AMA AND OTHER SERIES

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 1, 2026) – The 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will complete its two-week West Coast tour with the Silver Dollar Short Track at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California, this Saturday, May 2.

With the first quarter of the ‘26 Mission AFT SuperTwins title race behind us and 12 rounds ahead, this year’s Grand National Championship tilt is coming into focus.

Three riders have risen above the rest: rookie points leader Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R), reigning champion Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07), and two-time Grand National Champion and this past weekend’s victor Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Jacob Construction/Parts Plus Harley-Davidson XG750R).

Collectively, this power trio accounts for all four available Main Event wins and ten of twelve possible podiums. Generational talent abound, it’s nearly impossible to pick a winner among them. Each week is a new chance to redirect the trajectory of the season, and all three have a case to make at Silver Dollar Speedway.

It’s On

While currently ranked third in the points with some serious work to do, Bauman has both momentum and history on his side. The California native thrives in the spotlight with his friends and family rooting him on, a fact he’ll look to capitalize on again this weekend.

Bauman swept at Ventura and Chico a year ago and is on track to do so again. All the while, he continues his march up the all-time records list. Last Saturday’s triumph marked his 35th premier-class victory, moving him ahead of the iconic Bubba Shobert to take sole possession of eighth on the career wins list.

Kenny Coolbeth, Jr., and Ricky Graham are both realistically within reach yet this season. And he may need to eclipse them both in order to fight his way back into contention as he currently trails Kopp by 22 points and Daniels by 15.

That said, Bauman is extremely capable of stringing together wins and eating away at the gap.

Kopp, meanwhile, is on pace to redefine rookie success. In his young Mission AFT SuperTwins career, he has yet to finish worse than second. No rider has finished ahead of him more than once, and the only two to do so are the aforementioned current and former Grand National Champions performing at the peak of their powers.

However scary, Kopp should only get better. He’s still getting accustomed to his team, with his bike, and with his competitors. This is still the learning stage.

Silver Dollar Speedway is as good a place as any to continue his ascension. Kopp raced here once before, tracking down Tom Drane and Chase Saathoff to claim one of his more memorable KICKER AFT Singles wins during in 2024 season.

Meanwhile, Daniels is still the man with the #1 bolted to the front of his bike. And this is a venue he’d no doubt like to finally conquer.

In two prior attempts, Daniels led early, found himself overhauled, and then countered with a late charge. In ‘24, he came up just short of acing all-timer Jared Mees in the race’s final corner to steal away the win. Last year, he fell just 0.061 seconds short of overtaking Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) for second. 

Fisher Angling for Revenge

Speaking of Fisher, while he ranks fourth in the points, he finds himself attempting to dig his way out of an early-season 38-point hole.

The Rackley Racing standout was set to continue his string of top fives with a podium performance before mechanical issues robbed him of that chance.

As a result, tangible success at Ventura Raceway continues to elude him despite his obvious speed. Silver Dollar Speedway, however, is another story, as evidenced by the second place he earned here a year ago.

Fisher was fired up and riding aggressively this past weekend. Another outing like that, and he may just increase the 2026 winners list to four.

Expect him to come out swinging.

Wild Card

Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Dick Ford Racing Yamaha MT-07) stepped away from full-time Progressive AFT competition following the 2024 season to focus on his family and other pursuits.

That decision seems to have re-energized him. Bauman made his 2026 debut with a fourth-place run in Ventura. Stacked onto his finishes at last year’s Peoria TT and Lake Ozark ST, he now boasts three successive finishes inside the top five.

He didn’t finish higher than sixth over his final two full seasons.

While we see less of him than we did before, the one we do is more reminiscent of the Bronson Bauman who raced in 2022 and before.

It’s worth remembering exactly what he’s capable of at his best. This is a rider who finished the 2019 season ranked third overall with a win among his five podium finishes. Bauman remains one of the best motorcycle dirt trackers in existence. Any time he lines up, he’s given another opportunity to remind the world of that fact. 

And he’ll line up again this weekend at Silver Dollar Speedway.

Chaos is a Ladder

Several other premier-class contenders have demonstrated the ability to fight up front, even if only in fleeting moments. What’s been missing is the consistency to do so not just week-to-week, but session-to-session.

Some of the pilots who were expected to step forward and challenge with regularity are still looking to find their footing. 

Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet) has all the tools necessary to be in podium contention on a weekly basis. He’s flashed at times this season but hasn’t yet maximized his potential.

Meanwhile, teammates Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) have proven podium track records, but the luckless duo currently find themselves outside the championship top ten. 

The flipside is a group of riders perfectly positioned to take advantage of the relative struggles of others in order to climb up the order.

Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Roof Systems KTM 790 Duke) is trending in the right direction. He came out on top of a scrap with Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust Advisors Harley-Davidson XG750R) and Lowe to claim a top five this past weekend.

Speaking of, despite being overshadowed by the historic rookie performance of Kopp, RoosEvans has also been outperforming all expectations in his debut premier-class campaign.

He now boasts back-to-back sixth-place finishes and has teased the speed to do far more than that. It appears as if his style may be better suited to the twin than a single, and he’s added depth and strength to the Harley-Davidson lineup in a real way already.

Another rider on the rise is Logan McGrane (No. 14 Schaffers MotorSports/RVR Racing KTM 790 Duke). McGrane is coming off his career best finish of eighth – a result which elevated him inside the top ten of the Grand National Championship rankings.

Sweet!

The event will be overloaded with activities from start to finish, on and off the track. World of Outlaws legend and Silver Dollar Speedway co-owner Brad Sweet will serve as Grand Marshal. Fans will also be treated to multiple Thrashed Kids Freestyle Shows throughout the day.

Attendees can also expect a multitude of vendors, big screen viewing, designated motorcycle parking, and a variety of food and beverage options.

Your Ticket, Please

General Admission Grandstand tickets for the Silver Dollar Short Track are just $40 (kids 12 and under free) while Reserved Grandstand tickets ($65, all ages), Pit Grandstand tickets ($80, all ages), and Trackside Box tickets ($95, all ages) offer upgraded viewing experiences. 

And if you use the promo code “RESERVED25” at checkout, you can get one Limited Reserved Grandstand Ticket discounted to $25.

And for $135 ($95 as a ticket add-on), you can get the Harley-Davidson VIP Experience, which includes dedicated VIP H-D motorcycle parking, access to an exclusive grandstand seating section, a meet-and-greet with the Harley-Davidson racers, and a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line, photos opps included.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-silver-dollar-short-track-168776 to reserve your seats today.

Gates will open for fans at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

How to Watch

FloRacing
For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

FS1
FOX Sports coverage of the Silver Dollar Short Track, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, May 10, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT). The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres can be found at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.

KICKER AFT Singles Set for Silver Dollar Showdown

tim lester

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 30, 2026) – The KICKER AFT Singles championship fight that will continue with the Silver Dollar Short Track this Saturday, May 2, in Chico, California, is shaping up to be among the most competitive and compelling in years.

Silver Dollar Speedway stands as one of the West Coast’s most revered auto racing dirt track venues. Now set to host Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, for the third consecutive season, the track is fast building a similar reputation in the two-wheeled world. This weekend presents another opportunity to add to that budding legacy.

Four for Four

As the KICKER AFT Singles campaign heads into the fifth round of the season, the class has yet to see a repeat winner.

Defending class champion Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) holds down the early-season points lead. That comes as no surprise. However, the Australian has not been the dominant figure to start this season that he was to end last season.

Drane raised the bar a year ago, and his rivals have responded. But like his Estenson Racing teammate and fellow reigning champion, Dallas Daniels, Drane’s week-in, week-out consistency can be his hallmark even in stretches when the wins don’t come as readily as he’d prefer.

While that strength keeps Drane the firm title favorite, the spotlight has – at least for the moment – shifted to rising star Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R).

Tadman burst onto the scene in 2025 by winning his first two professional races, sweeping the West Coast double at Ventura Raceway and Silver Dollar Speedway.

The Salinas, California, native is attempting to pull off the same feat again in ‘26. He’s halfway there, now days removed from earning his third-career win after holding Drane at bay in last Saturday’s Ventura Short Track.

Senoia Raceway winner Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Yamaha YZ450F) was rolling at Ventura, at least until an imperfect launch in the Main dashed his designs of snatching consecutive victories. That missed opportunity was clearly chafing at Brunner, and he rides at his best when he’s got that edge.

Meanwhile, the season’s other winner, Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F), could use a big result to add to his DAYTONA triumph.

While Pfanders is no doubt focused on adding a second (and third and fourth, etc.) win to his career tally as quickly as possible, even when he’s not battling at the front, he continues to serve as an example of the opportunity that exists for a rider to emerge and collect a maiden win on any given weekend.

On the Chase

Few would have predicted there would be four different KICKER AFT Singles race winners in the season’s first four races. Fewer still would have guessed that Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) would not be among those four.

There’s nothing wrong with Saathoff, as evidenced by his two podiums. But one can imagine the title hopeful is growing more than a little tired watching his rivals celebrate atop the podium, especially from the outside looking in as was the case following last weekend’s sixth.

Saathoff finished second to current Mission AFT SuperTwins championship leader Kody Kopp at Silver Dollar Speedway two years back. In other words, this might be a prime setting for the 1st Impressions Husvarna pilot to up the class’ winners run to five for five.

California Dreamin’

Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) was a dark horse pick to finally get his first career KICKER AFT Singles win this past weekend at Ventura Raceway.

It wasn’t to be. A crash in his heat race forced him through the Last Chance Qualifier and placed him on the back row for the Main Event. He completed the opening lap of the race outside the top ten and remained in that general vicinity for the opening quarter of the event. 

Santero gradually picked up steam and picked off riders as he did, ultimately ending up a strong fifth. While impressive, Santero isn’t gunning for fifths. Fortunately for the Petaluma native, he has another shot to at last breakthrough in victorious fashion and do so with his friends and family cheering him on.

While racing much further from home, Indiana’s Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) would be perfectly content to get his first win – or even podium – while the series completes its West Coast swing.

Lowe looked as strong as he ever has last weekend, running either first or second throughout practice, qualifying, and his heat race, before leading Main Event laps for the time in his KICKER AFT Singles career.

Lowe continued to race inside the top three past half-distance before settling into fourth. It was a shame he couldn’t celebrate that standout form on the podium. Still, it should serve as a confidence booster and provide him some real momentum to carry into this weekend’s rematch.

And Beyond…

There are plenty of other riders well poised to spring a surprise. 

Justin Jones (No. 91 Fairway Ford Chevy GMC Yamaha YZ450F) is currently enjoying a career renaissance and hoping to cement that triumphant return to form with an actual triumph.

Meanwhile, there are several young riders looking to accomplish what Jones did back in 2015 when he got his first win. That long list includes the likes of Jack Brucks (No. 113 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Eisenhard Racing/Pags Powersports KTM 450 SX-F), Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer's Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F), Ryder Reese (No. 41 Fasthouse/Smoking Butcher Coffee KTM 450 SX-F FE) and Skylar Sentell (No. 60 R&D Racing/Hoffer Performance KTM 450 SX-F).

Future Pros

The Progressive American Flat Track paddock has immediately embraced the all-new AFT ProSport 450 class, which provides promising amateurs an opportunity to showcase their talent before a national audience of fans and insiders.

A number of the sport’s biggest and most influential teams have gotten involved, backing the efforts of some talented stars-in-the-making. 

Estenson Racing’s Sam Drane (No. 7 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) has taken a pair of wins, while 1st Impressions Husqvarna’s Jett Katarzy (No. 17 1st Impressions Husqvarna FC450) was victorious last time out. And Turner Honda’s Adam Costan-Wood (No. 88 Turner Racing Honda CRF450R) finished 4th while making his debut this past weekend.

However, the beauty of the class is the fact that its tightly restricted, stock-based regs reduce the financial barriers associated with entry. This allows riders without the support of a powerhouse team to complete on level terms. Talent shines above all.

Nearly half of this year’s podiums have gone to racers whose team name is their own. That list includes Bitz-Hay Racing’s Ryder Bitz-Hay (No. 14 Bitz-Hay Racing KTM 450 SX-F), who is the only rider to finish on the box in all three rounds this season.

Sweet!

Attendees can also expect a multitude of vendors, big screen viewing, designated motorcycle parking, and a variety of food and beverage options.

Your Ticket, Please

And if you use the promo code “RESERVED25” at checkout, you can get one Limited Reserved Grandstand Ticket discounted to $25.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-silver-dollar-short-track-168776 to reserve your seats today.

Gates will open for fans at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

tim lester

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 30, 2026) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, has announced that Sierra Steel Harley-Davidson has been named the Official Motorcycle Dealership of the CRESCO CAT Silver Dollar Short Track, set for May 2 at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California.

Sierra Steel Harley-Davidson brings a strong local presence to the event, with deep ties to the Northern California riding community and a long-standing connection to the region’s motorcycle culture.

The CRESCO CAT Silver Dollar Short Track will deliver a full night of bar-to-bar racing action, featuring the sport’s top competitors in both Mission AFT SuperTwins and KICKER AFT Singles competition at one of the West Coast’s most iconic venues.

Fans attending the event will also have the opportunity to enhance their race day experience with the Harley-Davidson VIP Experience, a premium add-on designed to provide deeper access and exclusive behind-the-scenes moments.

The Harley-Davidson VIP Experience includes general admission seating paired with full pit access, along with a guided infield tour featuring the podium and start/finish line, including photo opportunities in both locations.

VIP guests will also receive dedicated Harley-Davidson motorcycle parking and access to an exclusive grandstand seating section. The package includes a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with Harley-Davidson riders, as well as a private infield tour and track walk.

Each VIP guest will also receive a Harley-Davidson fan bell to cheer on H-D riders along with additional branded gifts.

For tickets and event information, including details on the Harley-Davidson VIP Experience, visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-silver-dollar-short-track-168776.

For more information about Sierra Steel Harley-Davidson, visit https://sierrasteelhd.com.

Next Up
Progressive American Flat Track continues its 2026 season with a stop in Northern California, as the series heads to Chico for the CRESCO CAT Silver Dollar Short Track on Saturday, May 2 at Silver Dollar Speedway.

Tickets for the CRESCO CAT Silver Dollar Short Track can be purchased at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-silver-dollar-short-track-168776.

For more event and series information, visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

ThrottleFest descends on Budds Creek Motocross Park in just a few short weeks! From May 14–17, we’re bringing you four days of absolute motorsports mayhem. This isn't a casual Sunday drive; it’s a full-throttle festival experience that’s closing in fast.

The adrenaline redlines on Saturday, May 16, when Progressive American Flat Track takes center stage. Prepare for a night of bar-to-bar, high-speed warfare as the world’s elite riders tear up the dirt. Between races, the party stays wide open with live music and non-stop action. The green flag is about to drop, are you ready?

GET TICKETS: ThrottleFest

Cheryl Pearson

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 29, 2026) – AMA Pro Racing is saddened to learn of the passing of longtime track builder and flat track supporter Dennis Pearson.

Born September 10, 1954, in Indian River, Michigan, Pearson was part of a family deeply rooted in racing. His brothers Scott, Paul, and Gordon were all involved in competition, continuing a family tradition that spanned generations.

After moving to California as a teenager, Pearson began working under renowned track builder Harold Murrell, at the age of 17, learning the craft of building and preparing race surfaces. Over the course of his career, he contributed to a wide range of racing disciplines, including flat track, Supercross, and NASCAR Sprint car events, helping construct and maintain tracks such as the San Jose Mile.

Pearson later worked within the Progressive AFT paddock for several seasons, where he earned a reputation for his dedication to the sport and its competitors. Known affectionately as “Dr. Dirt,” he took great pride in delivering well-prepared, consistent racing surfaces, always with the riders’ best interests in mind.

He was deeply passionate about flat track and the community surrounding it, treating riders and teams like family while bringing care and craftsmanship to every track he touched.

Pearson is survived by his children, Denise and Kyle, and grandson Wyatt, along with their mother, Cheryl, his brothers Gordon, John, Paul, and Scott, his sisters Mary Lou, Paula, Susan, and Stacy, and his extended family.

Plans for celebrations of life are being finalized, with a tentative gathering scheduled for May 30th in Oakdale, California, and a second memorial planned later this summer in Michigan.

Tim Lester

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 29, 2026) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, has announced that CRESCO CAT Rentals will serve as the entitlement sponsor of the Silver Dollar Short Track, set for May 2 at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California.

As part of the partnership, CRESCO CAT Rentals will provide all heavy equipment for the event, which supports event setup and ongoing track preparation on race day to help ensure a smooth, well-executed event.

A division of Cresco Equipment Rentals, CRESCO CAT Rentals has built a strong reputation across the western United States for delivering reliable equipment solutions and customer-focused service. With decades of experience supporting construction and industrial projects, the company delivers dependable equipment solutions for a wide range of applications.

“Having the right equipment in place is critical to everything we do, from getting the event set up to maintaining the racing surface throughout the day,” said Chris Carr, Progressive AFT Series Director. “CRESCO CAT Rentals plays a key role in helping us deliver a track that’s consistent and ready when it matters most.”

The company will also have a strong presence on-site, with employees and customers in attendance to experience the action and engage with the event.

“CRESCO CAT has been providing gold standard service to our Northern California customers for nearly 30 years,” said Tyler Yarnell, Territory Manager for CRESCO CAT. “We’re looking forward to being part of the event and connecting with fans and customers on-site.”

The CRESCO CAT Rentals Silver Dollar Short Track remains one of the most anticipated stops on the Progressive AFT calendar, combining a premier racing venue with a passionate Northern California fan base.

Next Up
Progressive American Flat Track heads to Chico, California, for the CRESCO CAT Rentals Silver Dollar Short Track on May 2.

Tickets for the CRESCO CAT Rentals Silver Dollar Short Track are available at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-silver-dollar-short-track-168776.

For more series and event information, visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

How to Watch

FS1
FOX Sports will provide in-depth coverage of select Progressive American Flat Track events, featuring rider features and onboard cameras. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.

Three-Way Grand National Championship Battle Arrives at Silver Dollar Speedway

Sierra Steel Harley-Davidson Named Official Motorcycle Dealership of CRESCO CAT Silver Dollar Short Track

ThrottleFest is Fast Approaching Do You Have Tickets Yet?

AMA Pro Racing Mourns the Loss of Former Track Builder Dennis Pearson

CRESCO CAT Rentals Named Entitlement Sponsor of Silver Dollar Short Track