Indian Motorcycle, Already 3-0 To Start 2018 AFT Season, Looks to First Mile Race of the Year at Arizona

Indian Motorcycle has started the 2018 American Flat Track season where it left off in 2017: with three wins in the first three races. And while its ‘Wrecking Crew’ factory team of Jared Mees, Bryan Smith and Brad Baker may not have quite the dominance of last season despite Jared Mees’ two wins in three races, Indian-mounted privateers are certainly picking up the slack, as Kenny Coolbeth Jr. proved when he took the win at the controversial Atlanta round after Mees’ disqualification.

Runner-up spots in each of the three races have gone to other brands, including JD Beach and Yamaha at Daytona, Jeffrey Carver Jr. on his Harley-Davidson XR750 at Atlanta, and Briar Bauman and Kawasaki’s 650 Ninja in Texas last weekend.

The first Mile race of the year at the Law Tigers American Flat Track Arizona Mile presented by Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson on Saturday, May 12 gives riders a chance to measure their performance against each other to see who has gone the extra mile in the off-season. At last year’s Arizona Mile, Indian’s Bryan Smith beat teammate Brad Baker to the line in a thrilling photo finish, with Indian Scout FTR750-mounted Jared Mees third. Harley-Davidson, with a revamped factory team for 2018, has factory riders Sammy Halbert, Brandon Robinson and up-and-coming sensation Jarod Vanderkooi ready to battle their long-time rival Indian.

In an equally thrilling finish in the AFT Singles class at last year’s Arizona Mile, Shayna Texter beat Tristan Avery by a wheel, the crowd on its feet for the entire race in what went down as one of the best AFT Singles races ever. This year, Brandon Price of White Hall, MD, is bringing his AFT Singles point lead into the Arizona Mile with Texter looking to repeat at a race track she finds plenty challenging and entertaining.

Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson Named Presenting Sponsor of the 2018 Law Tigers American Flat Track Arizona Mile

Phoenix's own Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson has been named the presenting sponsor of the 2018 Law Tigers American Flat Track Arizona Mile presented by Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson set for Saturday, May 12 at Turf Paradise in Phoenix.

The Arizona Mile is the fifth stop on the American Flat Track National Championship tour, which features some of the best motorcycle riders in the world on several of the most iconic brands in the industry. Harley-Davidson, Indian, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, Husqvarna, KTM, Ducati and others will compete head-to-head and handlebar-to-handlebar at speeds of 135 mph at this spectacular venue.

"We are excited and honored to have Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson as a part of the event once again, and pleased they've become our presenting sponsor," said race co-promoter Chris Morgan. "Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson has been there since the start with our first race in 2016, and they play a key role in helping to promote the Arizona Mile".

Throwback Party Announced during the 2018 Law Tigers American Flat Track Arizona Mile presented by Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson, Saturday, May 12, 2018

As if the American Flat Track racing on the mile track at the 2018 Arizona Mile weren’t exciting enough, this year’s event will feature a 70s/’80s Throwback theme. Break out your best Evel Knievel t-shirt, dress up in 70s/80s costume and boogie to a live 80s band at the Throwback Party which will take place at the Throwback Pavilion on the eastside of the main grandstand at this year’s race at Turf Paradise. In addition to the Throwback Party which includes 70s and 80s costume contests with prizes, a vintage motorcycle show featuring some of the most unique bikes of the era will take place in the pavilion. Everyone in attendance at the race is welcome. So go get your costume together and we look forward to seeing you at the Throwback Party at this year’s race on Saturday May 12 at Turf Paradise. Lots of ticket options from general admission to VIP are available for this year’s event.