Texter Makes History for Husqvarna with Dominant Victory at Lima

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Texter Makes History for Husqvarna with Dominant Victory at Lima

AFT GNC Half Mile, Lima, OH 6-30-2018

Lima, Ohio (1 July  2018) Shayna Texter made American Flat Track (AFT) history on Saturday, leading start to finish to give Husqvarna its first Grand National Championship victory in the Indian Motorcycle Lima Half-Mile at the Allen County Fairgrounds. 

It was the 14th AFT Singles triumph for the Pennsylvania native, but first for her new team – ST52  Racing – which debuted in 2018 competition. 

It came on the heels of back-to-back third place finishes on mile tracks, after scoring a pair of second-place showings on half-miles early in the season.

AFT GNC Half Mile, Lima, OH 6-30-2018

Texter ran the table on the rough, pea gravel track usually used for horse racing. Fastest in opening practice, she also led qualifying and won both her heat race and semi aboard the No. 52 Husqvarna FC 450.

“It definitely gave me more of a boost going into the main event,” said Texter of her strong performances heading into the main. “It’s awesome to give Husqvarna its first win in Flat Track – it’s a dream come true. Hats off to my entire team, Husqvarna and all my sponsors – Roof Systems, Parts Unlimited, Drag Specialties, everyone behind me. It’s been a long year, and I’m so happy to get this one and give my sister the victory lap.”

So strong was Texter’s run that the main event victory was almost anticlimactic.

After getting a strong start, Texter quickly broke from the pack to run out front and score a win by 4.765-seconds.

In her heat race, she dove to the inside to take the lead. Then in the semi, she faced repeated challenges on the inside – including on the final lap – but was able to come back each time to win by 0.377-seconds. 

“We had an awesome bike and I’m so happy to get this win with Husqvarna,” she said. “The bike was awesome and we didn’t have to make any adjustments. I wanted to make some changes for the main event, but my mechanics Justin and Barry both said no, we haven’t changed a thing all day. That’s how some of these days go. When you’re on, you’re on, and it’s awesome.”

The victory moved Texter to third in the AFT Singles standings, trailing second by one point with eight races remaining.

“It’s incredible to win at Lima – I never in a million years thought I would win this race,” Texter said. “I think spending all year listening to my boyfriend Briar (Bauman) about Lima every single day since he won last year kind of rubbed off on me a little bit. I did what he did last year – just hold it wide open and try for the best. A big thank you to FMF and Roof Systems for what they do for this ST52 Racing program.” 

Texter will have no time to rest on her victory. The AFT competitors return to action on Saturday, July 7, for the Harley-Davidson New York Short Track at Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, N.Y. Opening ceremonies begin at 6:45 p.m., with the AFT Singles main event at 9:29 p.m. All on-track activity will be streamed live on www.FansChoice.TV.