MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — History is being rewritten on a per race basis as the KICKER AFT Singles championship arrives for the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile.
Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) will be in the spotlight once again as Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, makes its long-awaited return to Williams Grove Speedway this Saturday, July 11.
With each successive triumph, Drane not only separates himself from the 2026 field of title hopefuls, he puts himself more and more in direct conflict with the class’ all-time greats.
With six races remaining on the season slate, Drane already has a strong claim as the most decorated rider in KICKER AFT Singles history. In fact, only luminaries Kody Kopp and Dallas Daniels can muster any sort of argument to the contrary.
While the numbers generally slant in the direction of Kopp and Drane, Daniels’ candidacy is buoyed in part by the fact that he participated in just 40 KICKER AFT Singles races compared with 69 for Kopp and 61 (and counting) for Drane.
Of course, the real battle won’t transpire until he graduates to the Grand National Championship, where Kopp and Daniels are currently ranked first and second in this year’s title fight.
Throughout Drane’s KICKER AFT Singles career, Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) has served as his primary rival and foil.
Saathoff’s stats have suffered as a result of the large shadow cast by Drane’s historic greatness. If not for Drane, Saathoff would likely be the one making a run at the record books.
In fact, already this season, Saathoff has finished second to Drane on four occasions – the latest by 0.088 seconds – as he continues to hunt his first win of ‘26.
In an attempt to turn the tide, Saathoff has ridden for three different teams on two different makes of equipment and done so under the tutelage of some of the most accomplished and experienced figures in the paddock, including ten-time Grand National Champion Jares Mees.
While he’s yet to fully crack the code, this experience should bode him well in his own premier-class future, as he continues to learn to adapt and interpret the advice of a number of sources.
And even if masked by Drane (again), Saathoff has things rolling pretty well at the moment. He comes into Williams Grove riding an active six-race podium streak, which ties him for the ninth longest in class history.
In recent weeks, Bodie Paige (No. 165 RWR/American Honda/BWR Ranch Honda CRF450R) burst onto the scene in sensational fashion, notching up podium finishes in each of his three Progressive American Flat Track rides.
While he looks to have the makings of a bonafide star, the young Australian won’t be racing the weekend. That creates a bit of space for others to emerge from the pack.
Teammates Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and
Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) have impressed mightily on multiple occasions this season, although they’ll be looking to recapture that fire after coming up short of the podium the last couple times out.
The ever-present Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Texas Utility Studies/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) continues to seek his first career victory, while Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Honda CRF450R) is in need of a big weekend after enduring something of a rough patch of late.
All four are big league talents with plenty of motivation. They’re arguably the most likely to step forward and make a run for the checkers this weekend, but here are two more to consider…
Pennsylvanians Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F) and Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Eisenhard Racing/Pags Powersports KTM 450 SX-F) will look to use this weekend’s home race as an opportunity to make a big impression.
Both riders came out swinging in ‘26. Eisenhard was one of the heroes of the DAYTONA opener, where he threw down the fastest lap in qualifying, won his heat, and scored a top-five result in the Main.
Pfanders took his turn in the spotlight the following day, breaking through to claim his maiden Progressive AFT victory.
While both have struggled to match that season-opening form, Pfanders in particular has come on as of late, stringing together a pair of top fives his last two times out.
Eisenhard looked capable of pushing for the top five as well, qualifying on the front row of his heat race, but bike issues prevented him from taking part this past Sunday. He’ll now attempt to translate that speed into a maiden podium with his home fans cheering him on this weekend.
