This Sunday’s Harley-Davidson Springfield Mile II is already one of the most anticipated motorcycle events of the year. Records have been set, championships have been won, and careers have been forged in this Midwestern crucible of speed.
As always, the Harley-Davidson Springfield Mile II/ Springfield Short Track weekend is chock-full of interesting entertainment options…
FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2018
Rookie Class of ’79, American Flat Track’s Official Charity Partner, is hosting a golf outing to benefit Parker Norris, who was injured back in June but who plans to attend Springfield this weekend. To enter, sign up at https://www.amaft79.com/.
Rookie Class of ’79 will also host a street party on Friday evening at 5 p.m. at Boone’s Saloon, located behind the Illinois State Capital. AFT stars will be there to sign autographs, and there will be memorabilia sales and special auction items to help injured riders.
Amateur Short Track racing commences on Friday, including the AMA Vintage National Championship. Practice begins at 3 p.m., and racing commences at 5 p.m. It’s the perfect warm-up for Saturday’s and Sunday’s heated Pro competition.
Shayna Texter autograph signing at Hall’s Husqvarna, located at 3801 N. Dirksen Parkway, will take place on Friday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
Bultaco Astro Challenge Vintage racing happens on Saturday, alongside AFT Singles and All Star National Championship competition. Come watch Vintage stars of the sport, including Joe Kopp, Garth Brow, Davey Durrelle, Greg Tysor, Lance Jones, Kevin Varnes, Jamie James and Class of ’79’s own Charlie Roberts mix it up on ’70s-era two-strokes!
An autograph signing with H-D factory team members Sammy Halbert, Brandon Robinson and Jarod Vanderkooi will take place at Hall’s Harley-Davidson, located at 2301 N. Dirksen Parkway, on Saturday afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m.
The gates for Saturday’s Springfield Short Track will open at noon CT, with qualifying starting at 4 p.m. CT and racing beginning at 7 p.m. CT. The AFT Singles main event is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. CT. Catch all the AFT live-streaming action beginning at 5 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. CT on fanschoice.tv
Tickets for the Springfield Short Track are $20 and are available at springfieldmile.org
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2018
Past Springfield Mile Winners including Bill Tuman, Scott Parker, Chris Carr, Kevin Atherton, Bryan Smith, Kenny Coolbeth Jr., Jake Johnson, Jared Mees and Jeffrey Carver Jr. will be honored during the opening ceremonies.
There will be a Harley-Davidson XR750 display featuring the XR that Jeffrey Carver Jr. rode when he raced for Kiesow Racing. Fans can sit on the bike and snap photos.
Park and Display Bike Show by Vintage Iron Riders for bikes 25 years or older.
Live music from ZZ Trip will be featured from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the grandstands.
Food Trucks galore will provide a unique assortment of food and refreshments.
The ABATE Bike Drawing and Parade Lap led by Grand Marshal Scott Parker will take place during intermission to aid Parker Norris and Brad Baker.
The gates for Sunday’s Harley-Davidson Springfield Mile II will open at 9 a.m. CT, with practice and qualifying starting at 10 a.m. CT. An autograph signing and open-paddock fan walk are scheduled for noon CT, with racing beginning at 1:30 p.m. CT. The main events are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. CT (for the AFT Production Twins) and 3:30 p.m. CT (for the AFT Twins). Catch all the AFT live-streaming action on FansChoice.tv beginning at 11 a.m. ET/ 10 a.m. CT at fanschoice.tv
Tickets for the Springfield Mile II start at $45. Premier Pass tickets are $140 and include a reserved Grandstand seat, a pit pass, a T-shirt, a program and catering. Kids tickets are $30.
Get tickets for both events at springfieldmile.org
For a thoroughly in-depth Springfield Mile II experience with flag-to-flag coverage of all three main events (AFT Twins, Production Twins and AFT Singles) enhanced by drone and onboard footage, be sure to catch the NBC Sports feature telecast of the Harley-Davidson Springfield Mile II and Springfield Short Track when it premieres on NBCSN on Saturday, September 22, at 2:30 p.m. ET/ 11:30 p.m. PT. Be sure to check your local listings, or for the complete broadcast schedule for AFT on NBCSN, please visit americanflattrack.com/events-nbcsn/
Finally, if you’re in Milwaukee for Harley-Davidson’s 115th celebration, keep in mind that Springfield is only a 4.5-hour ride from Milwaukee on Sunday. It’s a great way to cap off your weekend!
How to Watch
NBCSN and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of American Flat Track. For the 2018 season, NBCSN’s coverage of AFT moves to highly coveted weekend afternoon programming slots within two weeks of each event. The complete schedule for AFT on NBCSN can be viewed at americanflattrack.com/events-nbcsn/. FansChoice.tv remains a cornerstone of AFT’s digital strategy, providing live-streaming coverage of every event on AFT’s live page, while previous events and exclusive features are available on AFT’s VOD page.
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