VOL. 55 ISSUE 36 SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 P79
HURRY UP
With the threatening weather
forecast on the horizon, American
Flat Track officials implemented a
hurry-up schedule. The program
consisted of timed qualifying fol-
lowed by three semis where the top
six moved on to their main events for
both classes. Opening ceremonies
and race start time were moved up
with limited breaks. Fortunately,
once the track was in shape to race
on, following a light shower, there
were few interruptions. A light rain
began to fall as the podium celebra-
tions were concluding. The rains
only increased throughout the rest
of the night.
2018 WIN CLUB
Briar Bauman became the seventh
rider to win an AFT Twins main event
in 2018. In 16 rounds, six riders have
won one race and Jared Mees has
won 10. Mees clinched the champi-
onship in Springfield last week, but
Briar Bauman still has a mathemati-
cal shot at second. He trails Henry
Wiles by 33 points with two rounds
remaining.
BROTHERS ON TOP
It is a rare occurrence for brothers
to take the top two positions in an
AFT Twins/AMA GNC main event.
Williams Grove was just the fifth time
it has happened since World War II.
In 1969, just down the road in Read-
ing, Pennsylvania, Larry and Chuck
Palmgren became the first to do so.
Gary and Hank Scott did it in 1977.
Tommy and Nicky Hayden hit the top
steps in 2001 before the Haydens
(Nicky, Tommy and Roger) filled the
podium in 2002.
BREAK TIME
A short break is on the horizon for
the American Flat Track stars with
three weeks until the Minnesota
Mile in Shokopee. It will be quickly
followed by the finale in East Ruth-
erford, New Jersey, on another mile
track that is located in the shadow of
New York City.
Briefly...
Bronson Bauman (37) picked off Mees late in the race.
along with all my friends. It's a great event, and
it's only about an hour-and-a-half away from my
hometown. It's amazing to come out here and
win a championship in front of my home state.
I'm not happy with my performance tonight
but to be able to stand up here and hold this
number-one plate is unmatched. I can't thank
everyone enough. Throughout the race, I knew
if I was ahead of Wells I could do it. I kept
peeking over here at the big screen that AFT so
graciously supplied this race. I'm not sure what
happened to Ryan today." CN
