THE LATUS AND GREATEST: KODY KOPP AIMS TO CLAIM HIS DESTINY
Words and images courtesy of American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is perhaps unique among motorsports in that it is at once undeniably world class and undeniably grass roots. No less than a living historical record of Americana, Progressive AFT traces its direct roots back to the earliest days of motorsport.
The Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew was doling out damage as of 1914, while Class C competition – which ultimately served as the basis for the Grand National Championship – was introduced in the early 1930s. And in 1954, the Grand National Championship at last took shape as a season-long championship – a tradition that continues to this day.
As a result, riders at the pinnacle of motorcycle dirt track racing are just as likely to be born into the sport as they are to be drawn to it from afar. The Progressive AFT field has long been loaded up with multi-generation pilots, many of whom brandish names on the backs of the leathers that were familiar to race fans even before they were born.
It’s somewhat surprising then that, in the seven-decade-plus history of the Grand National Championship, never has a father-son duo both earned the sport’s ultimate honor.
However, that’s a drought with a clear endpoint in sight.
Latus Motors Harley-Davidson’s Kody Kopp just assembled one of the all-time great rookie seasons. The three-time KICKER AFT Singles champion hit the ground running in his graduation to the premier Mission AFT SuperTwins ranks, dropping jaws by winning in his first two attempts. He battled in contention for the crown to the final weekend, ultimately ending his maiden season ranked second overall on the strength of three victories, nine podiums, and 15 top fives in 16 rounds.
And considering that racers typically make their greatest leap in form from year one to year two (as Kopp previously did while improving from seventh to first in 450cc competition), the Washington native is bound to be a popular preseason title favorite looking ahead to 2027.
This all comes as very little surprise. Kopp has been on the radar of flat track diehards dating back to his amateur days, no doubt aided by the fact that he happens to be the son of 2000 Grand National Champion Joe Kopp.
LATUS MOTORS HARLEY-DAVIDSON'S KODY KOPP JUST ASSEMBLED ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREAT ROOKIE SEASONS, ULTIMATELY ENDING HIS MAIDEN SEASON RANKED SECOND OVERALL.
The elder Kopp earned 17 of his 20 career premier-class wins aboard a Harley-Davidson XR750, the last of those coming aboard a Latus Motors Harley-Davidson on August 7, 2010.
Kody was just five years old at the time and can’t even recall the race. One of his dad’s wins does still hold a place in his memory, however.
“I specifically remember a race in Columbus (Ohio),” Kody said. “I don’t know what year it was, but he won by 22 seconds. And the only reason I remember it is because it was almost a rainout. I was out in the fairground’s ponds with (Hall of Fame tuner) Kenny Tolbert, and we were froggin’.”
A quick check of the record books confirms the race in question was the 2009 Grove City Mile, a race Joe did in fact win by 22.033 seconds.
While Kody was surrounded by a fleet of XRs in his formative years, his actual experience with the legendary racebike is, well, fleeting.
“I rode one of my dad’s championship bikes up and down the road,” he said. “That’s it. I never got to ride it on a track.”
KOPP NOW STANDS AS A KEY FIGURE IN ACTIVELY TRANSFORMING THE ONCE MALIGNED HARLEY-DAVIDSON XG750R INTO A MODERN-DAY LEGEND IN ITS OWN RIGHT.
Instead, Kopp now stands as a key figure in actively transforming the once maligned Harley-Davidson XG750R into a modern-day legend in its own right – an evolving narrative pushed forward by the fact that the bike has topped the series in overall race wins two years running.
Reflecting on his breakout rookie season, Kopp said, “We had the best rookie season ever recorded, and we led the points for most of the season. I’m proud of that and content with how the season went. I really feel I have many championships coming my way in the future.”
This past season was made that much more special by representing the Latus squad that both fielded his father and played a critical role in Kody’s own early racing efforts. “It’s pretty cool. George Latus has been a supporter of mine for so long. He owned a Harley dealership, so it’s awesome to be on a Harley now.”
The fabled Harley-Davidson shield also brings a legion of fans along with it – fans who were all too happy to welcome another Kopp into its ranks.
“It’s definitely unlike anything I’ve experienced in terms of the fan base,” Kopp acknowledged. “The Harley fans get rowdy, and we love it.”
Expect Kopp to give Harley fans plenty to get rowdy about in 2027.
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