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1st Impressions Racing to Field Cose, Ott on Husqvarnas in 2023
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (January 11, 2023) 1st Impressions Racing is proud to announce its plans to field Chad Cose and James Ott on Husqvarna FC 450 motorcycles in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER class for the 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season.
The team has also signed two-time Mission Production Twins champion Cory Texter to oversee the revamped program as the Team Manager, while Paul Ott will serve as Crew Chief and Ashley Kruppenbacker as Lead Mechanic.
Cose is a veteran rider who has been winning races at the professional level for the entirety of his career, most recently as a member of 1st Impressions Racing in last year’s Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event at the Cedar Lake Short Track. Cose, who finished as the Mission Production Twins runner-up to Texter in 2021, is motivated to be a consistent force at the front of the field in 2023.
Ott enters his first season on the team with considerable experience riding Austrian-based motorcycles. He concluded the 2022 season ranked inside the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles championship top ten on the strength of a pair of top-five finishes.
Eric Hoyt - Team Owner 1st Impressions Racing
"We have had some success so far in the Progressive American Flat Track series, but for 2023 we are making huge changes to the program. Hiring Cory has been an incredible addition. Not only in a management role, but “CTex” is such a great rider coach and mentor that he’ll get the boys in top-notch shape during the off-season. Bringing back Chad was key and well deserved considering his accomplishments and getting us our first win last year in Wisconsin. And I have been watching James for a few years now, and he is an underrated, fast rider with a bright future. The addition of Paul Ott has been a game changer with his set-up knowledge of the motorcycles and building the bikes. And our mechanic Ashley Kruppenbacker crushes it in the shop during the week and at the track. It's been a lot of fun prepping for the year and I would put our team up against any out there in the series."
Cory Texter - Team Manager
"I am excited to still be involved with the series for 2023 as the Team Manager for 1st Impressions Racing. Eric has been great to work with and is really putting a lot of trust in me to elevate his program in order to run up front with the factory-supported teams. It's going to be a learning year, but I am confident in both Chad and James as the riders. I am excited to start working with them this offseason. With their talents, the sky's the limit. I am also thankful that I was able to bring Paul Ott onto the team. He was crucial to the success I had as a rider these last couple of seasons and is extremely underrated when it comes to his ability to set up a motorcycle. Our lead mechanic Ashley Kruppenbacker is a hard worker and has been a pleasure to work. It'll be a fun season and I am confident we will shake up the results frequently throughout the year."
Chad Cose - #49
“I am eager to sign again with 1st Impression Racing for the 2023 season. Being able to get the team a win shows we have the potential to run up front. I am excited about the switch to Husqvarna motorcycles. It'll be a cool dynamic having another California guy like James as a teammate and Paul as our crew chief. Bringing in CTex was a huge addition to the program. Cory and I have been buds a long time and having him there to work with me during the offseason and be in our corner all year will be priceless. It's going to be a grind, but we will be ready to go.”
James Ott - #19
“I am super stoked going into 2023. In the past, my dad and I have always pieced together what we could on a limited budget. Being on a team like 1st Impressions is an amazing opportunity. They are committed to winning. It'll be cool having a teammate in Chad this year and someone like Cory to get involved with his knowledge and experience as well. I am ready to get the season started.”
Paul Ott - Crew Chief
"I am super excited for the opportunity to mechanic motorcycles for James and Chad on the 1st Impressions Husqvarna team in 2023. I am equally excited to continue working with Cory in this new capacity as well as Ashley Kruppenbacker and the entire team. I want to give a special thanks to Eric Hoyt for allowing us all to have the creative freedom to build what is truly becoming a ground-up Husqvarna FC 450 effort. I look forward to the challenges the 2023 AFT season will bring and know that our team has the tools it takes to emerge successfully."
Ashley Kruppenbacker - Lead Mechanic
“Next year is going to be awesome with the changes Eric is bringing to the team. Switching to the FC 450 and bringing in a second rider in James Ott alongside our current rider Chad Cose is going to make our team a contender next year. It's equally exciting to have Cory Texter involved as well. We have a lot of work to do this offseason, but I am excited to spin the wrenches.”
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Final 2023 Progressive American Flat Track Schedule Announced
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 9, 2023) – AMA Pro Racing has confirmed its finalized 18-round schedule for the upcoming 2023 American Flat Track season.
The previously announced provisional schedule laid out an ideally balanced slate in terms of discipline, geography, and pacing. Other key features were visits to venues both historic and new, the alignment of the calendar with multiple high-profile rallies and holiday weekends, and a more compact timeframe that fits all 18 rounds in during motorcycle riding season. The final schedule features five Miles, five Half-Miles, four Short Tracks, and four TTs.
The final schedule further solidifies that intent with the confirmation of the return of the Arizona Super TT and the West Virginia Half-Mile.
The Arizona Super TT returns following its 2019 debut, joining the entertainment options planned during the weekend of the 29th annual Arizona Bike Week on April 1. The ‘19 event marked the first Mission SuperTwins Main Event win of JD Beach’s career – one that kicked off a run that has seen him score six of seven TTs wins in the years since.
On July 1, Progressive AFT will compete in the state of West Virginia for the first time since 2006 with the West Virginia Half-Mile. The event will take place at the scenic West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, W.V. This mountainside 5/8-mile track is both renowned for its high speed and beautiful settings, promising to serve as an incredible stage for the world’s greatest motorcycle dirt track racers next summer.
The final 2023 Progressive American Flat Track schedule follows:
March 9, 2023 - DAYTONA Short Track I, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
March 10, 2023 - DAYTONA Short Track II, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
March 25, 2023 - Senoia Short Track, Senoia Raceway, Senoia, GA
April 1, 2023 - Arizona Super TT, Chandler, AZ
April 22, 2023 – Dallas Half-Mile, Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Mesquite, TX
May 6, 2023 - Ventura Short Track, Ventura Raceway, Ventura, CA
May 13, 2023 - Sacramento Mile, Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA
May 27, 2023 - Red Mile, The Red Mile, Lexington, KY
June 17, 2023 - DuQuoin Mile, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, Du Quoin, IL
June 24, 2023 - Lima Half-Mile, Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, OH
July 1, 2023 - West Virginia Half-Mile, West Virginia Motor Speedway, Mineral Wells, WV
July 8, 2023 - Orange County Half-Mile, Orange County Fair Speedway, Middletown, NY
July 22, 2023 - Bridgeport Half-Mile, Bridgeport Speedway, Swedesboro, NJ
July 30, 2023 - Peoria TT, Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, IL
August 6, 2023 - Buffalo Chip TT, Sturgis Buffalo Chip, Sturgis, SD
August 12, 2023 - Castle Rock TT, Castle Rock Race Park, Castle Rock, WA
September 2, 2023 - Springfield Mile I, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL
September 3, 2023 - Springfield Mile II, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL
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Kolby Carlile and G&G Racing Team Up for 2023 Progressive AFT Season
Southern California (December 19, 2022) – Kolby Carlile and G&G Racing have teamed up for the 2023 season in the Progressive American Flat Track Mission SuperTwins class. After four successful years with the Yamaha MT-07 in the Mission Production Twins class, including two championship-winning seasons, G&G Racing is pleased to return to the premier class for 2023, with Carlile. Also, G&G Racing is happy to continue their partnership with Yamaha Racing for 2023 making this their eighth season together.
G&G Racing would like to thank our sponsors who help make this happen: Yamaha Racing, Yamalube, bLU cRU, JMR, Twisted Development, Graves Sports, AIM, Fontana Radiators, Metalartopia, Motion Pro, Race Tech, Rosa Plates, Mission Foods and Roof Systems of Dallas.
Jim Roach – Yamaha Racing Department Manager for YMUS
“Yamaha Racing is excited that the G&G Racing Team is making the transition from the Mission Production Twins class to the Mission SuperTwins class. Having won two Production Twins Championships, it is now time to take the next step. The addition of Kolby Carlile, a Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Champion who won his Singles Championship on a Yamaha, will allow the team to continue to battle for Championships. Yamaha Racing is looking forward to the start of the racing season!”
L.J. Gronek - G&G Racing Team Owner
“We are excited to welcome Kolby to the team and look forward to a fun and competitive year. Kolby still has the fire and desire to win races, plus has experience with the Yamaha MT-07. Also, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Yamaha Racing.”
Kolby Carlile – G&G Racing
“I am so exhilarated to team up with G&G racing going into my tenth season as a professional racer. I have spent a lot of time battling with these bikes since 2019, so I know what they are capable of. We were able to do a test in California, and I liked the bikes as well as working with LJ and John (Gronek). I have vast experience with the Yamaha MT-07, and that is going to translate into this year. The guys at G&G are very relaxed and give me a fun, no-pressure atmosphere which will allow me to excel at my job.
“My career hasn’t been the easiest the past few years injury-wise, but I am putting all my attention into taking care of my body and doing all I can to be the best racer I can be this year. I can’t wait to get things going in March.”
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Robinson, Beach Split Victories at Dramatic Cedar Lake Short Track
Kopp Locks Up 2022 Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Title
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 25, 2022) – Sunday’s inaugural Drag Specialties Cedar Lake Short Track at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin, received plenty of advance billing as a monumentally important round in determining this year’s American Flat Track championships. It certainly lived up to the hype.
With all eyes focused on the four primary SuperTwins title contenders, fifth-ranked Brandon Robinson stole the spotlight early with a heroic performance in the first of the day’s two premier-class tilts.
Despite starting from pole, Robinson was immediately swallowed up by both JD Beach and Briar Bauman as they rushed into the race’s opening corner.
However, a couple short minutes later, Robinson saw a path for the lead presented when Bauman pushed up the inside of Beach and both riders went high. Things got even dicier after Jared Mees shot for the same gap, nudging into Robinson, who then pinballed into Bauman in turn.
Everyone escaped the fray relatively unscathed – save Robinson – who found himself with no brakes following the contact. Unexpectedly, that seeming misfortune only further unlocked the Mission Roof System’s rider’s form, who transformed the potential pitfall into an unstoppable pace.
He explained, “When Briar made the aggressive pass on JD and the door kind of opened, I got a little shove from behind from Mees into Briar, and I broke my brake pedal right off. I had no brakes from like lap 3. I was just rolling. I was scared to death for the first few laps, but after I figured it out I realized I could carry some good corner speed… That was the most insane race I’ve ever done in my entire life. Awesome!”
Mees and Beach later worked past Bauman to round out the podium behind Robinson. Behind, Dallas Daniels overcame the respective challenges of Jeffrey Carver Jr. and Jarod Vanderkooi to complete the top five.
As thrilling as the first Mission SuperTwins Main Event may have been, the real fireworks were reserved for the second. The same names resumed their fight for the lead and things were racy from the green light.
Bauman made quick work of Beach to claim the lead. Mees pushed Beach up the track in his attempt to keep pace with Bauman, which then opened the door for Robinson to power past both.
Mees later pulled the same move on Robinson, which allowed Beach to glide back past both and back into second – albeit temporarily as Mees quickly reclaimed the position.
A red flag bunched the pack back up and set the stage for the day’s biggest drama. First, Mees went around the outside of Bauman to steal away the lead off the start. Bauman attempted to counter with an inside strike. In doing so, he made contact with Mees, sending the reigning champion into the dirt, which brought out a second red flag.
Both riders were assessed to have caused the stoppage and were therefore forced to start from the back. Beach took maximum advantage of the situation, edging Robinson for the win.
Daniels, meanwhile, also capitalized in a major way by coming home in third just ahead of Vanderkooi and fifth-place finisher Bronson Bauman.
Mees managed to claw his way up from 14th to eighth, while Bauman faded from his charge and ended up out of the race and credited with 16th.
Mees will now head to the season-ending doubleheader with a 16-point lead over Daniels (261-245). Beach moves up to third, another two points back (243), while Bauman has dropped all the way from second to fourth, some 22 points out of first. Robinson remains mathematically alive as well following his big day, as he sits 49 points back of Mees in fifth (212).
Beach said, “It’s getting close to the end of the season, and I know everyone wants to race hard… It was definitely a tough race, and we definitely made up some points, but I hate for it to happen like that. We’ve still got two more rounds to go and our bike just seems like it keeps getting better and better. We picked up another win, and we’ll just keep working.”
Production Twins
Defending Production Twins champion Cory Texter came through in the clutch to secure his fourth win of the season while breathing new life into his once fading title defense hopes.
Riding with an edge, Texter made a pair of slick passes early on to fight past Cameron Smith and points leader Jesse Janisch.
The two title rivals then battled at the head of a six-rider lead pack before a red flag momentarily stopped the intense action with just over a minute remaining.
Janisch made an outside challenge on Texter off the staggered restart. But after his bid fell short, he found himself overtaken by both Dan Bromley and Smith.
Janisch managed to recover in time to earn himself a spot on the podium behind Texter and Bromley. However, his third-place finish was exactly what Texter needed as the two-time class champion once again has control over his own destiny.
Texter closed back to within nine points of Janisch (284-275), setting up a potential winner-take-all doubleheader at Volusia Speedway Park.
“What a dicey Main Event!” Texter said. “I just wanted to give this a go. When they added a second round at Volusia, it was an opportunity for me. We’ll take it, but Jesse is riding so good that even when he’s off, he finds a way to lead laps and get in the mix.
“We’ve got two more… I’m just going to enjoy it. These wins are hard to come by. I’m super thankful it’s coming down to these last two races. Win or lose, racing is what I do, it’s not who I am, so at the end of the day, it’s a good day.”
Smith finished fourth with Bromley’s teammate, Cole Zabala, rounding out the top five.
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Epic 2022 Progressive AFT Season to Conclude with Twin Doubleheaders
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 9, 2022) – American Flat Track announced today the expansion of the final two race weekends of the season to conclude the 2022 campaign in epic double-doubleheader fashion.
The inaugural Drag Specialties Cedar Lake Short Track will feature a unique twist on the doubleheader format, fitting two full points- and purse-paying SuperTwins into a single evening on Saturday, September 24 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin.
Following the conclusion of Opening Ceremonies, SuperTwins will kick off the Main Event program with Round 15 of the premier-class championship. Later that evening, the SuperTwins competitors will return to the track, joined by the participating Production Twins Challenge entrants, to cap off the day’s activities with Round 16.
Flag-to-flag coverage of both SuperTwins Main Events will feature in the one-hour FS1 broadcast of the Cedar Lake Short Track scheduled to premiere on Sunday, October 2, at 10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT.
The Volusia Half-Mile Finale presented by Daytona Dodge at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida, will then conclude the 2022 season with a conventional two-day doubleheader, featuring Round 17 on Friday, October 14, and Round 18 on Saturday, October 15. The weekend will also represent the final two-thirds of the Progressive Triple Crown, which will pay the SuperTwins rider who collects the most combined points across the Laconia Short Track and twin finale a $25,000 prize.
The additions to the year-end slate further raise the stakes for what was already destined to be a thrilling conclusion to a historic season. With four Mission SuperTwins title fighters representing two different manufacturers separated by just 29 points and 100 points still up for grabs, this year’s championship battle remains far too close to predict.
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