How to Watch & What to Watch: Springfield Mile I & II presented by Drag Specialties

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – August 31, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Complete coverage of this weekend’s Springfield Mile I & II presented by Drag Specialties at the Illinois State Fairgrounds will kick off on both Saturday and Sunday with the day’s first practice session at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT). Sign up now and catch every second of the year’s on-track action at http://flosports.link/2024aft.

FOX Sports coverage of the Springfield Mile I & II presented by Drag Specialties, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, September 8. The Springfield Mile I will air at 7:00 a.m. ET (4:00 a.m. PT) with the Springfield Mile II scheduled for 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT).

Event Rewind: Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT Main Event Highlights

It’s On!

Barely over a month ago, Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) held a 19-point advantage in the Mission AFT SuperTwins points race on the strength of a perfect podium record. At that point, he had shown no signs of slowing down while laying the groundwork for a maiden premier-class crown.

A training accident then altered the shape of the season.

The wake of Daniels’ misfortune doubled as a clear pathway for Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750), whose quest for an unprecedented tenth Grand National Championship had served as the backdrop of the entire 2024 Progressive American Flat Track campaign pretty much from the moment he clinched his ninth in Springfield less than a year ago.

Seemingly poised to secure a place atop the dirt track equivalent of Mount Olympus as early as this weekend, his disqualification from the Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT altered the shape of the season yet again.

So now we have three riders – Mees, Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) – each with control over their own championship destiny and set to clash for supremacy over three races across two race weekends.

Whatever way it plays out, we are guaranteed an outcome of heightened consequence; no matter who wins, it will alter the shape of the sport’s history.

The Contenders

Jared Mees

Even with his Sturgis setback, Mees retains the points lead and has the greatest margin for error (albeit razor thin). He needs just less than perfection in a situation where…