. Both riders went down, adding another chapter to a rivalry that already featured an earlier incident that day.
Kelleher slipped through as the two contenders recovered. He then endured a late charge from Tarren Santero (No. 75, Roof Systems/Texas Utility Studies/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) but held on by 0.529 seconds. The result marked Kelleher’s first podium as well as his first victory.
Bradon Pfanders (No. 83, Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F) salvaged third despite having to work up from the back after a heat-race incident forced him into the LCQ. Walker Porter (No. 10) finished fourth, Trevor Brunner (No. 21) fifth, with Jared Lowe (No. 63) and Kage Tadman (No. 28) rounding out the top seven.
Championship picture and what’s next
The title fight remains tightly contested. Daniels now leads the standings on 226 points, followed by Kody Kopp on 220 and Briar Bauman on 214. All three remain within striking range heading into the week’s remaining events.
The Progressive AFT field returns on Monday night for the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Short Track at Sturgis. Expect another intense evening of short-track racing that could reshape the championship battle.
How to follow the action
FloRacing is the live-streaming partner for Progressive American Flat Track coverage. Fans who cannot attend in person can watch events on the FloSports platform or via the FloSports app on common streaming devices.
FS1 will air a feature package and onboard coverage of the Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Super TT on Saturday, August 22, at 11:30 a.m. ET. The Caterpillar Jackpine Gypsies Short Track is scheduled to air on Sunday, August 23, at 12:00 p.m. ET.
