Daniels Dominates, Kopp Makes History at Orange County Half-Mile

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – June 16, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) was precise to the point of perfection in Saturday night’s blowout win of the Orange County Half-Mile, Round 7 of the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.

While slippery conditions and continually altering lines at Middletown, New York’s Orange County Fair Speedway kept the world’s elite motorcycle dirt track racers guessing all day long, Mission AFT SuperTwins championship leader Daniels was composed and in control throughout.

After sitting atop the leaderboard in practice and qualifying, and then winning his heat and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, Daniels merely needed to get off the line clean and then do his thing in the Main. Once he did, the end result was a drama-free 5.293-second margin of victory.

Daniels’ second triumph of the season also saw him build upon his Grand National Championship advantage on a what was by contrast a frustratingly off day for nine-time champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750), who was forced to rally just to finish inside the top five.

Daniels, who now leads the championship chase 149-133 over Mees, said, “To come here and do what we did all day… These are the days you dream of. It was one of those days when you’re just on, and you feel it no matter what. Man, we’ve been working behind the scenes, and it’s starting to pay off. We put on a clinic, and it feels good. The Estenson Racing Monster Energy Yamaha motorcycle is handling so good. Just a big thanks to everyone. What a day… What a day.”

While Mees battled his way forward from outside the top ten, Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) got away in second and was the only rider who managed to catch even a fleeting glimpse of Daniels’ immediate escape.

While unsuccessful in his bid to keep pace, the effort to do so catapulted Bauman into the clear himself where he ultimately took second with more than four seconds to spare.

Meanwhile, third place had major ‘Cinderella story’ potential with Billy Ross (No. 29 Mission Foods/Digitale Kawasaki Ninja 650) desperate to fend off Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) in search of a first career premier-class podium in what was his ‘24 debut after suffering an injury shortly before the season opener.

However, that Cinderella story was…