Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1172754
FLAT TRACK AMERICAN FL AT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 19/SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 MEADOWL ANDS/EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY P82 Luker was just barely able to stave off Morgen Mischler (Waters Autobody Racing/D&D Powers- ports, KTM 450 SX-F) and Kevin Stollings (Roof-Systems of Dallas, TX/Motion Pro). Max Whale (Kawasaki Mo- tors/Shoei Australia, Kawasaki KX450F) finished in eighth well ahead of a tight battle over ninth between Brandon Kitchen (Donley Excavation/D&D Cycles, Honda CRF450R) and Cole Zabala (RMR Al Lamb of Dallas, TX/Tucker Powersports). While this was going on up- front, Gauthier was soldiering along in 14th position. At the end that would just be good enough. "I don't think a lot of people saw me as a champion in this class coming into the season opener," Gauthier said. "Robby McLendon and I worked together all year. There was a lot of stress and a lot of ups and downs, but we worked through it. I can't thank him enough as well as my parents and everyone else who supported us. "I believed in myself, and every weekend I gave it 110%, but I really struggled today," added Gauthier. "I was stressing out all day, but I pulled it together for the main, I guess you could say. I was way behind, but I just wanted to bring home the championship. This season has been awesome and one I'll never forget." AFT PRODUCTION TWINS Three riders were still in conten- tion for the AFT Production Twins points title entering the last race AFT SINGLES After blowing up his "A" bike last week, Dalton Gautier was trying to maintain his points lead with his back-up, and it was a daunting job. Gauthier qualified 21st then finished seventh in his semi. Last week's winner and fast qualifier Mikey Rush led the 17-rid- er field around the first lap and every one after that. Chad Cose (American Suzuki, Suzuki RM- Z450) held second early but lost the spot to defending class cham- pion Dan Bromley (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing/Roof-Systems of Dallas KTM450 SX-F) on lap two. Cose started to drop back through the field and eventually dropped out after the sixth lap. Bromley, sitting second in points with Gauthier and having a bad day, needed to run Rush down. Unfortunately for Brom- ley, Wells had other plans and dropped Bromley to third on lap 10. Dallas Daniels (Estenson Rac- ing/Monster Energy, Yamaha YZ450F) had been involved in a major crash during his semi, but made it to the restart and rode his way into the main. He came from the back row and worked his way up to finish in the fourth position. Andrew Luker (Rackley Racing/ Keeran Racing/Baker Racing, Ya- maha YZ40FX) had the holeshot before giving way to Rush. Luker finished the first lap in the sixth position, but he powered his way into fourth, only to have Daniels drop him back one place on lap seven. IIIMY OWN RACE: finish third and finish third overall in the championship. Overall, I'm happy with how the night went, and I believe the rough track condi ons played into my favor." 5 JAKE JOHNSON 5TH AFT TWINS "I was kind of coming in here hoping for something good, but the track was not ideal," said Estenson Racing's Jake Johnson. "It's just the way it all panned out. I felt okay today in the first prac ce and then had some is- sues with the bike in the qualifier and only got a lap. It was a tough day as a whole with the track condi ons and the schedule changing. They ended up shortening the race to eight laps, and we didn't really know what was going to happen, star ng the race. It was just kind of one of those deals. The track was pre y bad. Everybody was just kind of surviving, really. I went out and rode my pace and finished eighth. It was our best mile finish of the year, though, and while I'm kind of ready for the season to be over, in the same sense, I didn't quench the thirst this year. At the Buffalo Chip, we were so close, but it was just a rough year. We're going to regroup and hopefully be er things for me next year."