Dallas Daniels Dominates Daytona with Back-to-Back Wins for Estenson Racing
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 6-7, 2025) – Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) proved why he was the preseason favorite for the Progressive American Flat Track Mission AFT SuperTwins title, securing a stunning double victory at the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA I & II. Daniels not only conquered the opening round but followed it up with another thrilling performance on Friday night, establishing himself as the man to beat in the 2025 season.
Thursday Night: A Gritty Comeback for Victory
Daniels’ path to the top in the season opener was anything but smooth. Despite entering the weekend as a dominant force at Daytona in previous years, the Estenson Racing rider struggled early on, finding himself on the back foot through practice and qualifying. After failing to qualify for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, he lined up for the Main Event from Row 2—an unusual position for a rider of his caliber.
However, when it mattered most, Daniels delivered. In a dramatic late-race charge, he capitalized on lapped traffic to snatch victory from Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R) with just 35 seconds remaining. The win marked an emotional return to the top step of the podium for Daniels, who was forced to watch his title hopes slip away last year due to injury.
“This win is because of the team,” Daniels said. “I was struggling all day, and they never stopped working. When I went out for that warm-up lap, I knew I had something for them. Briar was incredible tonight, but we got it done.”
Friday Night: Sealing the Sweep
Daniels’ second victory came in a nail-biting rematch with Bauman, but this time, he asserted himself much earlier in the race. Breaking free at the start, Daniels built a 1.4-second lead before Bauman closed the gap. Just when it seemed like Daniels might lose the advantage in lapped traffic—mirroring the previous night’s battle—the Estenson Racing ace fought back immediately to reclaim the lead and hold on for the win.
“That was one of the toughest races I’ve ever had,” Daniels admitted. “I could feel Briar closing in, and I knew I couldn’t make a mistake. But the Yamaha was dialed in, and we brought it home.”
With his 46-point haul, Daniels leaves Daytona as the clear leader in the Grand National Championship standings, with Bauman trailing at 38.
Tom Drane Kicks Off AFT Singles Title Campaign with Strong Podium Finishes
While Daniels was making waves in the SuperTwins class, Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) was putting together a strong start to his AFT Singles presented by KICKER championship campaign. The young Australian talent showed resilience and skill across both Daytona rounds, finishing second on Thursday and third on Friday, earning 35 points—placing him in prime contention for the title.
Thursday Night: A Hard-Fought Second Place
Drane battled fiercely in the opening round, pushing past a stacked field that included reigning champion Kody Kopp (No. 1 Bob Lanphere/KTM/Fastrack Racing KTM 450 SX-F). Despite Kopp’s dominance, Drane showed his signature aggression, moving through the pack and securing a runner-up finish in the closing laps.
Friday Night: Another Podium, Another Statement
The second round saw Drane lock in another strong ride, finishing third behind Kopp and Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R). With consistency on his side, he left Daytona as the effective championship leader, given Kopp’s part-time status in the series this year.
“I feel really good about where we are,” Drane said. “Two podiums at Daytona is a solid way to start the season. The Estenson Yamaha is working great, and we’re ready to keep pushing for wins.”
With Estenson Racing’s Daniels and Drane both leading their respective championship chases, the team has made an emphatic statement to start the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track season. Up next, they look to build on this momentum as the series heads into its next round.