FLAT TRACK
AMERICAN FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP
P68
ROUND 6/JUNE 2, 2019
THE RED MILE/LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
BY DAVE HOENIG
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FLAT TRAK FOTOS
A
fter suffering through two
consecutive rainouts,
American Flat Track rolled
into Lexington, Kentucky, about
the same time intense thunder-
storms swept across the Red
Mile. The heavy rains forced AFT
officials to push the race back
until Sunday, but at least the race
ran its course this time.
This is the third year AFT has
been to the red clay oval, and
Jared Mees (Indian Motorcycle/
Progressive Insurance, Indian
FTR750) was in search of his
third win at the beautiful facility.
"This track suits my style. We
have come here three years and
won three times," said Mees
after his wire-to-wire victory. "I
do like this place. We just always
come here with a really good
setup. Today it was so strong."
Mees got the holeshot in the
25-lap AFT Twins main event
and led the first lap over his old
mile track nemesis, Bryan Smith
(Crosley Brands/Howerton Mo-
torsports, Kawasaki Ninja 650).
Mees' lead was slowly growing
when Brandon Robinson (Ken-
nedy Racing/Armbruster Racing,
Indian FTR750) fell exiting turn
two on lap six.
The resulting red flag and restart
would see virtually every rider's
position change, except for Mees,
who once again took control of the
race. Henry Wiles (Bandit Indus-
tries/DPC Racing, Indian FTR750)
jumped from sixth to second with
Smith right behind.
AFT Twins points leader Briar
Bauman (Indian Motorcycles/
Progressive Insurance, Indian
FTR750) persistently moved to
the front. On lap nine, he took
second from Wiles and started
his assault on Mees' lead. Bau-
man would close the gap to
nearly nothing, and then Mees
would inch away.
With the two leaders playing
their "cat and mouse" game,
Mees Back on Track
Rush edges out Texter for Singles win at the Red Mile
