Kopp Takes Second on Harley-Davidson XG750R and Holds Slim Series Points Lead
Rick Ware Racing/Jacob Construction/Parts Plus rider Briar Bauman raced a Harley-Davidson XG750R motorcycle to his fourth consecutive Mission AFT SuperTwins victory, winning at the inaugural Caterpillar Nashville Short Track presented by Memphis Shades on the red clay Sons of Speed Nashville Short Track in Hohenwald, Tenn. Latus Motors Racing/Harley-Davidson/BMC Racing rider Kody Kopp finished second aboard a Harley-Davidson XG750R motorcycle and maintained a narrow series points lead over Bauman.
Kopp won his heat race and continues to impress the SuperTwins field in his rookie season. Bauman finished second in his heat to Yamaha rider Chad Cose but won the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge bonus sprint. Bauman and Kopp both started the main event (eight minutes plus two laps) from the front row. Bauman cut under Yamaha rider Declan Bender in the first turn to immediately take the lead. Kopp moved into second place and tried to keep in touch with Bauman, only to see the two-time SuperTwins champion unwind lap after lap in smooth control at a pace Kopp could not quite match. Bauman led by 1.5 seconds at the half-way mark and eventually opened a three-second gap on Kopp, who in turn led Bender by more than two seconds. After 31 laps Bauman crossed the finish line 2.689 seconds clear of Kopp. Yamaha rider Dallas Daniels made a late pass of Bender to take third place. Bender finished fourth, followed by FRA Trust Advisors rider Aidan RoosEvans on a Harley-Davidson XG750R motorcycle.
“I didn’t know how much of a gap I had on Kody,” said Bauman, who survived a close call on the final lap. “I looked back about halfway and saw we had a little bit of breathing room. But I’m like, man, he’s probably here, he always charges hard. I hit a hole and almost went over the bars! But no matter what, this Rick Ware Racing/Super.com team…I just love it. We’re probably in the honeymoon stage right now, but we were seeing couples counseling after Daytona. We’re super proud. I can’t thank them enough. It’s just a team effort.”
His fourth consecutive victory moved Bauman into second place in season points and trimmed Kopp’s lead to just five points. After seven of 16 rounds in the 2026 Mission AFT SuperTwins championship, Kopp leads with 136 points, followed by Bauman with 131 points and Daniels with 126. The 2026 AFT Mission SuperTwins series resumes June 26-27 with a double-header event at the Lima Half Mile at Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio.
VIP Harley-Davidson Ticket Package: Upcoming Race, July 4
Get ready for a Fourth of July weekend like no other as American Flat Track roars back to the legendary Du Quoin State Fairgrounds for the iconic Memphis Shades DuQuoin Mile on Saturday, July 4. Feel the adrenaline as the nation’s fastest riders take on the historic “Magic Mile”—a track renowned for its speed, drama, and photo-finish battles. Check out the Harley-Davidson VIP Experience ticket package. It includes general admission seats, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line – photo ops included – a meet-and-greet with the Harley-Davidson riders, and exclusive swag.
The H-D VIP Experience is available for $150 ($64 for kids), along with the option to be purchased as a $95 add-on to upgraded seating options.
And no matter what ticket option you select at any race, pit access is included, providing fans an opportunity to get an up-close look at the race bikes and meet the riders and their teams.
Mission AFT SuperTwins Race Results
Caterpillar Nashville Short Track presented by Memphis Shades (Top 10)
1. Briar Bauman (H-D) Super.com/Rick Ware Racing/Jacob Construction/Parts Plus
2. Kody Kopp (H-D) Latus Motors Racing/Harley-Davidson/BMC Racing
3. Dallas Daniels (Yam) Estenson Racing/Yamaha Racing/Monster Energy
4. Declan Bender (Yam) OTB Racing/Memphis Shades/Corbin
5. Aidan RoosEvans (H-D) FRA Trust Advisors
6. Davis Fisher (KTM) Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing/Wall60 Racing
7. Cameron Smith (Yam) Fredericktown Yamaha/Thee Kathy Gray
8. Trent Lowe (Hon) American Honda/Mission Foods/Castrol/Roof Systems
9. Chad Cose (Yam) PRO Roofing/Parker Racing/Fredericktown Yamaha
10. Jarod VanDerkooi (H-D) Mission Foods/Roof Systems/Floyd Tapp Racing
Michael Le Pard (“Mr. Totalmotorcycle”) is the Founder of Total Motorcycle, the world’s largest motorcycle information site, trusted by over 430 million riders since 1999. With over 34 years of experience in motorcycles, gear and rider culture, he has built a global community dedicated to empowering and inspiring motorcyclists.
Total Motorcycle remains his passion project. Combining expert research, hands‑on knowledge and a commitment to helping riders make informed decisions about bikes, gear and safety worldwide.
