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fewer in a dwindling number of opportunities for the field—primar- ily third- and fourth-ranked Este- nson Racing Yamaha teammates Dallas Daniels and JD Beach—to make up ground. However, it may ultimately prove to aid the challengers' chances. While Daniels and Beach were strong in South Dakota, Mees and Bauman were stronger. One works Indian ace or the other topped every ses- sion and the two split the Semi wins and then went 1-2 in the four-lap Mission Challenge. The expectation going into the main was another factory Indian 1-2 and, ultimately, an increased mar- gin separating second from third in the championship fight. in the full show for the crowd who had flocked to the circuit from the nearby Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Even if it had taken another 40 seconds or so for the rain to arrive, two laps would have been completed and full points and purse would have been paid as normal. But as it played out, the entire field of riders who quali- fied for the main were awarded a single championship point and paid the full posted purse based on their qualifying order. On the surface, the effectively unchanged nature of the title chase works in the favor of fac- tory Indian Wrecking Crewmen Jared Mees and Briar Bauman, who currently sit 1-2 in the stand- ings. After all, there's now one ROUND 11 / AUGUST 6, 2022 BLACK HILLS SPEEDWAY / RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA P78 FLAT TRACK I PROGRESSIVE AMERICAN FLAT TRACK MYOWNRACE 47 MICHAEL HILL 5TH MISSION PRODUCTION TWINS It was a night of firsts for Pacific Auto Trim/ Jim Speer Yamaha's Michael Hill, who pre- viously owned a best Progressive AFT fin- ish of eighth. He said, "Today was kind of a dream with all the [bad] luck we've had. Today was the day we needed. I'm stoked. Honestly, it was a first for me every me we were out on the racetrack: First top five in qualifying, first win in a Semi, first top five in a main event. It brings tears to my eyes. It's overwhelming all the support I've go en this year. I'm just thankful." 12 KODY KOPP 5TH PARTS UNLIMITED AFT SINGLES Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Kody Kopp has now been off the box for two straight rounds a er winning the previous four in runaway fashion. That said, he's s ll yet to finish outside the top five all season long and could be in line to reassert himself as the series now heads to his home soil, the Castle Rock TT in Castle Rock, Washington. He said, "They say you win championships on your worst days. To finish fi h—which is our worst finish of the year—from 14-place posi on on the grid… we'll take it. Fi h isn't bad, and we're going to my hometown race next." Bauman (3) won the first Semi.