{{Short description|American motorcycle racing series}} {{advert|date=December 2020}} {{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}} [[File:Brob-jarod.jpg|alt=Fast and Left|thumb|308x308px|Brandon Robinson]] '''American Flat Track''' is an American [[Motorcycle sport|motorcycle racing]] series.<ref name="newname">{{cite web|url=http://www.cycleworld.com/american-flat-track-racing-rebrand-changes-in-2017//|title=American Flat-Track Racing Revival|last=Wilson|first=Andrea|date=February 13, 2017|publisher=[[Cycle World]]|access-date=February 23, 2017}}</ref> The racing series, founded and sanctioned by the [[American Motorcyclist Association]] (AMA) in 1954, originally encompassed five distinct forms of competitions including mile [[Dirt track racing|dirt track]] races, half-mile, short-track, TT steeplechase and [[Road racing|road races]].<ref name="The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M_kDAAAAMBAJ&q=1972+american+motorcyclist+motocross+rules+book&pg=PA34 |title=The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association |date=January 1984 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=1 January 2011 |last1=Assoc |first1=American Motorcyclist }}</ref><ref name="Ridin' To The Races">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X_gDAAAAMBAJ&q=american+motorcyclist+tt+steeplechase&pg=PA22 |title=Ridin' To The Races |date=August 1978 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=1 January 2011 |last1=Assoc |first1=American Motorcyclist }}</ref> The championship was the premier motorcycle racing series in the United States from the 1950s up until the late 1970s.
Following the 2016 season, AMA Pro Racing, the sanctioning body of the series, announced a restructured class system as well as a re-envisioning of the event format. The restructured class system consists of the AFT SuperTwins premier class, the AFT Singles class for young rising stars and later on the AFT Production Twins class featuring production-based, 649-800cc twin-cylinder engines.{{cn|date=December 2023}}
==History== ===Harley versus Indian=== In 1932, the AMA sanctioned a racing class called the Class A Dirt Track championship allowing for motorcycle manufacturers to enter [[prototype]] machinery.<ref name="The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association"/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7fsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA18 |title=Past and Present Champions |date=March 1956 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=1 January 2011 |last1=Assoc |first1=American Motorcyclist }}</ref> In 1933, the AMA introduced a new class called Class C which featured street-legal motorcycles in an effort to make motorcycle racing less expensive for ordinary motorcyclists.<ref name="The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association"/><ref name=ama>{{cite web |url=https://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/About-The-AMA/Story/history-of-the-ama//|title=History of the AMA| publisher=[[American Motorcyclist Association]]|access-date=November 3, 2017}}</ref> When manufacturers cut back on racing budgets during the Great Depression, it spelled the end of Class A competition and the Class C championship became the most important championship.<ref name="The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association"/> AMA crowned Indian-mounted Woodsie Castonguay its first Class C National Champion in 1935, and the final Class A champion was crowned in 1938.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} In the years prior to World War II, the Class C championship helped fuel an intense rivalry between [[Harley-Davidson]] and [[Indian (motorcycle)|Indian]], the two major American manufacturers of the period.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?racerid=280 |title=Shell Thuet at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame |publisher=motorcyclemuseum.org |access-date=4 January 2010 |archive-date=13 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613011321/http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=280 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the Second World War there were no championships held between 1942 and 1945.
From 1946 to 1953, the AMA Grand National Champion was crowned based on the results of a single race, the Springfield Mile held at the [[Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack]].<ref name="The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association"/> [[Side-valve engine]]s had a maximum displacement of 750cc, while [[overhead valve engine]]s were limited to 500cc.
In 1954, the Grand National Championship series was introduced, featuring five different types of competitions: four of the competitions (Mile, Half-mile, TT, and Short Track) were held on dirt tracks, while the fifth was held on asphalt-paved courses.<ref name="The First Sixty Years; An Illustrated History of the American Motorcyclist Association"/> With the demise of the Indian motorcycle company in 1953, the Harley-Davidson factory was left to dominate the series. Harley-Davidson rider [[Joe Leonard]] won the first Grand National Championship in 1954 and won the title twice more before moving on to a career in auto racing. Carroll Resweber became the first four-time champion, winning four consecutive championships for Harley-Davidson from 1958 to 1961. Since 1961 short-track events became part of the Championship; those races had a 250cc displacement limit.
===British Invasion=== In the 1960s, British manufacturers seeking to bolster sales in the burgeoning American motorcycle market, began to compete in the championship. [[Dick Mann]] won the national title for [[Birmingham Small Arms Company|BSA]] in 1963, marking the first victory for a foreign manufacturer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?racerid=75 |title=Dick Mann at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame |publisher=motorcyclemuseum.org |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-date=28 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228065550/http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?racerid=75 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Triumph Engineering|Triumph]] would win three Grand National championships in four years with [[Gary Nixon]] winning back-to-back titles in 1967 and 1968, and [[Gene Romero]] taking another title in 1970.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=83&lpos=0px&letter=N&txtFname=&rblFname=S&txtLname=&rblLname=S&discipline=3 |title=Gary Nixon at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame |publisher=motorcyclemuseum.org |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=27 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727094657/http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=83&lpos=0px&letter=N&txtFname=&rblFname=S&txtLname=&rblLname=S&discipline=3 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=89&lpos=0px&letter=R&txtFname=&rblFname=S&txtLname=&rblLname=S&discipline=3 |title=Gene Romero at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame |publisher=motorcyclemuseum.org |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=27 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727094701/http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=89&lpos=0px&letter=R&txtFname=&rblFname=S&txtLname=&rblLname=S&discipline=3 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===The Japanese Arrival=== New regulations for 1969 eliminated the displacement penalty for overhead valve engines; in dirt track events brakes were permitted for the first time. Mann would win a second crown for BSA in 1971 before the British motorcycle industry collapsed in the face of stiff technological competition from Japanese manufacturers. In 1973, [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha's]] [[Kenny Roberts]] would win the first Grand National championship for a Japanese company.<ref name="Kenny Roberts at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame">{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=88&lpos=-205px&letter=R&txtFname=&rblFname=S&txtLname=&rblLname=S&discipline=0 |title=Kenny Roberts at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame |publisher=motorcyclemuseum.org |access-date=4 January 2011 }}</ref> Since 1973 the displacement limit for short-track events was increased to 360cc, but multi-cylinder two-stroke engines were still limited to 250cc.
In 1975 the championship gained full sponsorship from [[R.J. Reynolds Tobacco]] and became known as '''Camel Pro Series'''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R_kDAAAAMBAJ&q=camel+pro+series+1975&pg=PA18 |title=Camel Filters announces $S75,000 Pro Series fund |date=February 1975 |work=AMA News |access-date=16 November 2015 |last1=Assoc |first1=American Motorcyclist }}</ref> Between 1979 and 1982 the series was named '''Winston Pro Series''', reverting to Camel brand in 1983.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V_gDAAAAMBAJ&q=winston+pro+series+1979&pg=PA36|title=A fond farewell to Ol' Joe Camel|date=December 1978 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=16 November 2015 |last1=Assoc|first1=American Motorcyclist}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V_sDAAAAMBAJ&q=camel&pg=PA95|title=Camel Pro Seriese features 34 races|date=February 1983 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=16 November 2015 |last1=Assoc|first1=American Motorcyclist}}</ref>
In 1976 dirt track engines were limited to a maximum of two cylinders; in 1977 the short track engines were limited to 250cc and limited to one cylinder. When the Yamaha team withdrew from the Grand National championship after the 1977 season, Harley-Davidson was left once again to dominate the series.<ref name="Kenny Roberts at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame"/> By 1983, the Grand National Championship had become the best attended form of dirt track racing in America, either on two wheels or four wheels.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CvkDAAAAMBAJ&q=american%20motorcyclist%20most%20attended%20race%20series&pg=PT1 |title=Meet Me In St. Louis |author=Harrison, Greg |date=April 1984 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=2 January 2011 }}</ref> This would be the high point for the championship as, other forms of motorcycle racing such as [[motocross]] and road racing began to overtake dirt tracking in popularity.<ref name="Dirt-track expansion">{{cite magazine |author=Youngblood, Ed|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d_YDAAAAMBAJ&q=dirt%20trackers%20turned%20road%20racers%20american%20motorcyclist&pg=PA7|title=Dirt-track expansion|date=August 1989|work=American Motorcyclist|access-date=3 January 2011}}</ref>
[[Tammy Jo Kirk]] became the first woman to score GNC points in 1983. In 1984, [[Honda]] entered the championship and broke the Harley-Davidson stranglehold with Ricky Graham winning the championship. Honda followed with three consecutive national championships by [[Bubba Shobert]] before they withdrew in 1987, leaving Harley-Davidson once again as the sole major manufacturer in the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=90&lpos=0px&letter=S&txtFname=&rblFname=S&txtLname=&rblLname=S&discipline=3 |title=Bubba Shobert at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame |publisher=motorcyclemuseum.org |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=27 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727094714/http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=90&lpos=0px&letter=S&txtFname=&rblFname=S&txtLname=&rblLname=S&discipline=3 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1984 short-track rules granted a 500cc displacement limit for four-stroke engines.
In the 1970s and on into the 1980s, the Grand National Championship proved to be a fertile training ground for world champion road racers as, AMA dirt track racers such as [[Kenny Roberts]], [[Freddie Spencer]], [[Eddie Lawson]] and [[Wayne Rainey]] all went on to win the [[List of Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champions|500cc road racing world championship]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y_sDAAAAMBAJ&q=dirt%20trackers%20turned%20road%20racers%20american%20motorcyclist&pg=PA45 |title=Wayne Rainey's road to stardom |author=Wood, Bill |date=August 1983 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=3 January 2011 }}</ref> The motorcycle road racing technology of the late 1970s featured engines with power in excess of what the frames and tires of the day could handle.<ref name="50 Years Of Moto Grand Prix">''50 Years Of Moto Grand Prix'' (1st edition). Hazelton Publishing Ltd, 1999. {{ISBN|1-874557-83-7}}</ref> The resulting tire spin created a style of riding more reminiscent of dirt track riding, where sliding the rear tire to one side is used as a method to steer the motorcycle around a corner. This proved to be a great advantage to American dirt track racers who were accustomed to sliding their motorcycles. As [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing]] evolved into its current [[MotoGP]] formula with electronic traction control limiting rear wheel sliding, the advantage once held by former dirt trackers has been diminished.
===Harley Returns to Dominance=== After the departure of the Honda team in 1987, the Harley-Davidson factory racing team dominated the series with rider [[Scott Parker (motorcyclist)|Scott Parker]] winning nine national championships within an eleven-year period.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?racerid=305 |title=Scott Parker at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame |publisher=motorcyclemuseum.org |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=27 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727094720/http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?racerid=305 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During this period, dirt track racing continued its decline, partly due to the fact that motocross and road racing motorcycles could be purchased directly from the manufacturers, whereas dirt track racers had to be hand-built.<ref name="Dirt-track expansion"/>
===Restructuring=== In 1986, the AMA recognized the changing nature of motorcycle racing by making the Grand National Championship into a dirt-track-only series; road-racing rounds were branched off into a separate championship which eventually became the [[AMA Superbike Championship]]. In that season Camel sanctioned both series which were named ''Camel Pro Dirt Track Series'' and ''Camel Pro Road Racing Series''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6vkDAAAAMBAJ&q=camel+pro+road+racing+series&pg=PA65|title=Road Racing gets its own series for 1986|date=February 1986 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=16 November 2015 |last1=Assoc|first1=American Motorcyclist}}</ref>
In 1987 and 1988 the sponsorship strategy changed again and the ''Camel Pro Series'' name referred to a particular series based on selected rounds from both Grand National and Superbike championships.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-fkDAAAAMBAJ&q=1987&pg=RA1-PA46|title=1987 Camel Pro Series to be worth $475,000|date=October 1986 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=16 November 2015 |last1=Assoc|first1=American Motorcyclist}}</ref>
New rules for 1987 banned two-stroke engines from dirt track races; single cylinder engines had a maximum displacement of 600cc, while twin-cylinder had a 750cc limit. Since 1989 only twin-cylinder engines were allowed in mile and half-mile events. Since 1989 the Camel Pro Series reverted as title sponsor for the Grand National Championship; the sponsorship lasted until the end of 1992 season.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=efYDAAAAMBAJ&q=american+motorcyclist+AMA+grand+national+championship&pg=PA44 |title=Parade Lap |date=February 1989 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=1 January 2011 |last1=Assoc |first1=American Motorcyclist }}</ref> New dirt track classes were also introduced designed to attract young riders to the sport and, new rules for machinery were adopted in an effort to make it easier for motorcyclists to compete with motorcycles readily available from manufacturers.<ref name="Dirt-track expansion"/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JvYDAAAAMBAJ&q=dirt%20trackers%20turned%20road%20racers%20american%20motorcyclist&pg=PA16 |title=For The Love Of Dirt Tracking |author=Youngblood, Ed |date=May 1997 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=3 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CfcDAAAAMBAJ&q=american+motorcyclist+most+attended+race+series&pg=PA91 |title=Not Just A Spectator Sport |author=Parsons, Grant |date=May 1998 |work=American Motorcyclist |access-date=2 January 2011 }}</ref> While the Grand National Championship is no longer the premier racing series in the United States, it continues to have a loyal following.<ref name="Dirt-track expansion"/>
In 2002 the single cylinder engines were limited to 550cc (push-rod) or 505cc (OHC); the twin-cylinder class was expanded to include production-derived engines up to 1250cc.
In 2006 the Grand National Championship was split into two separate series: Grand National Championship Singles (for short track and TT events) and Grand National Championship Twins (for half mile and mile events); no overall title was awarded, although in 2007 there was a ''de facto'' champion by virtue of winning both championships. Single-cylinder engines were limited to 450cc.
Since 2010 the Grand National Champion title was reinstated and awarded to the rider who scores the most combined points. New manufacturers began to enter and find success in the sport. In 2010, Ducati earned its first GNC win. On August 24, 2013, three different OEMs finished on the podium for the first time since 1972. One week later, Harley-Davidson failed to make the podium for the first time since 1987.
For 2017, the Grand National Championship was rebranded as the American Flat Track Championship. Changes were also made to the classification of motorcycles, logo, race format, and rules. [[NBCSN]] will air the championship tape-delayed in prime weekend time slots and all live event coverage is available via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.
==Events== * The Mile: A race held on an oval-shaped dirt course approximately one mile in length. The races became popular because of the availability of [[horse racing]] venues around the country, and are typically held during the off-season for horse racing.<ref name="Ridin' To The Races"/> These events usually favour motorcycles with larger engine displacements such as the Indian Motorcycle FTR750 and Harley-Davidson XG750R. The races usually feature numerous lead changes with speeds of up to 140 miles per hour. * The Half-Mile: An event similar to a mile race, also held on an oval-shaped dirt course with a shorter lap distance. Despite the distance, tracks may vary in length, because they are often held on the same venues that hold [[World of Outlaws]] car events. * Short Track: A race held on an oval-shaped dirt course approximately a quarter mile in length.<ref name="Ridin' To The Races"/> These tight courses have been held indoors at venues such as the [[Houston Astrodome]] and favour lighter motorcycles based on [[two-stroke]] [[motocross]] machinery. * TT Steeplechase: A race held on an irregularly shaped dirt course which usually features one right hand turn and one jump.<ref name="Ridin' To The Races"/> This event also favours lighter motorcycles, but larger motorcycles have also been successful. The initials TT stand for Tourist Trophy, taking its name from the days when street-legal motorcycles were known as touring motorcycles hence, a tourist trophy (TT) signified a race classification for street-legal motorcycles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/sports/Tourist-Trophy-races |title=Tourist Trophy races |publisher=britannica.com |access-date=13 March 2022 }}</ref> Some races are billed as ''Super TT,'' which also integrate elements of [[supermoto]]. The [[Sturgis Motorcycle Rally]] round is billed as such, with tarmac, dirt, and various turns on both surfaces.
==AFT SuperTwins==
===Championship=== [[File:BrianJNelson2020SpringfieldMile.jpg|alt=|thumb|408x408px|Briar Bauman leads the AFT SuperTwins pack at the 2020 Springfield Mile. Photo: Brian J Nelson]] AFT SuperTwins is the pinnacle of dirt track motorcycle racing globally, and has been since the professional ranks were formalized as the Grand National Championship in 1954. Riders in this class represents a unity of elite teams and the most-skilled athletes who compete at every round of AFT competition. Each will race on custom-built, twin-cylinder motorcycles generating 90+ horsepower race bar-to-bar at speeds in excess of 140 mph, often drafting to the finish line and requiring a photo finish to determine the race winner. The motorcycles in this class contain the latest in motorsport technology and will be piloted by the fastest two-wheeled athletes on dirt.
====Specifications==== * Horsepower: 90+ * Minimum weight: 310 lbs. * Top speed: 140+ MPH * 0–60 mph: Under 4 seconds * Tires: Dunlop, 19-inch, purpose-built flat track tires * Fuel: VP Racing Fuels T4+ Unleaded * Eligible engines: Only 4-stroke twin-cylinder engines with prior, written approval by AMA Pro Racing are eligible for competition in AFT Twins. This includes both production engines designed for street motorcycles and racing-only engines. * Engine displacement: 649cc – 900cc with restrictions ** Production engines: Engines that were originally under 750cc may be bored and stroked but may not exceed 750cc as a final displacement. ** Racing-only engines: Engines may not exceed 750cc with a maximum allowable overbore of 0.045” per cylinder. Liquid cooled racing-only engines may not exceed 750cc. There is no provision for overbore.
==AFT Singles==
The AFT Singles class is geared for cultivating young dirt track talent as riders hone their skills en route to the AFT Twins ranks. Up-and-coming competitors make their mark aboard production-based 450cc single-cylinder motorcycles offering upwards of 60 horsepower. Racing at speeds faster than 115 mph, the stars of tomorrow battle it out on motorcycles produced by Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha and Zaeta. [[File:SH3-133-730x525.jpg|thumb|386x386px|The AFT Singles at the 2021 Springfield Short Track.]]
===Specifications=== * Horsepower: 60+ * Minimum weight: 230 lbs. * Top speed: 115+ MPH * 0–60 mph: Under 4 seconds * Tires: Dunlop, 19-inch, purpose-built flat track tires * Fuel: VP Racing Fuels C10 Unleaded * Eligible engines: Only 4-stroke single-cylinder motorcycles homologated by AMA Pro Racing may be used in AFT Singles competition. AMA Pro Racing will only review applications for homologation from motorcycle manufacturers or their distributors or designated representatives. Once a motorcycle has been approved, it may be used until such time that it no longer complies with the technical rules. * Engine displacement: 251 – 450cc 4-stroke single-cylinder engines. * All single-cylinder engine displacements are absolute, with no overbore allowances. * Single-cylinder engines must maintain stock bore and stroke.
==AFT Production Twins== As AFT Singles riders progress and set their sights on becoming an AFT Twins rider, the AFT Production Twins class gives up-and-coming athletes the opportunity to race an AFT track on a twin-cylinder race bike without competing against the heavy hitters in contention for the AFT Twins championship. This class serves as a transition between the AFT Singles and AFT Twins classes. [[File:RispoliProductionTwins.jpg|thumb|363x363px|James Rispoli on the No. 43 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R in the AFT Production Twins class.]]
===Specifications=== * Horsepower: 90+ * Minimum Weight: 310 lbs. * Top speed: 140+ MPH * 0–60 mph: Under 4 seconds * Tires: Dunlop, 19-inch, purpose-built flat track tires * Fuel: VP Racing Fuels C10 Unleaded * Eligible engines: Only 4-stroke twin-cylinder mass-production engines with prior, written approval by AMA Pro Racing are eligible for competition in AFT Production Twins. The original engine crank cases or OEM replacements must be utilized to qualify as a production engine. * Engine displacement: (649cc – 800cc with the following restrictions): ** Production engines: Production engines may not exceed 800cc. Bore and stroke may be modified to meet this maximum displacement limit.
==Broadcasting== American Flat Track race broadcasts are produced by [[NASCAR]] Productions LLC.
[[NBC Sports]] held the contract from 2017 to 2021. All 18 rounds air one-hour, tape-delayed telecasts on various nights throughout the summer and fall. Every session was streamed live on [[NBC Sports Gold]]'s TrackPass.
For the 2022 season, AFT will air on [[Fox Sports 1]] and [[Fox Sports 2]], with NASCAR Productions producing the broadcasts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/american-flat-track-races-to-air-on-fox-sports-starting-in-2022/ |title=American Flat Track: Races To Air On FOX Sports Starting In 2022 |website=Road Racing World |date=8 December 2021}}</ref>
Starting in 2022, international broadcasts are now airing in Brazil ([[Rede Bandeirantes]]) and Mexico (Fox Sports Mexico) as part of NASCAR media contracts in both countries because of their production of broadcasts. American Flat Track is now included in NASCAR's media rights package in those two countries that also include rights to three national NASCAR series, a regional NASCAR series, and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the [[Michelin Pilot Challenge]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanflattrack.com/news/view/progressive-aft-lands-three-year-broadcast-deal-latin-america|title=News - Progressive American Flat Track to be broadcast throughout Latin America as part of new agreements with Fox Sports Mexico and Bandeirantes}}</ref>
==Champions== {| class="wikitable" ! Season !Class ! width="13%" | Champion ! Motorcycle ! Format |- ! 1946 | rowspan="60" | |[[Chet Dykgraaf]] |[[Norton Motorcycle Company|Norton]] | rowspan="8" | Single dirt-track race at [[Springfield Mile]]<ref name="aboutAMA">{{cite web|url=http://www.amaproracing.com/ft/about/|title=About AMA Pro Flat Track|publisher=AMA Pro Racing|access-date=24 October 2015|archive-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005055417/http://www.amaproracing.com/ft/about/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- ! 1947 |[[Jimmy Chann]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1948 |[[Jimmy Chann]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1949 |[[Jimmy Chann]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1950 |[[Larry Headrick]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1951 |[[Bobby Hill (motorcyclist)|Bobby Hill]] |[[Indian (motorcycle)|Indian]] |- ! rowspan=2|1952 |[[Bobby Hill (motorcyclist)|Bobby Hill]] |[[Indian (motorcycle)|Indian]] |- |[[Tommy Byars]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1953 |[[Bill Tuman]] |[[Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company|Indian]] |- ! 1954 |[[Joe Leonard]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] | rowspan="32" | Combined road-racing and dirt-track events<ref name="aboutAMA" /> |- ! 1955 |[[Brad Andres]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1956 |[[Joe Leonard]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1957 |[[Joe Leonard]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1958 |[[Carroll Resweber]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1959 |[[Carroll Resweber]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1960 |[[Carroll Resweber]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1961 |[[Carroll Resweber]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1962 |[[Bart Markel]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1963 |[[Dick Mann]] |[[Matchless]] |- ! 1964 |[[Roger Reiman]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1965 |[[Bart Markel]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1966 |[[Bart Markel]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1967 |[[Gary Nixon]] |[[Triumph Engineering Co Ltd|Triumph]] |- ! 1968 |[[Gary Nixon]] |[[Triumph Engineering Co Ltd|Triumph]] |- ! 1969 |[[Mert Lawwill]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1970 |[[Gene Romero]] |[[Triumph Engineering Co Ltd|Triumph]] |- ! 1971 |[[Dick Mann]] |[[Birmingham Small Arms Company|BSA]] |- ! 1972 |[[Mark Brelsford]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1973 |[[Kenny Roberts]] |[[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] |- ! 1974 |[[Kenny Roberts]] |[[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] |- ! 1975 |[[Gary Scott (motorcyclist)|Gary Scott]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1976 |[[Jay Springsteen]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1977 |[[Jay Springsteen]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1978 |[[Jay Springsteen]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1979 |[[Steve Eklund]] |[[Harley-Davidson]], [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] |- ! 1980 |[[Randy Goss]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1981 |[[Mike Kidd]] |[[Harley-Davidson]], [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] |- ! 1982 |[[Ricky Graham (motorcyclist)|Ricky Graham]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1983 |[[Randy Goss]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1984 |[[Ricky Graham (motorcyclist)|Ricky Graham]] |[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] |- ! 1985 |[[Bubba Shobert]] |[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] |- ! 1986 |[[Bubba Shobert]] |[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] | rowspan="20" | Dirt-track events only<ref name="Semmeling">{{cite web|url=http://www.wegcircuits.nl/AmericanMotorcycleRaces.pdf#page=32|title=American Motorcycle Races|format=PDF|first=Rob|last=Semmeling|pages=32–33|access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> Road-racing rounds not counted towards the Grand National Championship anymore. |- ! 1987 |[[Bubba Shobert]] |[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] |- ! 1988 |[[Scott Parker (motorcyclist)|Scott Parker]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1989 |[[Scott Parker (motorcyclist)|Scott Parker]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1990 |[[Scott Parker (motorcyclist)|Scott Parker]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1991 |[[Scott Parker (motorcyclist)|Scott Parker]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1992 |[[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1993 |[[Ricky Graham (motorcyclist)|Ricky Graham]] |[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] |- ! 1994 |[[Scott Parker (motorcyclist)|Scott Parker]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1995 |[[Scott Parker (motorcyclist)|Scott Parker]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1996 |[[Scott Parker (motorcyclist)|Scott Parker]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1997 |[[Scott Parker (motorcyclist)|Scott Parker]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1998 |[[Scott Parker (motorcyclist)|Scott Parker]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- ! 1999 |[[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]] |[[Harley-Davidson]], [[ATK motorcycles|ATK]] |- ! 2000 |[[Joe Kopp]] |[[Harley-Davidson]], [[Rotax]] |- ! 2001 |[[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]] |[[Harley-Davidson]], [[Rotax]], [[ATK motorcycles|ATK]] |- ! 2002 |[[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]] |[[Harley-Davidson]], [[Rotax]], [[VOR Motorcycles|VOR]], [[ATK motorcycles|ATK]] |- ! 2003 |[[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]] |[[Harley-Davidson]], [[Rotax]], [[VOR Motorcycles|VOR]]<ref name="motorsport.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.motorsport.com/ama/news/ft-carr-opens-title-defense-at-daytona/|title=Carr opens title defense at Daytona|work=motorsport.com|date=26 February 2004|access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> |- ! 2004 |[[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]] |[[Harley-Davidson]], [[Rotax]], [[KTM]]<ref name="motorsport.com" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/former-road-racer-chris-carr-ama-grand-national-champion/|title=Former Road Racer Chris Carr, AMA Grand National Champion|publisher=Roadracing World Publishing|date=27 September 2004|access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> |- ! 2005 |[[Chris Carr (motorcyclist)|Chris Carr]] |[[Harley-Davidson]], [[KTM]] |- ! rowspan="2" |''2006'' |Twins |[[Kenny Coolbeth]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] | rowspan="8" | From 2006 to 2009, the championship was replaced by two separate series for two-cylinders (''Twins'') and single-cylinder (''Singles'') bikes. No overall title awarded.<ref name="aboutAMA" /> <br />Twins events were held on mile and half-mile courses, while Singles events were held on short-track and TT courses.<ref name="aboutAMA" /> |- |Singles |[[Jake Johnson (motorcyclist)|Jake Johnson]] |[[Suzuki]] |- ! rowspan="2" |''2007'' |Twins | rowspan="2" |[[Kenny Coolbeth]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- |Singles |[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] |- ! rowspan="2" |''2008'' |Twins |[[Kenny Coolbeth]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- |Singles |[[Jake Johnson (motorcyclist)|Jake Johnson]] |[[Suzuki]] |- ! rowspan="2" |''2009'' |Twins |[[Jared Mees]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- |Singles |[[Sammy Halbert]] |[[Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine|Yamaha]] |- ! rowspan="2" | 2010 |Twins | rowspan="2" |[[Jake Johnson (motorcyclist)|Jake Johnson]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] | rowspan="10" | Overall title awarded to the rider with the highest total after combining the points earned in Twins and Singles championships.<ref name="aboutAMA" /> |- |Singles ||[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] |- ! rowspan="2" | 2011 |Twins | rowspan="2" |[[Jake Johnson (motorcyclist)|Jake Johnson]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- |Singles |[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] |- ! rowspan="2" | 2012 |Twins | rowspan="2" |[[Jared Mees]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- |Singles |[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] |- ! rowspan="2" | 2013 |Twins | rowspan="2" |[[Brad Baker (motorcyclist)|Brad Baker]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- |Singles |[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] |- ! rowspan="2" | 2014 |Twins | rowspan="2" |[[Jared Mees]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- |Singles |[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] |- ! rowspan="2" |2015 |Twins | rowspan="2" |[[Jared Mees]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] | rowspan="3" | Unified championship (''GNC1'') including both Twins and Singles events.<ref name="aboutAMA" /> |- |Singles |[[Honda Motor Company|Honda]] |- ! 2016 | |[[Bryan Smith (motorcyclist)|Bryan Smith]] |[[Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine|Kawasaki]] |- ! rowspan="2" | 2017 |Twins |[[Jared Mees]] |[[Indian (motorcycle)|Indian]] | rowspan="10" | American Flat Track Championship |- |Singles |[[Kolby Carlile]] |[[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] |- ! rowspan="2" | 2018 |Twins |[[Jared Mees]] |[[Indian (motorcycle)|Indian]] |- |Singles |[[Dan Bromley]] |[[KTM]] |- ! rowspan="3" | 2019 |Twins |[[Briar Bauman]] |[[Indian (motorcycle)|Indian]] |- |Production Twins |[[Cory Texter]] |[[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] |- |Singles |[[Dalton Gaithier]] |[[Husqvarna Motorcycles|Husqvarna]] |- ! rowspan="3" |''2020'' |SuperTwins |[[Briar Bauman]] |[[Indian (motorcycle)|Indian]] |- |Production Twins |[[James Rispoli (motorcyclist)|James Rispoli]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- |Singles |[[Dallas Daniels]] |[[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] |- ! rowspan="3" |2021 |SuperTwins |[[Jared Mees]] |[[Indian (motorcycle)|Indian]] | rowspan="3" | |- |Production Twins |[[Cory Texter]] |[[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] |- |Singles |[[Dallas Daniels]] |[[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] |- ! rowspan="3" |2022 |SuperTwins |[[Jared Mees]] |[[Indian (motorcycle)|Indian]] | rowspan="3" | |- |Production Twins |[[Jesse Janisch]] |[[Harley-Davidson]] |- |Singles |[[Kody Kopp]] |[[KTM]] |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.americanflattrack.com/ American Flat Track Website]
{{American Flat Track racetracks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:American Flat Track}} [[Category:AMA Grand National Championship]] [[Category:Motorcycle racing series|Ama Grand National]] [[Category:Dirt track racing in the United States]]