Tom Drane (No. 1) races Chase Saathoff (No. 88) at the 2026 Lima Half-Mile.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 9, 2026) – History is being rewritten on a per race basis as the KICKER AFT Singles championship arrives for the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile. 

Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) will be in the spotlight once again as Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, makes its long-awaited return to Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, this Saturday, July 11. 

The Battle for the ‘Books 

With each successive triumph, Drane not only separates himself from the 2026 field of title hopefuls, he puts himself more and more in direct conflict with the class’ all-time greats. 

With six races remaining on the season slate, Drane already has a strong claim as the most decorated rider in KICKER AFT Singles history. In fact, only luminaries Kody Kopp and Dallas Daniels can muster any sort of argument to the contrary. 

Here’s how the three stack up in the key categories: 

Championships 

• Kopp: 3* 
• Daniels: 2 
• Drane: 1 (with a 41-point lead on the path toward #2)

Main Event Victories 

• Drane: 25* 
• Kopp: 23 
• Daniels: 13

Mile Wins 

• Drane: 9* 
• Kopp: 1 
• Daniels: 0

Half-Mile Wins 

• Kopp: 11** 
• Drane: 7 
• Daniels: 5

Short Track Wins 

• Kopp: 10* 
• Drane: 7 
• Daniels: 6

TT Wins 

• Daniels: 3 
• Kopp: 1 
• Drane: 1

(Kopp and Drane are two of the six riders to complete the KICKER AFT Singles Grand Slam) 

Notable Win Streaks 

• Daniels: 6* 
• Drane: 5 
• Kopp: 4 

Active Win Streaks 

• Drane: 4 (active streak)

Notable Podium Streaks 

• Drane: 14* 
• Drane: 9 
• Kopp: 8 
• Daniels: 7 
• Kopp: 6

Single Season Wins 

• Daniels: 8** 
• Kopp: 8** 
• Drane: 8** 
• Kopp: 7 
• Drane: 7 
• Kopp: 6 
• Drane: 6 (active)
• Daniels: 4 
• Drane: 4

*Denotes most ever in class history 

**Denotes tied for the most ever in class history 

While the numbers generally slant in the direction of Kopp and Drane, Daniels’ candidacy is buoyed in part by the fact that he participated in just 40 KICKER AFT Singles races compared with 69 for Kopp and 61 (and counting) for Drane. 

Still, Drane is looking pretty good in this comparo, and he’s got time left to run up the score. 

Of course, the real battle won’t transpire until he graduates to the Grand National Championship, where Kopp and Daniels are currently ranked first and second in this year’s  title fight. 

While the two have set the bar sky high, to date Drane has succeeded with flying colors. And his teaser of a Mission AFT SuperTwins performance last year in Springfield suggests that he’s equally capable of making a seamless transition to the premier class. 

Gloves Off for Saathoff 

Throughout Drane’s KICKER AFT Singles career, Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) has served as his primary rival and foil. 

Saathoff’s stats have suffered as a result of the large shadow cast by Drane’s historic greatness. If not for Drane, Saathoff would likely be the one making a run at the record books. 

In fact, already this season, Saathoff has finished second to Drane on four occasions – the latest by 0.088 seconds – as he continues to hunt his first win of ‘26. 

In an attempt to turn the tide, Saathoff has ridden for three different teams on two different makes of equipment and done so under the tutelage of some of the most accomplished and experienced figures in the paddock, including ten-time Grand National Champion Jares Mees.  

While he’s yet to fully crack the code, this experience should bode him well in his own premier-class future, as he continues to learn to adapt and interpret the advice of a number of sources. 

And even if masked by Drane (again), Saathoff has things rolling pretty well at the moment. He comes into Williams Grove riding an active six-race podium streak, which ties him for the ninth longest in class history. 

Who Will Step Up? 

In recent weeks, Bodie Paige (No. 165 RWR/American Honda/BWR Ranch Honda CRF450R) burst onto the scene in sensational fashion, notching up podium finishes in each of his three Progressive American Flat Track rides. 

While he looks to have the makings of a bonafide star, the young Australian won’t be racing the weekend. That creates a bit of space for others to emerge from the pack. 

Teammates Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and  Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) have impressed mightily on multiple occasions this season, although they’ll be looking to recapture that fire after coming up short of the podium the last couple times out. 

The ever-present Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Texas Utility Studies/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) continues to seek his first career victory, while Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Honda CRF450R) is in need of a big weekend after enduring something of a rough patch of late. 

All four are big league talents with plenty of motivation. They’re arguably the most likely to step forward and make a run for the checkers this weekend, but here are two more to consider… 

Home Stand 

Pennsylvanians Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F) and Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Eisenhard Racing/Pags Powersports KTM 450 SX-F) will look to use this weekend’s home race as an opportunity to make a big impression. 

Both riders came out swinging in ‘26. Eisenhard was one of the heroes of the DAYTONA opener, where he threw down the fastest lap in qualifying, won his heat, and scored a top-five result in the Main. 

Pfanders took his turn in the spotlight the following day, breaking through to claim his maiden Progressive AFT victory. 

While both have struggled to match that season-opening form, Pfanders in particular has come on as of late, stringing together a pair of top fives his last two times out. 

Eisenhard looked capable of pushing for the top five as well, qualifying on the front row of his heat race, but bike issues prevented him from taking part this past Sunday. He’ll now attempt to translate that speed into a maiden podium with his home fans cheering him on this weekend.. 

Buid.Train.Race…Celebrate 

The Williams Grove Half-Mile represents the 2026 Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. (BTR) season finale as the program completes its seventh season of highlighting, celebrating, and encouraging the involvement of women in flat track racing. 

Emma Gottsch (No. 5 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars) holds the advantage with three wins and a runner-up in the four races to date. 

Meanwhile, Julia Heess (No. 13 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars) has given Gottsch all she could handle on more than one occasion this season, racking up three seconds and a third in the process. 

However, the series’ most recent winner is none other than Madicela Rodriguez (No. 113 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars), who secured the win at the series’ penultimate round in Nashville. 

Flat Trackin’ Fun for the Whole Family 

Fans of all ages will be entertained for the entire day at the Williams Grove Half-Mile. Beyond the spectacular racing, the event will feature big-screen viewing, numerous vendor displays, a Kid Zone, and a wide variety of food and beverage options. 

General Admission tickets are just $40, while Reserved Grandstand Seating and Premium Reserved Grandstand Seating are available for $50 and $60, respectively. Kids 12 and under receive $15 off all ticket options. Additionally, students can get their ticket for just $30 at the door with a valid ID. 

The Pit Pass add-on provides fans a chance to get an up-close look at the racebikes and meet the riders and their teams. 

The H-D VIP Experience includes GA seating with full pit access, dedicated VIP H-D motorcycle parking, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line – photo ops included – a meet-and-greet with the Harley-Davidson riders, and exclusive swag. The H-D VIP Experience is available for $135, along with the option to be purchased as a $95 add-on to upgraded seating options. 

Fans who choose to camp can reserve a spot for $50. 

To purchase tickets for the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile, visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-williams-grove-half-mile-185952. 

For more information about Appalachian Harley-Davidson, visit https://appalachianharley-davidson.com. 

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on Saturday with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. ET/4:05 p.m. PT. 

How to Watch 

FloRacing 

For those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast. 

FS1 

FOX Sports coverage of the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, July 25, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT). The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres can be found at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. 

About AMA Pro Racing

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines from its headquarters in Daytona Beach, Fla. Learn more at www.amaproracing.com.

About Progressive American Flat Track

Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest‑running championships in the history of motorsports.