DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bryan Smith has been named the Series Director of Progressive American Flat Track, AMA Pro Racing announced Tuesday.
Smith will transition immediately from his current role as the Director of Industry Relations to the expanded role of AFT Series Director.
“Over the last year, Bryan has consistently demonstrated the leadership capabilities that are necessary to take on even greater responsibilities with the series,” said Gene Crouch, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “Bryan’s ability to leverage the knowledge he’s gained over the course of his motorcycle racing career as both a factory rider and championship-winning privateer will also be critically important as we form future strategies for the sport.”
Smith first joined AMA Pro Racing in 2022 following a decades-long career as one of the sport’s leading competitors. His accolades include winning the Grand National Championship as a Kawasaki-mounted privateer in 2016 before becoming a Factory rider, racing on the Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson squads in subsequent seasons. His understanding of the sport as a competitor, tactician, historian, mechanically minded rider, and now series’ staffer make him uniquely well suited to tackle his new role as Series Director.
“When I joined the Progressive AFT management team a year ago, I said my goals were to give back to the sport and see it grow,” said Smith. “That’s even more true today. I’m encouraged by what we’ve accomplished already, and I’m excited to embrace this new opportunity to create an even greater impact. I feel certain we’re on the right path to take the sport to the next level.”
In his new role, Smith will be responsible for managing all competition aspects of Progressive AFT, including season calendar and event planning, event operations, safety and track prep and series rules development. Smith will also continue to manage rider & team relationships and new rider evaluation.
“We are very excited to move Bryan into this new role,” said Kevin Crowther, Chief Competition Officer of AMA Pro Racing. “Bryan has a wealth of knowledge from all levels of competition, and the experience he gained last year working with the paddock and the Progressive AFT staff has given him the tools that he needs to make a positive impact on the sport.”