Flat track riders leaning hard into a dirt corner kicking up dust with crowd behind barrier signs glowing under lights

AN ALL-NEW WRECKING CREW

Words and images courtesy of American Flat Track

Harley-Davidson boasts a rich and proud racing history that dates back well over a century. In fact, Harley built its legend in the earliest days of motorcycling in large part due to the overwhelming success of its “Wrecking Crew” race teams – a legacy of competition it has carried forward to this day.

The traditional stronghold of that heritage is Progressive American Flat Track, the world’s elite motorcycle dirt track racing series. Progressive AFT has existed as a season-long championship since 1954 and traces its direct ancestry back several decades earlier than that.

H-D stands as the most successful manufacturer in that long history, having claimed Progressive AFT’s ultimate prize – the fabled Grand National Championship – an astonishing 46 times in 72 seasons, while racking up nearly 700 premier-class Main Event wins (693 and counting…).

The preeminent representative of that peerless success is the iconic XR750. Not just the most decorated race bike of all time, the XR750 is arguably the most successful racing vehicle in the history of global motorsport, full stop.

Flat track rider speeding through dirt straightaway with motion blur trailing behind and bright red boots skimming track surface

PROGRESSIVE AFT HAS EXISTED AS A SEASON-LONG CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 1954 AND TRACES ITS DIRECT ANCESTRY BACK SEVERAL DECADES EARLIER THAN THAT. H-D STANDS AS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MANUFACTURER IN THAT LONG HISTORY.

While we’re talking numbers, consider the opening entry of the bike’s résumé: 37 Grand National Championships, 502 wins, and 54 years of competition.

A genuine threat right up to the end, the XR750 finished on the podium in 2024 – the final season during which it was eligible to compete in the premier Mission AFT SuperTwins class – and put the exclamation point on that remarkable span by winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty sprint race in its final weekend.

The XR750 was retired ahead of the 2025 season in which Progressive AFT transitioned to an all-production based ruleset. The irony is that transition also laid the foundation for Harley-Davidson to rediscover the extent of its potential.

Enter the XG750R. Originally introduced as the XR750’s intended successor back in 2017, it wasn’t until it was unleashed in the production-based environment for which it was originally envisioned that it began to truly shine.

Last season proved a massive breakthrough for the machine. The XG750R secured its maiden premier-class victory in an emphatic 1-2 courtesy of two-time Grand National Champion Briar Bauman and perennial ace Brandon Robinson – who, incidentally, was tapped to contest and develop the bike back during its ‘17 debut season.

The two went on to combine for nine victories – more than any other manufacturer – with Rick Ware Racing’s Bauman taking a series’ leading eight himself while Mission Roof Systems-backed Robinson at last earned that long-awaited first XG750R win he first hunted a decade earlier.

  • Flat track riders charge into first corner in tight pack kicking up dirt under stadium lights with full grandstands
  • Briar Baumann climbs the catch fence celebrating with raised arm as crowd behind reacts under bright track lighting

Bauman and Robinson ended the 2025 campaign ranked second and third in the points, respectively, while strongly hinting that even bigger things were to come.

Five rounds into the 2026 season, it looks as if those bigger things have arrived.

Bauman and Robinson returned to field the bike yet again, while an expanded lineup did its best to emulate the Wrecking Crews of old by adding triple KICKER AFT Singles champion Kody Kopp along with fellow rookie Aidan RoosEvans, a two- and four-wheeled dirt track challenger.

The results, thus far, have been undeniable. The XG750R has claimed four victories in five races, with rookie sensation Kopp leading the way on the Latus Motors Racing entry.

Kopp shot out of the gates in unprecedented fashion, winning his first two premier-class Main Events – a feat never previously achieved – and has yet to finish lower than second.

Meanwhile, Bauman is fast on the rise, having recently swept the California swing for the second consecutive season.

Unfortunately, Robinson is on the shelf recovering after suffering a severe concussion in a multi-rider incident at the Ventura Short Track.

Riders lean deep into a packed dirt corner in tight formation kicking up dust under stadium lights
Kody Kopp concentrates during pit staging gripping bars as crew stands nearby preparing for start
Number 44 Brandon Robinson waits on grid beside crew under umbrellas with riders lined up behind
Riders roll through paddock area with number plates visible as crew members walk alongside under tents

The on-track absence of the amiable and talented Robinson at the following week’s Silver Dollar Short Track was felt by the paddock at large. However, RoosEvans stepped up in a big way to help Harley-Davidson further its ongoing return to the dominating ways of its glory days.

Bauman, Kopp, and RoosEvans locked out the top three positions at Silver Dollar Speedway, scoring H-D’s first Mission AFT SuperTwins podium sweep since it was last accomplished by Jared Mees, Robinson, and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr., aboard a trio of XR750s at the 2016 Charlotte Half-Mile.

Best of all, the trio did so at the first of eight Progressive American Flat Track races this season to feature the Harley-Davidson VIP Experience ticket package, which offers H.O.G.® members dedicated H-D parking, exclusive grandstand seating, a private infield tour, exclusive swag, and a chance to meet Harley’s racers.

While the 2026 Grand National Championship couldn’t have opened in much stronger fashion for the Harley-Davidson contingent, a critical part of the season lies just ahead. The first five races took place at Short Track venues – a discipline in which the XG750R has proven its superiority by way of 11 victories in the last 12 Short Tracks, a run that dates back more than a full calendar year.

However, now the season shifts to its Half-Mile-centric midseason, where riders and machines will face a test of a different variety.

BAUMAN, KOPP, AND ROOSEVANS LOCKED OUT THE TOP THREE POSITIONS AT SILVER DOLLAR SPEEDWAY, SCORING H-D'S FIRST MISSION AFT SUPERTWINS PODIUM SWEEP.

  • Podium finishers stand with helmets and place markers before sponsor backdrop at flat track race ceremony
  • Kody Kopp’s team and crew gather around his race bike posing together in front of sponsor wall after event win

If you’re a Harley-Davidson fan and haven’t been paying attention, now is the time to do so. Better yet, now would be the time to attend a Progressive AFT round and root them from the fences.

And, as it just so happens, another Harley-Davidson VIP Experience opportunity is right around the corner with the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile on Saturday, May 23, in Williams Grove, Pennsylvania.

Harley-Davidson’s race teams are living high on the H.O.G. Why don’t you climb aboard?

HARLEY-DAVIDSON RACING 

Racing has always been Harley-Davidson's proving ground. From the cinder tracks of the early 1900’s to today’s King of the Baggers™, Super Hooligan®, and Progressive® American Flat Track™, our bikes have carried the fight.

Three motorcycle racers lean tightly into a fast corner on a racetrack, riding closely in a competitive pack

EXPLORE THE PERFORMANCE LINEUP

All Models

SHOP PERFORMANCE PARTS & ACCESSORIES

EXPLORE MORE RACING

All Racing
Aerial view of motorcycle racers leaning through a sweeping turn on a red white and blue racetrack

OPENING THE DOOR: AUSTIN CHANGED THE CONVERSATION

Jeffrey Schuessler, Director of Global Racing Programs for Harley-Davidson, reflects on how the Bagger World Cup’s Austin debut sparked immediate momentum for the series.

Motorcycle racers lean into a turn on a track, riding beneath a large Texas flag waving overhead

BAGGER WORLD CUP: EXPECT THE UNEXCPECTED

The first round of the FIM Harley‑Davidson Bagger World Cup in Austin was more than a debut—it was a statement on motorsport’s biggest stage.

Number 38 Bradley Smith takes the bank at Daytona International Speedway at full speed during a King of the Baggers race

BACK ON THE BANKS: KING OF THE BAGGERS AND SUPER HOOLIGANS SEASON OPENER AT DAYTONA

Harley‑Davidson Racing electrified Daytona with fierce battles and dominant podium sweeps that set the stage for an adrenaline‑packed season.

The author films a motorcycle speeding across the finish line on a desert racetrack from above

KING OF THE BAGGERS: DESERT THUNDER AT PODIUM CLUB

A surprise day at a remote Arizona track delivered an up-close look at Harley-Davidson’s King of the Baggers race motorcycles, the tech behind them, and the riders pushing them to the edge.

Briar Bauman carries a checkered flag as he circles a dirt track after winning a race

BRIAR BAUMAN – FATHER – FIGHTER – CHAMPION

He balances the raw spirit and energy of an old school racer with the athleticism and acute intelligence of the modern competitor. It’s a sight to see, and when he’s on, it’s on.

Harley-Davidson Factory Racing crew works on motorcycles inside a busy paddock garage lined with tools and equipment.

THE CREW BEHIND THE KINGS: INSIDE HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RACING

This Q&A highlights the dedicated crew behind Harley-Davidson Factory Racing, revealing the people, work, and nonstop commitment that fuel every victory.

Kyle Wyman, Bradley Smith, and James Rispoli all lean through a corner one right after another during a King of the Baggers race.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RACING CLOSES OUT A MONSTER 2025 

Wyman crowned King, Rispoli the Hooligan champ, two Manufacturer titles stacked on top. Harley’s 2025 season of dominance is complete.

Kyle Wyman surrounded by the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing team celebrates victory on the podium at Circuit of the Americas.

KYLE WYMAN LOCKS DOWN 2025 KING OF THE BAGGERS TITLE

The H-D Factory Racing performance throughout the season was dominant, resulting in securing the championship well before the end of the season.

James Rispoli celebrates with his Harley-Davidson team on the podium.

RISPOLI STUNS, TAKES SUPER HOOLIGAN CROWN ON H-D PAN AMERICA ST

Solid performances throughout the weekend translated into the points required to leapfrog both rivals in the final tally, securing his first Mission Super Hooligan National Championship.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON bagger racing bike by racing track

HARLEY-DAVIDSON BAGGER RACING GOES GLOBAL IN 2026

Welcome to Harley-Davidson BaggerGP.  

Bradley Smith races on the track on his HD Bagger

PUSH THE LIMIT SEASON 3

See the action from the track to the paddock in Harley-Davidson’s series following our King of the Baggers and Super Hooligan series contenders.

A closeup of Bradley Smith riding his bright orange bagger around a curve on the track.

HARD RACING, HEAVY WEATHER, AND HIGH STAKES AT ROAD ATLANTA

Relive the weekend’s top moments from the race track with H-D Staff Photographer Josh Kurpius’ photos from the track and in the paddock.

Bradley Smith gets low in a corner on his number thirty-eight motorcycle

OUR TOP 10 FROM DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

The top 10 photos from the track where H-D riders executed a clean sweep.

Kyle Wyman rides sideways on a dirt flat track

KYLE WYMAN XR750 AT ELKHORN

Kyle Wyman takes his old XR750 out of hibernation and onto the track.

Bradley Smith stands before his number, 38

INSIDE THE MIND OF A RACER: BRADLEY SMITH

We had the chance to sit down with Bradley to talk about life on the track.

Kyle Wyman stands before his number, 33

KYLE WYMAN'S RACE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Kyle Wyman’s journey from local tracks to the professional circuit.

Cory West on his H-D Pan America Super Hooligan Championship bike

GET TO KNOW SUPER HOOLIGAN CHAMP CORY WEST

The reigning champion seeks another #1 plate on his H-D Pan America ST.

James Rispoli stands before his name on a screen in his racing leathers

JAMES RISPOLI IS RUNNING THE RACES

Big Dreams and a Sweet Ride (or Two).