FLAT TRACK
2018 AMERICAN FLAT TRACK SERIES
ROUND 1 / MARCH 18, 2018
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY / DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA
P102
around the last corner and saw
the lead they had on me, I knew I
was going to have to start pulling
out some rabbits or I wasn't get-
ting back into this race."
Wiles was four seconds off the
lead with Bauman four seconds
behind him. "The track was real
technical, very slick coming out
of the corners; I made a few mis-
takes, caught a few bumps, and
they just got too far out on me,"
added Wiles. "So I just settled
into a nice, easy pace. I'm happy
to be on the podium again at the
Daytona TT, but a little bummed
at the same time because I knew
I had the pace to run at the
front."
was way out front. I tried to run
him down. I just ran out of laps,
but to come home second was
great."
While Beach closed, Mees
never made the mistake Beach
needed for him to really have
a chance. In the end, Mees
maintained about a half-second
advantage.
Henry Wiles was not done with
his charge to the front, taking
over third on lap 14. "I just had
to pass too many people," Wiles
said. "I think I had to pass Bryan
Smith first and by the time I did
the leaders had already gapped
away. I passed a few more, but
when I final came through and got
allowed me to get aggressive."
It took until lap seven, but with
a clear race track, Mees was
able to open a lead that grew to
nearly two seconds.
On lap 12, Beach was able
to slice by Baker and set sail
for Mees. "I got the holeshot,
but Brad got by me in the first
turn. Jared passed me going
over the jump and into the right
hander," said Beach. "I was just
trying to watch Jared and Brad
and see what they were doing. I
just tried to settle in a little bit. I
was watching Brad and I found a
couple spots where I was a little
quicker. I kept working my line.
I finally got by Brad and Jared
Brad Baker (6) and JD Beech
chased each other around. Beech
went on to challenge Mees for the
win in the main event.
