Courtesy of Villa Esparza/ Crosley Radio Team:

FLINT, Mich. (May 12, 2014) - Reigning AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Twins Champion, Bryan Smith, is excited to announce his plans for the 2014 season by introducing the Villa Esparza / Crosley Radio Team. The new team will utilize the, Jeff Gordon tuned, Kawasaki 750cc engines and many other components from the 2012 and 2013 Howerton Motorsports Twins, in a highly modified C&J chassis by Robert Terando. The Villa Esparza / Crosley Radio Team is eager to build on the 2 consecutive GNC Twins Championships, 4 wins, 13 podium finishes, and 2nd place overall in the 2013 Grand National Championship earned with Smith riding the Howerton machines.

Villa Esparza (pronounced “via”) is a food distribution company, owned by Joe Esparza, and based in Austin, TX. Joe is a long-time friend, and supporter, of Bryan Smith and American Flat Track racing. Esparza proudly steps into the team owner position after Rick Howerton announced he would reduce his time commitment to the AMA Pro Flat Track series at the end of the 2013 season. Howerton, Gordon and Ron “Dink” Glidden will continue to provide technical support for the team, with Bryan and his father, Barry Smith, maintaining the race bikes out of their shop in Michigan.

Founding sponsor, Crosley Radio, looks forward to adding a 3rd successful race season, elevating the professionalism and competitiveness of the Grand National Championship on and off the track, and in the paddock. Visit www.Crosley-Radio.com or stop by the Villa Esparza / Crosley Radio Team pits to see Crosley Radio’s vintage inspired electronics.

Oasis Homes owner, Barney Mars, enters his 4th year sponsoring the #42 GNC Singles program. Oasis Homes will provide the same competition proven CRF450’s that led to 7 top 10 finishes for Smith, for all 2014 Short Track and TT events.

Bryan Smith debuts the Villa Esparza/Crosley Radio Kawasaki at the 2014 Springfield Mile Sunday, May 25th. For tickets to see Bryan, and the rest of the rest of the Grand National Champions at full speed, visit amaproracing.com/ft/events/ for more information.

Bryan would like to thank all of his sponsors for their continued support and a successful 2014 season: Villa-Esparza, Crosley Radios, Howerton Products, Oasis Homes, Ron Curry, Terry Everett, Shoei Helmets, Rock Springs Land & Timber, Sponseller Homes, A&A Racing, Fasthog.com, Dick Ford, Guts Wear, Kenny’s Carbon, Speedway Engines, RT Fabrication, Twenty Six Suspension, Works Connection, Penske, Pro One Industries, Tucker Rocky, Cometic, Saddlemen, Motion Pro, Silkolene, PMP Sprockets, Made in Detroit, Mafia Moto, Oakley, MSR, Sidi Boots, Kymco Scooters, Web Camshaft, Crank Works, FBC, New Technologies and Universal Coating Inc.

Bio: Bryan Smith is currently one of the most successful Grand National Championship riders with 2 consecutive Twins Championships, 11 Grand National wins and 2nd place overall in the 2013 Grand National Championship. Smith was the first rider in motorsport’s history to win a Grand National Championship event for Japanese manufacturer, Kawasaki, at the legendary Indy Mile August 28th, 2010. Bryan has accomplished many milestones in his professional career, winning the 2001 AMA GNC Rookie of the Year, later becoming a member of the fabled, Harley-Davidson “Wrecking Crew”, and is one of a select few in Grand National Championship history to have won GNC Twins events on two different brands.

The Grand National Championship: America’s original motorcycle sport, Flat Track, or Dirt Track, dates back to the wood track velodromes of the early 1900’s, manufacturers such as, Excelsior, Sunbeam, Indian and Harley-Davidson all pushed the envelope of motorcycle technology in the quest for speed and victory. In 1954, the AMA Grand National Championship was born, and there were races at nearly every fairgrounds across the United States. Triumph, BSA, Yamaha and Honda all earned titles, but Harley-Davidson has been unquestionably dominant, winning 48 Championships in the sport’s 59 year history. American Flat Track is experiencing renewed interest and exposure across the country, and internationally. Clubs and high profile events are growing in Europe, Australia and Asia. Flat Track’s incredible legacy and simple, but raw nature will continue to attract fans from around the world for generations.