PHOENIX (May 24, 2018)– It’s twice the American Flat Track action this weekend for the Estenson Racing squad with the AFT Singles class battling on the Springfield TT Saturday night, May 26, and AFT Twins competing in the 99thrunning of the Springfield Mile, Sunday, May 27. Both Jake Johnson and Kolby Carlile look to celebrate their Memorial Day weekend on the top step of the podium at one of the sport’s most revered venues.
It hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for Johnson in the AFT Twins class this year so far, with a big crash in Texas and some struggles with the new bike. But the two-time Grand National Champion has put that behind him and looks forward to starting fresh on the blue groove of the Springfield Mile. The legendary Mile track is not only great for racing, it tends to favor experience. Johnson already has had a pair of wins at the Springfield Mile and would love nothing more than adding one to his resume this year on the Yamaha MT-07.
Fresh off his win at the Sacramento Mile, Carlile looks to keep the momentum rolling at the Springfield TT. Giving him extra confidence going into round 7 of the championship is the fact that Carlile feels right at home on the TT tracks. Before moving to Phoenix this winter, Carlile called Owensboro, Kentucky, home. He spent a lot of time training with friend/mentor JD Beach, the Hayden clan and the rest of the OWB crew, sharpening his TT-riding skills. The reigning AFT Singles champ scored a pair of podiums last year on the TTs and looks take the win on his Yamaha YZ450F Saturday night in Springfield.
Then on Sunday, Carlile will make his debut on the Twin, using his provisional status to race the Springfield Mile.
Jake Johnson – AFT Twins #5:
“I think Springfield will be good for us. There’s a couple different Springfields we can get. Sometimes you can ride top to bottom. Sometimes it’s a ten-foot-wide groove. Either way, you got a little bit of wiggle room at Springfield. It’s more of a drafting war than anything, but you’ve still got to get around the racetrack. Basically, Springfield is a chess match. I’ve got a lot of laps around there, so hopefully that helps me out a little bit.”
Kolby Carlile – AFT Singles #1:
“I’ve done so many laps with Team 95 and the Owensboro crew, they kind of groomed me into being a pretty good TT rider, and that paid dividends last year in the championship. Springfield (TT) is just a fun track. I got third there last year. I’m really looking for a race win and definitely another podium there this year.
“I’m also excited to make my Twins debut Sunday at the Springfield Mile. As I’ve said before, my goal is to move up to the Twins class and having some seat time will be a big help for that transition.”
The Springfield TT is streamed live, Saturday, May 26, on FansChoice.TV starting with AFT Singles practice at 5:00 p.m. ET, followed by Opening Ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. ET, Heats at 8:30 p.m. ET and the Main Events at 10:35 p.m. ET. Action on the big track will also be streamed live the following day, Sunday, May 27. Practice kicks off at 11:00 a.m. ET, followed by the Springfield Mile Opening ceremonies at 2:00 p.m. ET, Heats at 2:30 p.m. ET and Main Events at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Catch both the Springfield TT and Mile on NBCSN, June 9 at 5:00 p.m. ET. For tickets and additional information about the event: http://www.americanflattrack.com/events.
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