got together going into turn one,
fighting for the top spot, result-
ing in Joiner going down. Nick-
ens' victory in the Youth Premier
main e
vent was much more
comfortable, as the Virginian
was unfazed by multiple restarts
and cruised to victory by over
seven seconds.
The word "cruise" perfectly
describes how Cruise Texter
claimed his two victories dur
-
ing the day. Cruise Texter was
dominant in the 50cc
Chain and
Mini Open classes. It appeared
Cruise Texter could be in line
for a perfect day, but a moment
in lap traffic brought the 65cc
main event to a dramatic conclu
-
sion. Cruise Texter, nicknamed
"Shark
Bait," left blood in the
water when attempting to make
a move outside a lap rider. A pa-
tient attack and perfectly timed
pass on
the last lap by a looming
Reef Pendergrass would secure
him the 65cc victory.
Maddox Wingard was also
successful in youth competition,
picking up a win in the 50cc Air-
Cooled class. Additional Group
One winners would include
Evan Myers in Open Novice and
Brianna McHugh in the Women's
class. McHugh from Georgia
would prevail over rising stars
from the United Kingdom, Skye
Adams and Jamie Kimber. Doug
O'Boyle also found success in
the 60+ main event during the
morning session.
While Bitz-Hay and Drane may
have seen the spotlight shine a
little brighter on their success
during the afternoon portion,
several other competitors earned
wins on the hallowed grounds of
Daytona: Kenneth Shaffer (50+),
Robby "Bobby" McLendon (40+)
and John Poorman (30+) topped
the AMA Vet Classes. Stephen
Flach and Nicholas Myers won
the event's Vintage classes
with Flach taking Vintage Light
honors and Myers the Vintage
Open winner. Joshua Pierce
topped the 250 Amateur Class,
and James Parker held off Jon
Kruppenbacker for the Hooligan
victory.
The next Mission Foods Cory
Texter Promotions Showcase
Event will commence at Senoia
Raceway on March 20.
Scotty Taylor
Road to AFT (Top 5)
1. Ryder Bitz-Hay (KTM)
2. Same Drane (Yam)
3. Dillon Durelle (Yam)
4. Wyland Seger (Hon)
5. Jed Fyffe (Yam)
VOLUME 63 ISSUE 10 MARCH 10, 2026 P51
Sam Drane (7) picked up two main event wins
and the Mission Challenge victory.
Jayden Nickens (17) is
chatting with mechanic Tyler
Raggio. Nickens scored two
wins on the day in 85cc and
Youth Premier.
