Mees takes double victory at Springfield Mile
The Springfield Mile I & II, presented by Drag Specialties, lived up to its billing as one of the most significant events in the series’ modern history as two of the final three rounds of the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season played out over a single day at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois.
When the dust settled after the Super Sunday doubleheader, reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) emerged the big winner… again.
A day of domination for the all-time great ended with his third Springfield Mile double – this one leaving him just three points away from the immortality granted by a record tenth premier-class crown.
“So many people have contributed to our program. My guys worked so hard just to try to fine-tune it all day. And I needed that in the Main. You don’t really get perfect motorcycles every race, but that Main Event, the thing was really, really close to perfect. It was awesome and came together when we needed it.”
– Jared Mees
The day’s second scheduled Mees disappearing act proved considerably more difficult. While largely controlling the race from the front, Daniels, Bauman, Robinson, and Fisher kept the champion firmly in their sights over the race’s opening half.
But the champ stormed past the checkered flag with almost a second-and-a-half in hand, securing his 10th Springfield Mile win and a Carr-surpassing 30th-career Mile victory.
Now on the verge of an unprecedented tenth Grand National Championship, Mees remarks, “We came in super focused but had some jitters and some nerves, just because the pressure was on me because I’ve done so well in the past. I had the target on my back, but I do well with that. A huge shout out to my entire team…. I wanted to get Indian Motorcycle their last couple wins here, I really did. That burnout was for Indian Motorcycle. I’m so happy they put me on board in 2016 and ‘17 – a phenomenal company to ride for.”
FOX Sports coverage of the Springfield Mile I & II will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, September 8. The Springfield Mile I will air at 7:00 a.m. ET (4:00 a.m. PT) with the Springfield Mile II scheduled for 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT).
