In 2024, Brandon Robinson (44) and Jared Mees (1) battle it out at the Lima Half-Mile with Briar Bauman (3) close on their heels [Photo: American Flat Track/Tim Lester]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 23, 2025) – The stars of Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, are gearing up for this weekend’s hugely anticipated Lima Half-Mile I & II at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28. 

In the Presence of Royalty 

Even in retirement, the presence of Jared Mees was destined to loom large over this year’s Mission AFT SuperTwins title fight. 

Mees not only left on his own terms last year, he did so in the most spectacular way possible, winning his final race in a season that culminated with an unprecedented tenth Grand National Championship. 

Quite naturally, the defining story of the 2025 season was always going to be the battle to assume Mees’ throne, and thus, even in absence, he gets mentioned on a near-weekly basis. 

However, that’ll ramp up considerably this weekend with Mees in attendance, presiding over the festivities as the event’s co-promotor alongside his wife and former GNC competitor Nichole Mees. 

Challenge Accepted 

Mees’ continued influence on the sport extends beyond the attempts of his former rivals to fill his void or by way of his race promotion. He’s helped to usher in yet more history by playing a key role in devising the Mission Triple Challenge format set to debut this Friday night. 

As a brief refresher, here’s a reminder of how the Mission Triple Challenge will work: 

Race 1: A fast and furious 10-lap sprint where riders race for points (23 for 1st, 19 for 2nd, and so on). The results? Not just bragging rights—they also set the stage (aka the starting grid) for Race 2. 

Race 2: Fifteen laps of adrenaline-packed action where the stakes are doubled. Riders earn twice as many points as in Race 1 (46 for 1st, 38 for 2nd, and so on). With twice the reward and grid positions for the final race on the line, the tension is sky-high. 

Race 3: The grand finale! Twenty laps of high-octane action with triple the points of Race 1 up for grabs (69 for 1st, 57 for 2nd, and so on). The stakes couldn’t be higher as riders battle for ultimate glory. 

At the end of Race 3, all points are tallied to crown the night’s overall top three in each class. And if there’s a tie? It all boils down to who came in clutch and delivered the best finishing position in Race 3. 

But even broken down and laid out, we still don’t know exactly how it’ll play out in practice. For example, will strategies vary alongside race length – i.e. could we be in for a non-stop, all-out brawl in Race 1 with a more tactical affair to round out the evening in Race 3? 

Seems reasonable enough, but we just don’t know. 

Better yet, neither do the racers. As much as overall race strategies are unknown, each racer is likely to have their individual take on how things should work, which will then be tested by how it actually does. 

Over time, as the Mission Triple Challenge rounds stack and the data accumulates, some consensus regarding best practices may eventually take shape.  

But as for this Friday night? Buckle up.

Clash of the Pea-Gravel Titans 

Lima is an ideal venue to host the inaugural Triple Challenge. It’s both physically and strategically demanding and widely viewed as among the most coveted wins a Mission SuperTwins pilot can attain. 

History also shows it’s a place where the best and brightest outshine the rest, with the legendary trio of Scott Parker (seven wins), Mees (five wins), and Chris Carr (four wins) ranking 1-2-3 in career Lima Half-Mile triumphs. 

It’s only fitting then that this year’s races will feature a trio of modern-era Lima masters in Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R), Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R), and Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). 

Bauman comes in with the points lead on the strength of a three-race win streak. He also happens to own three previous Lima wins, all coming on different makes of equipment (Kawasaki, Indian, and KTM). This weekend presents an opportunity to make it four as he rolls in on the Harley-Davidson XG750R. 

Should Bauman continue his tear and sweep this weekend’s doubleheader, he’ll boast the second longest win streak in Grand National Championship history, trailing only Ricky Graham, who took six Main Events in succession during his epic 1993 title season. 

Neither four nor five will come easily, however. This year’s Short Track-centric schedule was a significant factor in RWR electing to field the H-D. That has proven to be a wise decision to date, however, Half-Miles in general and Lima in particular are different tests entirely. 

Plus, he’ll need to overcome both Robinson and Daniels, among others, to do so. 

Robinson himself is a two-time winner at Lima, claiming top honors in 2016 on a Harley-Davidson XR750 and again in 2022 on an Indian FTR750. He’s consistently strong at the circuit, claiming finishes of first, second, third, and fourth in his most recent four attempts.  

And while Daniels has just the one Lima Half-Mile win, it came one year ago in devastating fashion. Despite calling off the dogs late, he still won by nearly six-and-a-half seconds.  

Now riding an 18-race podium streak, the Estenson Racing ace figures to be good everywhere – and that’s why he remains the title favorite in the eyes of many. The shift away from Short Tracks to a pair of Half-Miles and a Mile may present a golden opportunity for Daniels to reset and take a second shot at asserting the sort of dominance so many expected from him before the ‘25 campaign got underway. 

The Big Four 

Any discussion regarding the season’s evolving Grand National Championship fight would be incomplete if it failed to include Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke). 

In fact, Fisher ranks just behind Bauman and Daniels and ahead of Robinson in the points, leapfrogging the Mission Roof System pilot with an impressive second-place effort last time out. 

Fisher’s ‘25 finishes of fourth-third-fourth-seventh-and-second mark the best five-race run of his career, and he only expects to get better as he gets more seat time on the KTM 790 Duke. 

While Lima has not typically proven overly kind to Fisher, he has managed to finish fourth here twice in the past, including last year when he ran down Bauman to steal the position. 

Davis Fisher (67) at the Lima Half-Mile in 2024 [Photo: American Flat Track/Tim Lester]

Upset Alert 

The uncertainty of the Triple Challenge may up the odds of an upset this weekend. 

If so, who is most likely to deliver it? 

Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Fastrack Racing/Wally Brown Racing KTM 790 Duke) is an easy answer. He’s rapidly rounding into form, having earned three straight top fives (including a podium) in his last three outings. 

And while the odds are admittedly longer, don’t discount the likes of James Ott (No. 19 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07), Max Whale (No. 18 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Progressive Insurance Honda Transalp) and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Suzuki GSX-8S), all of whom have demonstrated front-running form at times early this season. 

You Ask, The Riders Answer 

Lima’s fanbase has a reputation for being among the most knowledgeable to be found anywhere in the nation. And they’ll have an opportunity to add to that knowledge base via the Rider Q&A session that will be included in each day’s Fan Party, which will run for approximately an hour directly preceding Opening Ceremonies. 

That won’t be the only attraction keeping spectators entertained between action on track. There will be music, a bouncy house for kids, numerous vendors, and plenty of food and beverage options, along with extensive motorcycle parking. 

And fans who come out a day early can watch some of the future stars of the sport perform for free with a day of amateur racing scheduled for Thursday, June 26. 

Get Your Tickets Today and Save Some Cash  

Fans can save $10 by purchasing their tickets in advance with prices slated to return to their standard rate starting on Wednesday, June 25. If you act fast, General Admission Bleacher tickets are still $35 each night (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult GA ticket) with Reserved Grandstand tickets $40 and Premier Reserved Grandstand $45. Meanwhile, fans who purchase the two-day ticket save an additional $5 (two-day General Admission: $65/two-day Reserved: $75/two-day Premier Reserved: $85). 

Those who purchase either a Reserved ticket or a Premier Reserved ticket will have the option to add the VIP Experience upgrade for a combined $150. New for 2025, the Lima VIP Experience includes a trackside meet-and-great with dirt track legend Jared Mees, infield access for the Opening Ceremonies and heat races, all-day pit access, a climate-controlled VIP lounge, and free VIP parking. 

Camping is also available at the Allen County Fairgrounds on a first-come, first-served basis. Tent Camping is free while RV/Trailer Camping, including water and electric hook-ups, is $50 per night (cash only). 

To purchase Lima Half-Mile I tickets, click HERE.   

To purchase Lima Half-Mile II tickets, click HERE.  

And to save $5 by purchasing Friday and Saturday tickets together for the Lima Half-Mile I & II, click HERE. 

Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) on both days. For more information, ticket purchases, and updates, visit www.limahalf-mile.com or call 419-991-1491 

How to Watch 

FloRacing 

For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast. 

FS1 

FOX Sports coverage of the Lima Half-Mile I, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, July 5, at 9:30 a.m. ET (6:30 a.m. PT), with the Lima Half-Mile II scheduled to air one week later, on Saturday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT). 

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.