part-timer Sammy Halbert, priva-
teers Davis Fisher and Brandon
Robinson, and rookie Dallas
Daniels.
As a result of that dip in form,
Bauman came to New York
just third in points—and twice
as close to fifth as he was to
first. Perhaps most alarmingly,
he hadn't even finished on the
VOLUME 59 ISSUE 27 JULY 6, 2022 P81
leader with eight combined wins
since the series' last stop at the
track, including a pivotal one last
time at out Weedsport.
Bauman, by contrast, had
only taken a single victory since,
trailing not only Mees over that
span, but also Estenson Racing
Yamaha's JD Beach (two wins),
while sitting equal with series
This year, however, Bauman
arrived at Weedsport Speed-
way facing a very different
landscape. His '21 title defense
ultimately proved unsuccessful
as his great rival, Jared Mees,
took back the crown with a last-
season flourish. Mees carried
that form over into '22 and came
into the weekend as the points
MYOWNRACE
on for us. Finally, we got to a track that
is more similar to what I've been riding
the motorcycle on. It's a big reward even
though it's not exactly the finish that we
wanted. We'll take these baby steps and
big rewards and move onto the next."
18 MAX WHALE
6TH SINGLES
Two- me AFT Singles championship run-
ner-up Max Whale was likely knocked out
of tle conten on when an injury at the
Red Mile required surgery that sidelined
him for the following two rounds. The Red
Bull KTM Factory Racing runner will now
focus on ge ng his first win of the year
a er claiming five a year ago. A sixth-pace
effort in his return was a decent start in
that pursuit. The Australian said, "It was
a tough day at the office. It felt like a long
one. Constantly from the first prac ce to
the final, we were chasing the bike. I just
didn't feel 100% comfortable. In the main
we ended up sixth. That's nothing to write
home about, but it's not too bad consider-
ing my leg, and it's only been three and a
half weeks. Head up, and I'll be ready for
Port Royal."
Jared Mees filled out
the podium and still
sits at the top of the
leaderboard, 16 points
ahead of Bauman and
Dallas Daniels.
