09.07.2023

DOMINANT DAY FOR KODY KOPP AND RED BULL KTM AT ORANGE COUNTY HALF-MILE

Round 12 – American Flat Track Championship
This press release has: 5 Images
MIDDLETOWN, N. Y. – It was a dominant performance from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Kody Kopp at Round 12 of the 2023 American Flat Track Championship, topping all sessions and securing a sixth AFT Singles Main Event victory this season at the Orange County Half-Mile.
Defending AFT Singles class champion Kopp was fast as soon as the wheels hit the dirt in New York, with the number one plate-holder setting the fastest combined time in qualifying. Carrying that momentum into the opening Heat race of the event, Kopp pieced together a strong ride that saw him cross the line with a four-second margin over second place.

An entry into the Dash-For-Cash was the award by after that Heat race win, where Kopp was again the first to greet the checkered flag. In the Main Event, the 18-year-old would charge from a three-second deficit at one point to wrap up a stellar day of racing and secure his third win in succession. He now has a commanding 47-point lead in the standings.

Kody Kopp: "Notched pretty much the perfect day of racing here in New York – managed to top qualifying, won the heat race, won the Dash, and then was able to get the win in the Main Event. The win didn’t come easy this weekend though, we had to fight from being way back and, I think at one point I was three seconds down, but dug deep for that one. The goal was to keep the winning streak going and show we’re here to fight for this championship. That’s win number six for me this year, so we’ll go back to work and be back for New Jersey, hungry for more."

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Whale posted the fifth-fastest time in qualifying, before racing to a fourth-place finish in the second Heat race of the night. The Australian would then experience a first turn fall in the Main Event, and struggle to completely come to grips with the track surface as the laps clicked off, restarting to finish in 18th place.

Max Whale: "The day started off decent for me, felt good in practice and qualifying, even though this was a very challenging circuit to ride. I struggled as the day went on with the track drying out, and then rode average in the Heat race. That meant I had a second row start for the main, but then went down by myself in the first turn, and just struggled here in a big way. We’ll need to regroup and come back for the next one.”

Next Race: Bridgeport Half-Mile – Swedesboro, NJ – July 22, 2023

Round 12 Results

AFT Singles Main Event
1. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
2. Chase Saathoff, Honda
3. Tom Drane, Yamaha
OTHER KTM
7. Dalton Gauthier, KTM
10. Travis Petton IV, KTM
12. Shayna Texter-Bauman, KTM
16. Logan Eisenhard, KTM
17. Declan Bender, KTM
18. Max Whale, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

2023 AFT Singles Point Standings
1. Kody Kopp, 241 points
2. Chase Saathoff, 194
3. Trevor Brunner, 187
OTHER KTM
6. Dalton Gauthier, 179
7. Max Whale, 178
11. Travis Petton IV, 69
12. Shayna Texter-Bauman, 59
18. Hunter Bauer, 49
19. Logan Eisenhard, 40
23. Declan Bender, 21
24. Hayden Gillim, 14
25. Landen Smith, 13
27. Clarke Morian V, 12
29. Tanner Dean, 9
33. Olin Kissler, 4
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Images (5)

KODY KOPP 02 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
1 500 x 1 000 © Tim Lester
KODY KOPP - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
1 500 x 1 000 © Tim Lester
KODY KOPP 03 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
1 200 x 2 134 © Tim Lester
MAX WHALE - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
1 500 x 1 000 © Tim Lester
MAX WHALE 02 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
1 500 x 1 000 © Tim Lester

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