Young Riders Gunning For American Flat Track
May is always exciting here in California as the American Flat Track series makes its West Coast swing. The best California talent mixes with the rest of the country to find the best line and dominate the groove. After the AFT race down south in Ventura, California, the bikes were loaded up, and everyone came north for three days of racing action. The first stop for some AFT riders was our local track in Lodi, just south of Sacramento. Traditionally, a race was always held by the club the night before the Sacramento Mile. Now that the Sacramento Mile is gone, the club hosts “The Night Before”, but it’s held on Thursday evening. Cory Texter Productions ran his CTR Showcase at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, two hours north of Sacramento on Friday, and the AFT Pros roared around the speedway’s banked, clay, sprint car track on Saturday evening. The racing did not disappoint flat track fans!
This 2026 season, AFT has launched a new program to encourage and inspire young amateur flat trackers to look ahead to becoming professionals. “The Road to AFT” consists of seven races, the first of which was held on March 4th at Daytona Beach, FL. A partnership with CTR (Cory Texter Racing) showcases the seven events and young 450cc riders must qualify at a showcase event the day before the AFT race, to run the event, the next day. The young riders are given guidance on completing tech before and after races. Each rear wheel is taken off and weighed and must be 34 lbs. or less. Dismounting the wheel after a competitive race is exhausting. Tech photographs each bike and then riders are given permission to remove the wheel for inspection.
#84 Braxton Ragan leading #227 Monty Pedrey at Silver Dollar Speedway. Nickless Photos.
As with most all forms of racing, the support of extended family and friends to provide moral, technical, and monetary support is necessary for riders to compete at the highest level. Racing together three days in a row is challenging, but the down times in the pit area can be just as fun. Most of the Road to AFT riders began riding at a very young age and have quite a bit of experience. Many know each other from the club level and socialize with each other at the track. We have been taking photos of several riders for the past 4-5 years. One of the riders we sponsor at Lodi, Ethan Salmon #64, joined this new group of focused athletes as he progresses in his career aspirations to become a professional AFT rider.
#64 Ethan Salmon from Lodi Motorcycle Club. Nickless Photos.
Geoff and I met Paige Keck #81, currently the only young lady in the group, at The Night Before race in Lodi. She can be seen in the pit area carrying tires for her bike from the Dunlop tent and other rider duties to help her team. Unique to this series is that “Road to AFT” racers ride the same track conditions as the pros on the same day. This helps them develop the necessary skills and gain experience in trying to find the competitive line.
#81 Paige Keck. Nickless Photos.
One of the current top five riders is Adam Costan-Wood, #88. Adam is challenging a seasoned Lodi racer running second in the top five, #17 Jett Katarzy, who most recently won the Road to AFT event in Ventura, California.
#88 Adam Costan-Wood. Nickless Photos.
#32 Beckem Daniels, the younger brother of Mission AFT SuperTwins rider National Champion Dallas Daniels, is gaining experience along with #7 Sam Drane, younger brother of Kicker AFT ProSport 450 National Champion Tom Drane, who is currently out with a hand injury.
#32 Beckem Daniels Nickless Photos.
Keep an eye out for these young and talented riders as May 22 will host eastern talent at Williams Grove Speedway in Pennsylvania. The last CTR Showcase event will take place June 5th at Tennessee National Raceway. We hope to see the Road to AFT and Cory Texter Racing partnership continue next season, with more riders gaining experience to ride successfully and keep the Flat Track sport alive.
Top Featured Photo: #45 Colton Shafer leading #32 Beckem Daniels and #88 Adam Costan-Wood, exiting Turn 3 of the high bank into Turn 4. Nickless Photos.
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