SHAKOPEE, Minn. (September 29, 2018) – Bryan ‘Mile Master’ Smith (No. 4 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750) scored a crazy, surprise-twist victory in Saturday evening’s AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines Main Event at the Indian Motorcycle Minnesota Mile – a race in which 5000-plus hearty spectators turned out in 45-degree temperatures to experience.
Briar Bauman (No. 14 Zanotti Racing Indian Scout FTR750), fresh off his first victory of 2018 at the Williams Grove Half-Mile, looked certain to continue his devastating form. He was basically running away from the field and powering to his first-career Mile victory to complete the Grand Slam when disaster struck. With just two of 25 laps remaining and holding a massive lead over second, Bauman’s Scout FTR750 ran out of fuel and he was forced out of contention.
Smith was more than happy to storm by the helpless Bauman after earlier doing the same to reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle Rogers Racing SDI Scout FTR750), who encountered a mechanical problem late in the race while trailing the speedy Bauman.
Smith said, “I saw Jared peel off and I thought, ‘Okay, I’ve got second. This is good, but there’s no catching Briar, he’s putting the clinic on everyone today.’ And then I did a double take and thought I saw the #14 pulling off. ‘Am I leading this thing?’ I’d rather be lucky than good any day!”
The evening marked American Flat Track’s first trip to the Minneapolis area and Canterbury Park since 2010, with preparation of the soft and sandy horse-racing surface a key issue. Several days of track prep yielded a racetrack that was both groove and cushion, and one that offered multi-line racing – which typically yields more exciting action and more passing opportunities for riders. While there were some rough spots, most riders felt the track to be challenging and one that rewarded bravery, skill and creativity.
“This is definitely one of the toughest, most challenging, technical Miles we race,” Smith said. “It was a free-for-all. Everybody was taking different lines and doing different things.”
Bauman and Mees appeared most ready to capitalize, the two engaging in a thrilling back-and-forth dogfight during the race’s opening half before Bauman broke Mees’ challenge. Bauman was well on his way to a statement-making victory before the dramatic twist finish.
In addition to Smith’s surprise win, runner-up Henry Wiles (No. 17 Bandit Industries/Wilco Racing/Willy Built Indian Scout FTR750) and third-place Robert Pearson (No. 27 R/J Performance/Hite Trucking Indian Scout FTR750) saw top-five rides transformed into podium performances.
The DNF ends Mees’ hopes at equaling the legendary Ricky Graham for most wins in a single season at 12. However, if he concludes his season with an 11th triumph in next weekend’s 2018 Meadowlands Mile finale, Mees will lay claim to the highest single-season win percentage in American Flat Track history.
AFT Singles
The AFT Singles Minnesota Mile Main Event proved to be a head-to-head battle of champions.
2017 class champion Kolby Carlile (No. 1 Estenson Racing/McCandless Truck Center Yamaha YZ450F) engaged in a war for supremacy with the man who usurped his throne – newly crowned class champion Dan Bromley (No. 62 KTM North America/Bromley Motorsports 450 SX-F).
Carlile edged Bromley for the holeshot and immediately put his head down. His breakaway strategy allowed him to successfully break free from all pursuers – save one.
Carlile continued to hold point despite coming under intense pressure. Bromley demonstrated superior corner speed late in the shootout but simply could not find a way past 2017 champ Carlile, who held on to claim the checkered flag by a 0.196 seconds margin of victory and who’s quickly becoming a bit of an AFT Singles ‘Mile Master’ himself.
The win was Carlile’s third Mile triumph of 2018 after going winless during his championship-winning season. He’ll also have an opportunity to gain another small measure of revenge in next weekend’s season finale where he could equal Bromley for most wins in 2018 at four.
After the race the ‘Flying Tomato’ explained that his win was even more dramatic than it appeared from the fences: “Mentally, the win was huge because we had an electrical issue come in with about four laps to go. As soon as I let off the gas, the power would die to the bike. I would have to get it back to wide open for it to start up again. I looked back after the third time it happened and Dan was right on my tail. Luckily, he’s a great rider and no one ran into each other out there. Fortunately, the bike didn’t shut off. The last time coming through 3 and 4 I was really scared; I just wicked it right on and the thing kicked out sideways. Luckily the old girl fired up one more time.”
Bromley’s runner-up finish was his 12th podium in 17 races this season.
Tristan Avery (No. 16 Ron Ayers/Mr. Sign Honda CRF450R) fought his way forward throughout the 15-lap affair, making up for his poor start to ultimately clawing his way into a pack battle for third. In the end he secured the position to garner his first podium finish of 2018. Ryan Wells (No. 94 RMR/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda CRF450) and Cameron Smith (No. 44 D&D Cycles/Basciani Foods/Greg Vietri Honda CRF450R) filled out the top five.
