SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Even with the 2026 championship already decided, there’s still much in play as the KICKER AFT Singles class closes out the Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, with the Caterpillar Springfield Mile I & II at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Sept. 5-6.
If this weekend proves to be his last in the class, Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) has already made a compelling case for the category’s G.O.A.T.
That’s not to say the Australian can’t add even more firepower to that claim this weekend. Already holding the class record for most victories all-time (27), and most Mile victories all-time (9), the Australian can break a three-way tie with Kody Kopp and Dallas Daniels and claim sole possession of most single-season wins all-time. One more would do it, upping his ‘26 tally to nine. And a double win would put it borderline out of reach at 10.
Drane comes into Springfield having won the series’ last six Miles. His Springfield-specific mastery is equally notable, where he’s taken the last five straight (make that seven if you separate out his clean sweep of last year’s Mission Triple Challenge).
But that doesn’t mean it’s likely to come easily. Every single one of the aforementioned victories was measured by – at most – tenths and more often by hundredths and even thousandths of a second.
Incidentally, Drane will be juggling his run at the record books with a glimpse into the future with a Mission AFT SuperTwins wild card entry.
Outside of equaling Kopp’s back-to-back-to-back titles, there seems to be little left for Drane to accomplish before graduating to the premier-class ranks.
And considering the performance of his immediate predecessors – reigning Grand National Champion Daniels and runaway Rookie of the Year Kopp – Drane is a likely candidate to move up a weight class.
If that’s the case, this may be the last chance some old foes have at getting the better of Drane, at least on single-cylinder machinery.
First among rivals is Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), who has been butting heads and trading paint with Drane pretty much from the start.
Lost in Drane’s superlative season is another standout year for Saathoff. With two races yet to go, he’s already logged 10 podiums, including a win and six top twos.
But that hasn’t put him completely out of reach of a trio of riders who still have an outside shot of swiping second in the standings.
Third-ranked Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), fourth-ranked Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Texas Utility Studies/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R), and Trevor Brunner (No. 21 JMC Motorsports/Fairway GMC KTM 450 SX-F) still all hold a mathematical opportunity to overtake Saathoff.
It’s unlikely to happen, especially in the case of Brunner, who would practically need to sweep out and have Saathoff sleep in to pull it off.
But all three could certainly factor in the fight for the wins. Each one took checkered flags within striking distance of Drane here last year, with Brunner walking away with a pair of seconds – one by 0.017 seconds and the other by 0.028.
Regardless of what happens this weekend, 2026 will go down as breakthrough seasons for both Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F) and Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F), who joined the prestigious list of KICKER AFT Singles Main Event winners this year.
Even though Pfanders’ maiden win came in the opener, he’s riding consistently stronger than ever before at this stage of the season, racking up five top-five finishes in his last six outings.
And while Kelleher’s first triumph came at a Super TT, you’d be wise to remember that he initially burst onto the scene with a front-running ride at the ‘24 DuQuoin Mile.
While Santero continues to attempt to shed his place atop the list of riders most likely to get their first KICKER AFT Singles win, he’s not alone in growing impatient.
Among the remainder of the field, Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) have flashed the speed needed to win most frequently, and they’ve got two last opportunities to get it done before heading into the offseason.
Jack Brucks (No. 113 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) has already locked up KICKER AFT Singles Rookie of the Year honors. He’s done so on the strength of eight top 10s, including three finishes of sixth or better with a fourth-place ride to his name.
And despite coming close, yet he’s still seeking a rookie-season podium finish. Time is running short.
