2024 Progressive AFT Season Recap: Historical Success for Mees and Kopp Leads Into Silly Season

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DAYTONA BEACH, CA – October 1, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) –

Making The Case

Now that the résumés have been finalized, the debate can begin in earnest. And that debate, of course, is in regards to the rightful ownership of the title as the G.O.A.T., i.e.. Greatest of All Time, i.e.:

Jared Mees vs. Scott Parker

First, let’s get the disclaimer out of the way: Yeah, yeah, we know the debate is one that is impossible to settle definitively. It’s one that is as subjective as it is objective – you can’t merely stack statistics and make a proclamation. There are endless variables that prevent an inarguable determination, ranging from the differences in eras, machinery, opposition, venues, styles, longevity, etc.

That said, the debate will still rage. And we will relish and delight in it.

Disclaimer, pt. II: Mees and Parker are not the only worthy candidates with a claim. Some may instead place their support behind any number of other legends, including the esteemed likes of Chris Carr, Ricky Graham, Bubba Shobert, Kenny Roberts, Dick Mann, Carroll Resweber, Joe Leonard and so on.

But the vast majority of these debates will invariably center around Mees vs Parker, so that’s the match-up we’ll focus on for this exercise.

This mythical GOAT crown has largely rested on the head of Parker, replacing his helmet pretty much from the moment of his retirement, if not earlier. And if you ask Jared Mees, he’ll likely tell you that Parker remains the GOAT.

But at least for argument’s (and entertainment’s) sake, we’ll make the case for Mees in the wake of his historic achievement.

The case in support of Mees’ claim over Parker begins with a 1 and ends with a 0. Mees now stands above all, Parker included, in terms of Grand National Championships, a number he alone has elevated to double digits.

And while Parker still leads the career rankings in terms of premier-class Main Event victories – and by a fair margin – that’s completely down to his Mile exploits.

The Grand National Championship exists to recognize and reward all-around flat track excellence. And if you break the comparison down into the sport’s four disciplines, Mees’ case becomes that much stronger.

Parker is the Mile GOAT, no doubt. But Mees is no Mile slouch, ranking second in the category in terms of all-time race wins.

In Half-Miles, Mees ranks first all-time with Parker second.

In Short Tracks, Mees holds a…