| Trevor Brunner (21) celebrates winning the AFT Singles presented by KICKER class Main Event at Lucas Oil Speedway on July 18 [Photo: American Flat Track/Kristen Lassen] DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 31, 2025) – The Jackpine Gypsies Short Track I & II will see the AFT AdventureTrackers™ make their long-awaited return and play host to an evolving AFT Singles presented by KICKERchampionship fight as Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, kicks off an action-packed week at the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally with the Jackpine Gypsies Short Track I & II, on Monday, August 4, and Tuesday, August 5, at the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club in Sturgis, South Dakota. Never a Doubt Was there ever any doubt? At Lucas Oil Speedway, Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) managed to extend his career-long streak of winning at least one race in each of his AFT Singles campaigns. And he did so in thrilling last-lap, last-corner fashion following an epic clash with title fighters Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R). Okay, maybe there was just a hint of doubt – especially pulling off that win after Drane jumped out the early lead. Brunner continues to establish himself as among the sport’s most decorated 450cc riders. Since joining the pro ranks after winning Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award honors in 2019, Brunner has been named AFT Singles Rookie of the Year, finished inside the championship top five on four occasions, climbed his way up to seventh all-time in career race wins, and stands as one of just five riders to achieve the Grand Slam in the category. Really, the only major achievement thus far eluding him is the #1 plate. With former class rivals Dallas Daniels and Kody Kopp no longer a concern, 2025 was expected to be his best shot yet. Brunner is still in the hunt, but the road to the title is looking steeper by the round. Second-ranked Saathoff is well within reach, now 12 points ahead and seven rounds remaining. Drane, however, is a relatively distant 35 points out. And worse yet, Drane shows very few signs of making things easy on Brunner – or Saathoff for that matter. When the Australian saw his class-record nine-race podium streak halted earlier this year, he immediately went about assembling an active five-race streak that ranks tenth best all-time. While time is running out for those in pursuit of Drane, there’s plenty of opportunity for movement this week. With three races in five days, a full 69 points will be up for grabs in Sturgis. Three Races in Five? Make That Five in Five Three rounds in five days is correct, but five races in five days is more accurate, as the Jackpine Gypsies Short Track I will utilize the Mission Triple Challenge format. In its debut, Brunner proved himself capable of beating Drane to the checkered flag – teasing what was to come – even if Drane ultimately walked away with overall top honors and maximum points in Lima. But one small mishap in any of the three Main Events on Monday could prove pivotal in this year’s championship battle. New to All Kage Tadman (No. 288 Roof Systems/Old Oak Ranch KTM 450 SX-F), Walker Porter (No. 100 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and the rest of this year’s standout rookie class will find themselves on somewhat more leveled ground this week in Sturgis. The Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club’s Short Track will be new to all, offering the first-year riders a chance to compete while not also facing the additional challenge of coming to grips with a venue at which their opponents are already well acquainted. Even minus that help, Tadman has scooped a pair of wins this year and seemed to have a realistic shot at a third at Lucas Oil Speedway before a mechanical problem knocked him out of the running in the Main Event’s opening lap. Porter, meanwhile, is motivated to get on the podium and do so as quickly as possible. Could the rookies turn the class’ power dynamics upside down again this week? Happy Hunting Grounds Even if the tracks are different, a return to the city where he earned his first-career AFT Singles podium one year ago is likely a welcome one for Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R). Santero is in the midst of something of a mini-slump, having finished 17th, eighth, and eighth, in his most recent three races. That said, he still ranks fourth in the standings, thanks in large part to grabbing his second- and third-career podium finishes earlier in the year. But he’s going to have to return to that form in a hurry if he wants to remain in fourth and hold off the big pack of riders currently embroiled in a rapidly advancing fight for fifth. Gimme Five Just ten points separate Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust/ATV’s and More Yamaha YZ450F), Evan Renshaw (No. 65 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), and Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Hannum’s HD/Pfanders Racing KTM 450 SX-F), who rank fifth through seventh. And as mentioned above, that scrap is effectively one for fourth, with RoosEvans now just six points back of Santero. But while fourth may be the goal (at least considering how far out in front Drane, Saathoff, and Brunner are), eleventh isn’t out of the question for any of them either. Tadman and Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R/Little Debbie Racing Honda CRF450R) are just four points back of Pfanders and within single-race striking distance of Santero. And while there is some distance back to tenth-ranked Hunter Bauer (No. 24 Vinson Construction/Reel Medics Yamaha YZ450F) and eleventh-ranked Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), both riders have shown the ability to make up piles of points in a hurry when on their game. Adventure Awaits The AFT AdventureTrackers are back following their massively successful debut in Sturgis last year and will be here for the next four rounds. |
