No one won bigger in Saturday night’s Indian Motorcycle Lima Half-Mile Presented By Johnny K’s Indian powered by Drag Specialties than defending defending multi-time Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) — other than, perhaps, Lima Half-Mile race promoter Jared Mees.

The AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines Main Event at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, was arguably the most thrilling of the 2019 American Flat Track season and one with massive championship implications — both factors working decidedly in Mees’ favor.

The opening several laps featured an intense head-to-head showdown that pit Mees up against championship leader Briar Bauman (No. 14 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750). That duel was cut short by a red flag on lap 7, which altered the complexion of the Main dramatically.

Mees got a stellar jump at the restart, while Bauman was sucked into a battle for second with Jeffrey Carver Jr.(No. 23 Roof-Systems of Dallas/Indian of Metro Milwaukee FTR750), Henry Wiles (No. 17 Bandit Industries/DPC Racing/Wilco Racing Indian FTR750), and rookie Brandon Price (No 192 Roof Systems of Dallas TX/DPC Racing Indian FTR750). 

Bauman’s luck only got worse from there, as his rear tire came clean off the rim on lap 10. That unusual mishap put an end to his perfect season’s podium streak while instantly eliminating the bulk of his hard-earned championship padding.

Following Bauman’s exit, Carver ate up the gap to Mees, and the two then engaged in their own wild shootout for the lead. Running divergent lines, Mees and Carver proceeded to trade the position back and forth multiple times per corner for several laps in succession. That titanic battle allowed Wiles to close in over the final several laps, setting up a three-way struggle on the final lap.

Carver attempted to square up the final turn but Mees powered neatly around the outside line, beating his opponent to the checkered flag by 0.199 seconds. Wiles came home third another 0.668 seconds in arrears.

Combined with Briar Bauman’s DNF and Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Kennedy Racing/Armbruster Racing Indian FTR750) failing to make the Main one event after cashing in his only provisional start of the season, Mees’ triumph elevated him to second in the standings, a mere 13 points back of Bauman (145-132).

After the epic race, Mees said, “When you’re battling up in the cushion like that, it wears you out twice as fast. You’re wrestling the bike, and the bike’s jumping around. Hats off to Jeffrey; I work out so hard, and I didn’t have nothing left — I was done. I just want to give a big shout out to Jeffrey [Carver, Jr.] and Henry [Wiles] for a hellacious, awesome race.”

While Price faded late after looking in contention for the podium at mid-distance, he still went on to score what’s easily his best premier-class result to date by finishing an impressive fourth.

Laconia ST winner Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) put together another solid outing to round out the top five.

Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys

For the second consecutive year at the Allen County Fairgrounds, Shayna Texter (No. 52 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing SX-F 450) was simply unstoppable in the Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys Main Event.

After dominating the program in the lead-up to the Main, Texter found herself shuffled down to fourth as she fishtailed off the line. Undeterred, Texter put on a flat track masterclass as she propelled her way forward.

She dispatched of Dalton Gauthier (No. 122 D&D Cycles/Gobert Smash Husqvarna FC450) almost immediately, and then erased the gap separating her from the fight for the lead being waged by Chad Cose (No. 49 Parkinson Bros Racing/Ritchie Reynolds Racing Honda CRF450R) and Dan Bromley (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F).

She was barely slowed by their battle, powering around the outside of Bromley on lap 5 and then diving up the inside of Cose a lap later. She cleared off from there, ultimately winning with 2.570 seconds in hand.

“My Red Bull KTM backed by Roof Systems motorcycle was just working so good,” Texter said. “I couldn’t figure out how I won this race last year. I sat around for 365 days and thought, ‘Man, how did I win Lima?’ So, to win it twice is incredible. It’s a dream come true.”

Defending champion Bromley worked past Cose as well to give the factory Red Bull KTM squad a 1-2 finish.

Cose did manage to fend off a late charge from title leader Mikey Rush (No. 15 RMR Honda/Red Riders Rewards Honda CRF450R) by 0.222 seconds at the flag to lock down the final spot on the podium.

‘16 class champ Ryan Wells (No. 94 Estensen Racing Yamaha YZ450F) was another 0.183 seconds behind Rush in fifth, while second-ranked Gauthier ultimately finished in sixth.

AFT Production Twins

Chad Cose (No. 49 Parkinson Bros Racing/Ritchie Reynolds Kawasaki Ninja 650) earned his first-career American Flat Track victory following a race-long scrap with runaway AFT Production Twins title leader Cory Texter (No. 65 G&G Racing/Holeshot Powersports Yamaha MT-07).

Texter entered Lima with a perfect three-for-three wins record on the season and threatened to make it four-for-four by storming to the holeshot and opening an immediate gap.

However, Cose exploited the high line to perfection for the short time it existed and managed to steal away the lead while the contest was still in its early stages.

Texter reclaimed the advantage for a single straight at mid-distance, but Cose pounced in the very next corner to counter. Texter then hounded his rival to the flag but was never able to find another hole in Cose’s defense.

Cose’s maiden win comes after more than a decade on the scene and after finishing the 2018 season ranked sixth overall in the premier AFT Twins class with a podium to his name.

He said, “I’m so happy for my team. It feels good for me, and I knew I was capable all along. But it’s tough. Nobody sees the behind-the-scenes stuff and everything like that. I’m so happy for my team — they work so hard for me.”

James Rispoli (No. 71 Black Hills Harley-Davidson ProBEAM XG750R Rev X) also scored his best finish of the season in third. The highly-decorated roadracer made it clear that he hasn’t lost his touch on the dirt, charging up several positions after getting a poor start to round out the podium.

Be sure to catch the feature broadcast of the Indian Motorcycle Lima Half-Mile Presented By Johnny K’s Indian on NBCSN with flag-to-flag coverage of the Main Events, enhanced by exclusive features and cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage. The premiere telecast is scheduled for Saturday, July 6, at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT and will re-air on Monday, July 8, at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT.

Next Up:

The 2019 American Flat Track season will resume in two weeks when the series arrives at Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, N.Y., for the New York Short Track on Saturday, July 13. As always, live coverage will be available all day long courtesy of FansChoice.tv. Tickets are on sale at www.americanflattrack.com.

For more information on American Flat Track visit www.americanflattrack.com.

To get the latest American Flat Track clothing and merchandise visit www.americanflattracker.com.

(Story and photo from AmericanFlatTrack.com)