04.09.2023

TWO-TIME CHAMPION KODY KOPP FINISHES 2023 AFT SINGLES SEASON WITH SPRINGFIELD PODIUM

Round 18 – American Flat Track Championship
This press release has: 6 Images
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Newly-crowned two-time champion Kody Kopp has concluded the 2023 American Flat Track Championship by securing a third-place result in the AFT Singles Class at the final round of the season at Springfield Mile II, just one day after clinching back-to-back titles in the penultimate round.
The championship pressure was lifted from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Kopp as he entered Round 18, going on to record the fifth-fastest qualifying time. Third place in his Heat Race earned him a transfer into the Main Event, where the number one would battle hard all race long, crossing the line in third position, just 0.159s outside of victory.

Kopp's 2023 campaign marked an ultra-successful outing onboard his KTM 450 SX-F, with the 18-year-old defending his AFT Singles Championship, while also racing to eight race wins across the season, marking one of the more dominant seasons in AFT Singles Class history.

Kody Kopp: "The season comes to an end here in Springfield! We pulled another podium finish, which is pretty crazy considering how we started the year with the Miles, so it’s a testament to how hard the team has worked throughout the year to get us to where we are now. The pressure was lifted today after the championship was wrapped up yesterday, so it was a fun race to enjoy, and we ended up just a little short in third place. Stoked on the season though and already looking forward to defending this thing next year!"

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Max Whale sat one position ahead of Kopp in qualifying by posting the fourth-fastest time, before racing to third place in his Heat Race. A stacked Main Event with the top 10 fighting for position saw Whale conclude his 2023 season with a ninth-place ride in Springfield, completing the season P5 in the final AFT Singles Class standings.

Max Whale: "All in all things went fairly well this season, as it’s the first time in a while I’ve made it through all rounds healthy. Lots of learnings and takeaways this year, but I feel like I have a lot more to give, so we’ll come back next year stronger and faster. My race here was good, first through 10th were in a super-tight battle, we were all there at the front of the pack, and I ended up ninth. Congratulations to Kody and the whole team, job well done to those guys, and we’ll be up for the fight again next year."

KTM-supported racer Briar Bauman finished the 2023 American Flat Track Championship by claiming an impressive SuperTwins Class victory at Springfield Mile II, which marks his second win of the season and ninth podium finish equipped with the KTM 890 DUKE. Bauman was ranked P4 in the final championship standings.

Round 18 Results

AFT Singles Main Event
1. Tom Drane, Yamaha
2. Chase Saathoff, Honda
3. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
OTHER KTM
7. Declan Bender, KTM
9. Max Whale, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
12. Shayna Texter-Bauman, KTM
13. Travis Petton IV, KTM
16. Dalton Gauthier, KTM
19. Landen Smith, KTM

2023 AFT Singles Point Standings
1. Kody Kopp, 351 points
2. Tom Drane, 310
3. Trevor Brunner, 305
OTHER KTM
5. Max Whale, 266
7. Dalton Gauthier, 247
11. Travis Petton IV, 113
14. Shayna Texter-Bauman, 84
17. Declan Bender, 65
20. Logan Eisenhard, 43
22. Tanner Dean, 27
26. Landen Smith, 16
27. Hayden Gillim, 14
28. Olin Kissler, 14
30. Clarke Morian V, 12
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Images (6)

KODY KOPP - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
3 000 x 2 000 © Tim Lester
KODY KOPP 02 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
3 000 x 2 000 © Tim Lester
MAX WHALE & KODY KOPP - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
3 000 x 2 000 © Tim Lester
MAX WHALE - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
3 000 x 2 000 © Tim Lester
MAX WHALE 02 - RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING
3 000 x 2 000 © Tim Lester
BRIAR BAUMAN - KTM
3 000 x 2 000 © Tim Lester

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