2025 Horizon Award Winner Bodie Paige (65) races at the O to the H Nationals in Harpster, OH this past season. [Photo: Cory Texter Promotions]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 11, 2025) - AMA Pro Racing and Cory Texter Race Promotions are thrilled to detail an ambitious collaboration ahead of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season which will pave the road to the Grand National Championship for the future stars of the sport. 

As part of this initiative, each of the first seven stops on the ‘26 Progressive AFT calendar will be preceded by an AMA-sanctioned Mission Foods CTR Showcase Event to be held at the same venue on the day before the subsequent American Flat Track National. 

And it goes much deeper than merely introducing aspiring young amateur racers to the Progressive AFT paddock and providing them with an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of the key stakeholders of the sport. 

Each Mission Foods CTR Showcase Event will feature the 450 Road to AFT class, which will utilize the same technical rules as the all-new AFT 450 ProSport class. The top 12 finishers in the Road to AFT Main Events will automatically qualify for an AFT 450 ProSport license and will be granted entry for the following day’s National event. Additionally, points from the Road to AFT class can be applied toward earning an AMA Pro Expert license for the 2027 season. 

This direct pipeline connects the amateur and pro ranks of motorcycle dirt track racing like never before, helping ensure that the most promising talents are identified and provided with the maximum opportunity to both build their individual careers and strengthen the sport as a whole. 

By its very design, AFT 450 ProSport plays a critical role in that masterplan. This stepping-stone class is built around stock 450cc single-cylinder motorcycles featuring minimal modifications. As such, AFT 450 ProSport reduces financial barriers while creating a level playing field that showcases rider talent more so than equipment to encourage broad participation from grassroots racers.  

With lowered operating and bike preparation costs, amateurs, privateers, small teams, and regional aces alike will be provided a shared arena in which they can demonstrate their ability before a national audience. 

Cory Texter, two-time AFT Production Twins Champion and founder of Cory Texter Race Promotions, said, “I'm extremely excited about our plans for next year. It’s been a long time coming, and we’ve been working tirelessly to make this happen. It’s a great opportunity for amateur riders to compete at the same venues as the professional series, racing in front of professional teams and partners. We will be at different venues all around the country, which was important so that we could provide this opportunity to riders from as wide a geographic area as possible. For as long as I can remember, my passion has been growing the sport, and I am excited to take this important step toward that goal.” 

In addition to the 450 Road to AFT class, the AMA-sanctioned Mission Foods CTR Showcase events will feature amateur classes for all ages and motorcycle sizes, providing riders the opportunity to compete at professional-level facilities in front of the Progressive American Flat Track fans attending the weekend’s races. 

Mission Foods CTR Showcase Event Schedule 

March 4, 2026 - Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA I, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL (Progressive AFT Nationals on March 5-6) 

March 20, 2026 - Atlanta Short Track, Senoia Raceway, Senoia, GA (Progressive AFT National on March 21) 

April 24, 2026 - Ventura Short Track, Ventura Raceway, Ventura, CA (Progressive AFT National on April 25) 

May 1, 2026 - Silver Dollar Short Track, Silver Dollar Speedway, Chico, CA (Progressive AFT National on May 2) 

May 15, 2026 - ThrottleFest, Budds Creek Motocross Park, Mechanicsville, MD (Progressive AFT National on May 16) 

May 22, 2026 - Williams Grove Half-Mile, Williams Grove, Mechanicsburg, PA (Progressive AFT National on May 23) 

June 5, 2026 - Nashville Short Track, Tennessee National Raceway, Hohenwald, TN (Progressive AFT National on June 6) 

For more information on Progressive American Flat Track visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.