07.05.2023

NEAR-PERFECT OUTING FOR RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING’S KODY KOPP AT VENTURA SHORT TRACK

Round 6 – American Flat Track Championship
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VENTURA, Calif. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Kody Kopp has achieved a near-perfect outing in the sixth round of the 2023 American Flat Track Championship at the Ventura Short Track, taking the Main Event victory in the AFT Singles Class, while teammate Max Whale finished in fourth position.
Qualifying in second position, just 0.024s off the pole, defending champion Kopp looked right at home on the Southern Californian circuit, powering his #1 KTM 450 SX-F to victory in the opening Heat race of the event. The 18-year-old then took victory in the Dash-for-Cash, before going on to secure a stellar P1 ride in the Main Event to extend his points advantage in the championship.

Kody Kopp: “Man, that was a gnarly one. Probably the best battle I’ve ever had in a Main Event – Chase [Saathoff] and I were going back and forth, a little bit of cat and mouse, and put on a great show for the fans. I managed to win the Dash-for-Cash and the Main Event, putting us back to where we belong. This season will continue to be a dogfight until the end. Hats off to my team, Red Bull KTM, it was a great weekend.”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Whale shadowed Kopp in qualifying, landing position three on the timesheets by the session's end. With momentum on his side, Whale continued his form in the second Heat race of the night, crossing the line in third just 0.775s from the win, before bringing home his KTM 450 SX-F fourth place on the Main Event. He's third in the point standings.

Max Whale: “Today started out awesome and the track was unreal with loads of passing opportunities, which was good fun. I struggled a bit as the day went on, and messed up in the Heat, which put me on the second row and left me a little frustrated at myself, although I fought hard in the Main Event tonight for P4. I’m working hard, the team's working harder, so, Sacramento in one weekend’s time. Let’s go!”

Next Race: Sacramento Mile – Sacramento, California – May 13, 2023

Round 6 Results

AFT Singles Main Event
1. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
2. Chase Saathoff, Honda
3. Morgen Mischler, Honda
4. Max Whale, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
OTHER KTM
9. Justin Jones, KTM
10. Dalton Gauthier, KTM
15. Travis Petton IV, KTM
18. Logan Eisenhard, KTM

2023 AFT Singles Point Standings
1. Kody Kopp, 127 points
2. Dalton Gauthier, 108
3. Max Whale, 102
OTHER KTM
10. Justin Jones, 51
13. Logan Eisenhard, 27
14. Travis Petton IV, 24
17. Shayna Texter-Bauman, 22
22. Hayden Gillim, 14
23. Hunter Bauer, 11
24. Clarke Morian V, 10
25. Tanner Dean, 9
30. Olin Kissler, 4
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Images (3)

KODY KOPP - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333
MAX WHALE - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 126
MAX WHALE 02 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
2 000 x 1 333

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