After a year-long absence from TT racing, the AFT has brought it back through a brand new event (the Atlanta Super TT). Hosted at Atlanta Motorspeedway, a track most known for holding its yearly NASCAR event. For the previous four seasons, the AFT held the Atlanta Short Track race at Dixie Speedway.
Looking at the track specs for Atlanta Motorspeedway, it is a 1.5 mile, quad-oval track. And similar to the Daytona TT contains a custom-designed multi-surface racetrack. It will make use of the tri-oval asphalt straightaway. Setup for extra overtaking opportunities, this event should offer plenty of action.
Unique Challenge
Given how much of a unique challenge this course is expected to be, it was expected you would get some heavyweight entrants. Including a seasoned TT rider, like Ryan Sipes. A two-time winner of the Buffalo Chip TT, Sipes is also the only American to win the International Six-Days Enduro.
Also on that list is 11 time X Games champion and all-around Motorsport specialist Travis Pastrana. In 2018, he honored the late great Evel Knievel by successfully converting on three jumping challenges, including the Caesars Palace fountain. Despite such a fulfilled race career at 37, Pastrana is still without a flat track win.
He will be running the #199 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F on Saturday. After being a long-time Suzuki rider, he decides to make the switch over to KTM. Due in part to the lack of two-stroke Suzuki-supported bikes.
“The Atlanta Super TT at Atlanta Motor Speedway takes Progressive AFT to the next level,” said Michael Lock, CEO of Progressive AFT. “Having Travis Pastrana, one of the all-time greats, come and test his mettle against our Progressive AFT athletes creates a mouthwatering spectacle for the fans. We can’t wait!”
Following the title loss last season to Briar Bauman, Jared Mees is still hunting for his first AFT SuperTwins title. Mees currently nurses a three-point lead over second-place rider Brandon Robinson for tops among the race leaderboard. Outside of a 17th place finish in the opener at the Daytona, Mees performed well at the TT meets in 2019. Expect Mees to put on a good show this Saturday as he looks to keep pace.
Singles
Shayna Texter could be in a lot of trouble this weekend. Keep in mind that during the 2019 season, Texter failed to qualify for any of the five TT events. Having already won the first two races in Volusia this season, a failure to qualify this weekend could be disastrous for her point advantage.
Consider, second place rider Mikey Rush who held his own during those same TT events. Among his five attempts, Rush racked up two fourth-place attempts to go along with a runner-up result. Only 13 points shy of Texter currently, he must smell blood in the water.
We will also have the appearance of 17-year-old race prodigy Dallas Daniels. Daniels has begun the season strongly, securing both second and fourth-place finishes, respectively. Having come off a dominating performance at Peoria in 2019, he has some relatively recent success at the TT events. Daniels will be double-dipping this week, also entering the Production twins.
The Atlanta Super TT is Saturday, May 1. Opening Ceremonies at 7 p.m. EDT. Main Events kick off at 8:45 p.m. EDT.
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