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The inaugural stop of the Mission Foods Cory Texter Promotions CTR Showcase at the Daytona Flat Track delivered a mix of high-energy youth races, veteran battles and the opening chapter of the Road to AFT. Set within the storied environment of Daytona, the event gave amateur and developing riders an opportunity to score against strong competition and to gain momentum before regional rounds tied to the American Flat Track schedule.
Organizers structured the three-day program to spotlight both grassroots classes and the early-season Road to AFT finale. Across the program, names to remember emerged through decisive wins, last-lap passes and consistent performances that will shape rider trajectories moving forward. The event also set the stage for the next Showcase at Senoia Raceway on March 20.
Daytona action and key results
The afternoon sessions at Daytona featured standout rides that captured attention on the sandy oval. Californian Ryder Bitz-Hay claimed the first Road to AFT main event win of the year with a commanding wire-to-wire performance, sealing his victory as the sun dropped on race day. Meanwhile, Estenson Yamaha’s Sam Drane enjoyed a loaded week, taking both the 450 Amateur and Open Amateur main events and also winning the Mission Challenge Dash for Cash. These results underscored Drane’s versatility—competing on the high banks in Twins Cup MotoAmerica action as well as on the flat.
Youth classes and developing talent
The morning slate focused on AMA youth classes, where younger riders put on emphatic displays. Virginia’s Jayden Nickens prevailed in the 85cc category after a heated duel with 2026 Amateur National Champion Jackson Joiner, then controlled the Youth Premier main through multiple restarts to finish comfortably ahead by several seconds. Sibling-style consistency was evident elsewhere as Cruise Texter dominated the 50cc Chain and Mini Open divisions; however, a tense moment in traffic opened the door in the 65cc main where Reef Pendergrass executed a perfectly timed last-lap pass to take the win.
Notable junior finishes
Other youth winners included Maddox Wingard in the 50cc Air-Cooled class and class victors who continue to build resumes in the sport’s lower-displacement ranks. These performances are more than trophies; they are entry points into a system designed to feed talent into higher categories. The prominence of youth racing at Daytona emphasized the Showcase’s role as both a festival and a legitimate pathway toward professional flat track competition.
Veterans, vintage classes and broader results
Beyond the youth and Road to AFT headlines, the event honored seasoned racers and classic machinery. Veteran class winners included Kenneth Shaffer (50+), Robby “Bobby” McLendon (40+) and John Poorman (30+). In vintage competition, Stephen Flach took Vintage Light honors and Nicholas Myers won Vintage Open. Other winners across amateur divisions were Joshua Pierce in 250 Amateur and James Parker, who edged out Jon Kruppenbacker for the Hooligan victory. These varied results reflect the Showcase’s breadth, accommodating racers at many stages of their careers.
Road to AFT standings snapshot
At the top of the Road to AFT leaderboard from Daytona, the Top 5 featured Ryder Bitz-Hay (KTM), Sam Drane (Yamaha), Dillon Durelle (Yamaha), Wyland Seger (Honda) and Jed Fyffe (Yamaha). This early pecking order sets storylines to follow as riders chase points, visibility and opportunities to step into higher tiers of American Flat Track competition.
What comes next: schedule and significance
The Mission CTR Showcase series continues its regional run with a busy spring calendar that aligns with several AFT rounds. After the Senoia Raceway stop on March 20, the series will appear at Ventura Speedway on April 24, Silver Dollar Speedway on May 1, Budds Creek MX on May 15, Williams Grove Half Mile on May 23 and Tennessee National Raceway on June 5. Each event is intended to provide local racers a stage to compete, to earn Road to AFT credentials and to catch the eye of teams and sponsors scouting new talent.
Daytona’s Showcase proved that a well-run, multi-class meeting can combine spectacle with meaningful development opportunities. From youth competitors making decisive moves to veterans and vintage specialists taking pride of place, the event reinforced the flat track ecosystem’s depth. With additional stops scheduled, riders have clear targets ahead to advance their careers and to stake claims in a growing American flat track scene.