Progressive American Flat Track – Weedsport Speedway July 2

The Progressive American Flat Track series is set to make its fourth-ever stop at Weedsport Speedway on July 2. The previous visits have proven popular with fans in central New York, drawing sellout crowds to observe its bar-banging action and unpredictable racing. But for those still uninitiated, two core characteristics should help explain the motorcycle racing series’ popularity: Progressive AFT is both historic and elite.

The series brands itself as “America’s Original Extreme Sport” and is justified in making such a lofty claim. It’s among the oldest motorsports series in the nation. It traces its direct lineage back a century and has served to crown the “Grand National Champion” since 1954.

It’s also universally regarded as the pinnacle of motorcycle dirt track racing anywhere on the planet. Its vibrant history continues to be added to each successive season, and it currently features a rivalry that is certain to go down in its annals.

Indian Motorcycle’s Jared Mees stands as the reigning champion of its premier class, Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle. Mees’ 2021 triumph was just the latest in a career that sees him rank among the very top in the sport’s long history in terms of race wins and championships.

However, it was his first since 2018 with his younger rival Indian teammate, Briar Bauman, defeating him for top honors in 2019 and 2020. Not unexpectedly, their epic on-track battles have transformed what was once a mentor-protégé relationship into a bitter rivalry that only enhances the entertainment value of a showdown that already ranks among the series’ best.

Mees and Bauman have combined to win the New York Short three times. Last season’s stop proved to be pivotal, with Mees earning a win that would kick start the late-season flurry he needed to track down and overhaul Bauman in the title fight.

The challengers who hope to join them in battling for the 2022 crown rank as among the greatest riders on Earth, and the two support classes, Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines and Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER, are loaded up with the next wave of talent primed to take the torch in the not-too-distant future.

Every stop of the Progressive AFT tour features plenty of attractions outside of the racing to keep fans entertained, including vendors, live music, and a dedicated “Kid’s Zone.” This year’s edition of the New York Short Track is set to be all that much more special with a Fourth of July weekend fireworks display and up-close access to the riders and their equipment via a Paddock Pass Upgrade.