By Allison Parker

Photo by Tim Lester

PROGRESSIVE AMERICAN FLAT Track had a historic 2023 season , especially for Indian Motorcycle factory racer Jared Mees , who claimed his third consecutive Grand National Championship at the Springfield Mile double- header finale over Labor Day weekend . With a total of nine career Grand National Championships , Mees is now tied with the legendary Scott Parker for most of all time . Indian Motorcycle and the FTR750 share in Mees ’ success with a seventh consecutive AFT Super- Twins championship .

“ It ’ s what you wake up for every day ,” said Mees . “ It ’ s what you train for . Hats off to Scottie Parker – that ’ s the guy that keeps me going . He kept me going year after year , race after race . He ’ s still the best in my book , and it ’ s an honor to match something that he did .”

The season started out with strong performances by Estenson Racing ’ s Dallas Daniels , who won the first two races of 2023 and held on to the points lead for two- thirds of the season . When Mees won the Orange County Half- Mile , the same race in

Jared Mees celebrates with his Indian Motorcycle crew after winning his ninth American Flat Track championship at the Springfield Mile . Standing on Mees ’ right is crew chief Kenny Tolbert , who earned AFT ’ s Tuner of the Year honors . which he surpassed Scott Parker for most Half- Mile wins in Grand National Championship history , Mees and Daniels began a multi- race battle for the top spot in the standings . Heading into the weekend finale , Mees led by only one point .

In Springfield Mile I , Mees outraced his former teammate Briar Bauman to the checkered flag by 0.340 second , widening his points gap over Daniels , who finished in fifth place , while Brandon Robinson finished a distant third . That gave Mees a comfortable 11- point advantage over his season- long rival heading into Sunday ’ s finale .

“ It was the most technical Springfield Mile I ’ ve ever raced ,” Mees said after claiming his ninth victory of the year . “ There wasn ’ t much grip out there , and you really had to let the motorcycle hook up .”

In Springfield Mile II , Mees was just edged for the win by Briar Bauman , who took the checkered flag with a narrow 0.075- second margin of victory , with Davis Fisher rounding out the podium just 0.24 second ahead of Daniels , thwarting the Yamaha rider from what would have been his 16th podium finish of the year .

“ Since our return to professional flat- track racing in 2017 ,” said Gary Gray , Indian ’ s vice president of racing , service , and technology , “ there has been no greater pairing in the sport than Jared Mees and the Indian FTR750 . There ’ s no questioning Jared ’ s drive and dedication , as he ’ s truly one of the hardest working athletes in the paddock , and jumping on an FTR750 proved to be a major unlock in his career , as he ’ s captured five of his nine career titles aboard that bike .”

The 2023 AFT season ended with Mees holding 388 points , Daniels with 372 , JD Beach with 301 , Bauman with 299 , and Fisher with 257 .

It ’ s been a thrilling season of AFT racing , and we congratulate Jared Mees and Indian Motorcycle for yet another Grand National Championship ! For more details and racing coverage , visit AmericanRider . com .

8 | OCTOBER 2023 | AMERICANRIDER . COM