American Flat Track Half-Mile At Rolling Wheels An Amazing Show

Column By: JOHN ZACHARY / RPW – ELBRIDGE, NY – The all new American Flat Track (AFT) series made a stop at the very quiet Rolling Wheels Raceway for round 11 of their 20 race schedule. Last year was AFT’s first visit to the historic 1/2 mile track in upstate NY. American Flat Track has been missed in these parts for years. Fans proved it with their awesome attendance for the inaugural Race last season.

Well this year was no different the place was packed with motorcycle fans from all over the north east. RWR has been one of the premier dirt tracks in the north east for years. Playing host to Dirt Modifieds, latemodels, and the super fast World of Outlaw Sprintcars. For the past few years the track has been under new ownership, and management. They have only run select races, and the AFT has been one of those races.

Last year Jared Mees, and 2016 national champion Bryan Smith came into Eldridge, NY in a tight points battle, well this year is no different. The only thing different is that the two champions are on the same team. These popular riders joined together with former series champion Brad “the bullet” Baker to form a dream team with the brand new Indian Motorcycles Race team.

Harley Davidson has had their way for a long time now in the flat track series, but now they are faced with their old rival Indian. Back in the day these two power houses battled for the top spot week in and week out, until Indian closed its doors on manufacturing motorcycles.

So far this year Indian has won all of the races except one where Brian Bauman got the win in Lima, Ohio on his Weirbah Racing Kawasaki. Team Harley has a dream team of their own with Kenny Coolbeth, Brandon Robinson, and Jake Johnson. They were looking to get their first win of the season at Rolling Wheels raceway.

With the sun shining and the grandstand packed,the riders took to the track for their timed practice. The track was smooth and fast. Jared Mees, Sammy Halbert, and Jeffery Carver Jr. were the fastest guys going into the heat races. Mees, Halbert, and Baker were the winners in the three AFT twins heat races.

Wyatt Anderson, Kolby Carlisle won their respected heat races in the AFT Singles class. This class riders are aboard 450cc motorcycles much like a MX bike, but set up for oval racing.

After all of the heat races the track crew watered the track a bit, and the fans were allowed to go into the pit area for some autographs, merch, and good conversation with their heros of the sport.

Next up on the schedule were two Lcq races and semi events for both classes. National points leader in the singles class Shayna Texter #52 and rising star Kolby Carlile had a great battle to the finish line for their semi with Texter edging out Carlile for the win.

Both Jared Mees, and Sammy Halbert won the two AFT twins semi races. So now the field were set for both classes. The sun was down and the track was fast. Fans ran down to grab a quick bite to eat before these modern day dare devils made their way onto the track.

Up first was the 15 lap AFT singles main event. With the exciting racing earlier in the day this was marked to be a good one. As the riders aimed their bike towards turn one on the starting line, Fans choice tv was recording there every move for the fans at home watching. As the 10 second board went up so did the roar of the engines. The light turned green and off they went down into turn one. Bar to bar they tried to get into position, but one rider went down bringing out the red flag. No one was hurt, but they had to pull up to the line and do it again. As the pack came out of turn two it was Shayna Texter on her Honda leading the way down the long backstretch. Followed close behind by Carlile, Anderson, and Stollings. Texter pulled out to a good lead leaving Anderson and Carlile to flight it out for a podium spot. At the end of 15 laps Shayna got her fourth win of the season and padding her point lead a bit more. Anderson, and Carlile rounded out the top three spots.

After the podium celebrations and interviews it was time for the bad boys of the series, the AFT Twins. The top dogs were all starting in the front row for this epic battle. Harley Davidson looking for their first win of the year, Indian looking to add to their dominance this season, and guys like Halbert, Carver, and Bauman hoping to steal a win from the big 2.

Mees and Sammy Halbert lined up with their elbows about touching on the starting line. Maybe a few head games going in between the two warriors. With the drop of the green they were off for 25 laps of AFT racing. 24 second lap times is what the top bikes were running during the main event.

Jared Mees jumped to the early lead on his Indian Scout FTR750, with Halbert Harley close behind. Guys battled all through the pack. Mees checked out on the field, Sammy tried to reel him m in a few times, but “The Jammer” Jared Mees is super strong on the 1/2 miles. Defending champion Bryan Smith made his way up to the 7th spot after a bad run in his heat race. Fellow Indian scout rider Brad Baker put his ride into the third spot behind Halbert. When the checkered flag flew it was Mees, Halbert, and Bakers standing on the podium. That makes Mees two for two at the “fast track” RWR. With this win Mees moves back into the lead in points over teammate Smith.

I thought this was a great event for us Central New Yorkers, I hope they continue to put New York on the schedule, it’s a must see.

If you missed it, NBCSN will be broadcasting AFT events later on this year. Make sure to look for it at a later date.

For more info on American Flat Track go to americanflattrack.com

I will see you at the Track,

John