HOHENWALD, Tenn. — Briar Bauman (No. 3 Super.com/RWR Harley-Davidson XG750R) extended his run of dominance by claiming a fourth successive Mission AFT SuperTwins victory at the inaugural Caterpillar Nashville Short Track presented by Memphis Shades.
All day long, the Sons of Speed Nashville Short Track provided a racy surface, allowing riders to select from a wide variety of lines while encouraging creative overtakes and close racing at that front. But that trend proved no match for Bauman’s outright superiority.
The Rick Ware Racing ace slipped under Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) on the opening lap of the Main and then sprinted hard to stretch open a gap. Points leader Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) immediately moved into second and tried at least as hard to keep Bauman locked in his sights.
Perhaps too hard, as it turned out. Kopp chattered and wheelied his way around in second while riding desperate to stop the bleeding. That allowed Bauman to gradually work his advantage up, and he built a lead of more than three seconds before easing his way to a 2.689-second margin of victory over Kopp in the end.
It was a controlled, confident performance from Bauman throughout – at least until the final corner in which he suffered a real scare before taking the checkered flag.
“I didn’t know how much of a gap I had on Kody,” Bauman said, explaining his last-lap mishap. “I looked back about halfway and saw we had a little bit of breathing room. But I’m like, ‘Man, he’s probably here… He always charges hard.’ I hit a hole and almost went over the bars!
“But no matter what, this Rick Ware Racing/Super.com team… I just love it. We’re probably in the honeymoon stage right now, but we were seeing couples counseling after Daytona. We’re super proud. I can’t thank them enough. It’s just a team effort.”
Third place went to Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07). The result comes as little surprise when considering the reigning Grand National Champion’s historical podium success rate.
However, it seemed highly unlikely early in the contest when he was buried in sixth and under threat from the pack behind him.
Daniels maintained his composure and patiently picked his way forward, finally passing Bender for third with a minute remaining on the clock.
Despite losing out on his shot at the box, the fourth was a major uptick in form for Bender, who had yet to finish better than 10th this season. Behind him, Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust Advisors Harley-Davidson XG750R) made it three Harley-Davidson XG750R in the top five in fifth.
Estenson Racing Yamaha’s Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) responded like the defending KICKER AFT Singles champion that he is, bouncing back from a season’s worst finish of fifth with his third victory of the season.
Saturday’s victory came following a tense, defensive ride on the Australian’s part. Drane fought his way past second-ranked Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) on the opening lap and then spent the bulk of the race doing everything possible to keep Tadman at bay despite the Honda pilot having the edge in pace.
Their showdown became a three-way tilt at half-distance when Tadman’s teammate, Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), joined the party. Like Tadman, Porter had the high line working and appeared capable of hauling into the lead at any moment.
But a significant mistake on Porter’s part removed him from victory contention while breaking Tadman’s concentration. That allowed Drane the space he needed to settle in and power to the checkered flag.
Porter made an equally significant save to stay upright. When back at speed, he found himself alongside polesitter Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R), title hopeful Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), and rookie ace Jack Brucks (No. 113 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) in a fight for the final spot on the podium.
That battle wasn’t decided until the final lap, when Saathoff charged his way up into third. Santero secured fourth, while Porter narrowly missed out on his maiden top three yet again in fifth.
Estenson Racing prodigy Sam Drane (No. 7 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) returned to AFT ProSport 450 action after missing the previous three rounds and picked up right where he left off.
Drane, who was victorious in the new class’ first two Main Events, made his way back to the top of the podium but only following a spirited scrap with Silver Dollar ST winner Adam Costan-Wood (No. 88 Turner Racing Honda CRF450R).
After Drane successfully got the holeshot from pole, there were justifiable fears that he’d run away with it as he’d done in Friday’s AMA-sanctioned Mission Foods CTR Showcase race and Saturday afternoon’s Heat Race.
However, Costan-Wood had other plans. He stepped up his game significantly in the Main Event thanks to a high line that allowed him to sling around the circuit at remarkable speed.
On lap 8 of 12, Costan-Wood used that strategy to overhaul Drane, and the two subsequently executed a series of crisscrossing passes on one another, with Drane countering by throwing it down underneath and Costan-Wood squaring him back up in return.
The Australian finally ended that back-and-forth by placing himself in Costan-Wood’s preferred path, stalling his challenger’s momentum ever so slightly. That allowed Drane to reclaim a firm grasp on the lead, which he then held to the checkered flag.
Third went to Dillon Durelle (No. 58 Durelle Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and was earned by overtaking ThrottleFest winner Bayne Nantz (No. 313 Nantz Bros Racing KTM 450 SX-F) for the position.
Madicela Rodriguez (No. 113 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited/Arai/Alpinestars) picked up her first victory of the 2026 Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. (BTR) season in convincing fashion.
