FLAT TRACK
AMERICAN FL AT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUNDS 5-6 / SEPTEMBER 5-6, 2020
ILLINOIS STATE FAIRGROUNDS / SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
P70
Saturday's 14-minute-plus-
two-lap feature found Mees and
Sammy Halbert (Coolbeth-Nila
Racing/Roof Systems of Dallas,
Indian FTR750) hooked up and
pulling away to big leads over the
rest of the 17-rider field.
The lead duo seemed to
just be testing each other as
their lead grew. In more typical
Springfield action, Davis Fisher
(BriggsAuto.com/Bob Lanphere,
Indian FTR750), Brandon Robin-
son (HCRR Racing/Ben Evans
Racing, Indian FTR750), Jeffrey
Carver (Happy Trails Racing/
DPC Racing, Indian FTR750),
JD Beach (Estenson Racing/
Yamaha Racing, Yamaha MT-07),
Brandon Price (Roof Systems of
second, well ahead of the battle
for third. Carver grabbed the last
podium seat ahead of Robinson,
Fisher, Price and the Bauman
brothers Briar and Bronson.
Sunday's track was much
slower as the fast way around
was much longer, but the rac-
ing was tighter. Mees grabbed
the lead only to be set back by
Carver. Unlike Saturday, Robin-
son, Fisher, Halbert and Beach
were all close to the leaders.
Halbert would soon start to fade
as handling problems ended his
race on lap eight. As the race
wore on, the battle for the lead
narrowed down to Carver, Mees,
Robinson and Briar Bauman.
Dallas TX/Astec Metal Works,
Indian FTR750) and Briar Bauman
(Indian Motorcycle/Progressive In-
surance, Indian FTR750) were all
fighting over the last podium spot.
With the countdown clock
winding down, Mees looked to be
in the perfect drafting position,
but Halbert had other plans. "I
didn't think I could shake Jared,
but I just started to put it togeth-
er," said Halbert. "I could tell he
was struggling off of turn four,
spinning a little bit. I just kept try-
ing to break him and finally I did.
It feels amazing."
Halbert's lead grew to almost
two seconds when the check-
ered flag fell. Mees was safely in
Mees rebounded on
Sunday to take the win
and increase his lead
over Briar Bauman (1) in
the championship.
