Still Much in Play for Drane and Co. at Lake Ozark Short Track Finale

Tom Drane (59) and other AFT Singles presented by KICKER riders race down the front straightaway during the Singles Main Event in Springfield during the Springfield Mile II event. [Photo: American Flat Track / Tim Lester]

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – September 11, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Newly crowned champion Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and the rest of the AFT Singles presented by KICKER contenders will conclude the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, at the Arby’s Lake Ozark Short Track presented by Arrowhead Brass at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri on Saturday, September 13.

Still in Play: Drane

If Drane decided to take an early vacation, he’d have already cemented his place as one of AFT Singles’ all-time greats.

In addition to wrapping up the ‘25 title two rounds early, Drane also boasts the two longest podium streaks in class history, is tied for most AFT Singles Mile wins all-time, and stands as one of six riders to hit the AFT Singles Grand Slam, among a great many other accomplishments.

But that doesn’t mean Drane can’t add to that already lengthy list this weekend.

Should he win the Lake Ozark ST as he did one year ago, he’ll tie Dallas Daniels and Kody Kopp for most wins in a single season by upping his ‘25 tally to eight. A win would also increase his all-time wins total to 19, moving him equal with Shayna Texter-Bauman for second all-time. Additionally, it would up his active podium streak record to 12 and tie Kopp for the second-longest win streak in AFT Singles history at four.

Can he do it?

The better question might be, can anyone stop him?

Still to Play II: Best of the Rest

Even prior to the start of the ‘25 campaign, a clear pecking order had already been established.

Drane, Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R), and Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) were widely expected to vie for the crown, and as it’s turned out, they have already locked down the top three positions in the final ‘25 standings.

The question was whether or not any one from a long list of potential challengers might join them. The answer has been… no… kinda… it depends.

Among those listed as the most likely to do so, Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R), Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Hannum’s HD/Pfanders Racing KTM 450 SX-F), Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust/ATV’s and More Yamaha YZ450F), Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R/Little Debbie Racing Honda CRF450R), Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), and Evan Renshaw (No. 65) are currently ranked inside the top ten with one round remaining.

However, the rider who has the inside line at fourth in the standings wasn’t even a consideration when the season kicked off.

Kage Tadman (No. 288 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) joined the fray four rounds in and immediately set the class alight with back-to-back victories in his first career pro races.

While he came back down to earth somewhat since, he’s streaked forward in low earth orbit at the least. Tadman now owns eight top fives in all, including seven top fours, four podiums, and, of course, those two wins.

As a result, he’s already long since locked up 2025 AFT Singles Rookie of the Year. And while unlikely, if you do the math, it’s not impossible to think that he might have had a chance to finish ranked inside the championship top three this weekend had he participated for the entire season.

But there’s still work left for Tadman. While he sits ranked fourth at the moment, Santero, Pfanders, RoosEvans, and Lowe all have an opportunity to move ahead of him with a big weekend.

Still in Play III: Maiden Win

A few riders who have previously taken AFT Singles podiums are still seeking their maiden victory this weekend.

Santero owns a previous best finish of second, while Pfanders and Hunter Bauer (No. 24 Vinson Construction/Reel Medics Yamaha YZ450F) have each previously finished third.

You just know a maiden win ranked high among their preseason goals. They’ve each got one more shot in 2025.

Bradon Pfanders (83) lining up for the Main Event in Springfield at the Springfield Mile II event [Photo: American Flat Track / Kristen Lassen]

Still in Play IV: Maiden Podium

Meanwhile, several others in the field who have previously finished inside the top five are still looking to claim their first-career AFT Singles podium.

RoosEvans leads that bunch with multiple fourths to his name… not to mention an appearance on the box at the Jackpine Gypsies Super TT. However, he later had the result stripped due to a non-compliant fuel violation, which in turn handed Pfanders his first, and to date, only, career top three weeks after the fact. So consider Pfanders an honorary member of this mix as well.

Others who fit the bill include Lowe, rookie Walker Porter (No. 100 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and Tyler Raggio (No. 55 Raggio/Sluggo/Unsettled Racing KTM 450 SX-F).

Still in Play V: Build. Train. Race.

The Lake Ozark Short Track will also serve as the season finale for Royal Enfield’s immensely successful Build. Train. Race. (BTR) program. Throughout its history, BTR has injected new talent and excitement into the series as it highlights, celebrates, and encourages the involvement of women in flat track racing.

Thus far in 2025, there have been three races and three different winners: Emma Gottsch (No. 5 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited), Taia Little (No. 11 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited), and Madicela Rodriguez (No. 113 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited).

Will the ‘25 season finale make it four in four?

It’s Best to Rest Before BikeFest

There will be no shortage of entertainment options at the 19th Annual Lake of the Ozarks BikeFest in general and the Lake Ozark Short Track in particular.

Along with the season-ending action on track culminating in the crowning of the 2025 Grand National Champion, fans will be treated to Jumbotron-enhanced viewing, dedicated motorcycle parking, numerous food and beverage options, the Fans Zone – complete with a face painter – and a fireworks display to conclude the evening’s activities.

Your Ticket to the Land of Oz(ark)

General Admission tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult General Admission ticket). Students can get a GA ticket for just $20 ticket at the gate with a student ID, while qualified individuals can take advantage of the Military/First Responder discount to purchase $20 General Admission tickets via the GovX link found on the event ticket pages.

Reserved Grandstand tickets, which are located along the front stretch of the racetrack with ideal sightlines, are just $50 (all ages).

H.O.G. members can purchase a H.O.G. Membership Ticket for $30 (all ages), which grants access to both a dedicated parking area and dedicated grandstand seating, along with a meet and greet and photo opportunity with the Harley-Davidson racers and a private infield tour.

Finally, there’s the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($99), which includes General Admission seating with full pit pass access, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line, photo opps, and up-close viewing of Opening Ceremonies and the night’s race action.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/lake-ozark-short-track-126438 to purchase your tickets today.

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies set to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT).

How to Watch 

FloRacing

For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

FS1

FOX Sports coverage of the Arby’s Lake Ozark Short Track presented by Arrowhead Brass, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, September 20, at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT).

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

About Progressive American Flat Track: 

Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports. 

Source: Progressive American Flat Track

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