Texter Takes Thrilling Victory for Husqvarna in AFT Singles Finale

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (6 October 2018) – ST52 Racing’s Shayna Texter prevailed in an incredible sprint to the checkered flag on board the No. 52 Roof Systems/Parts Unlimited Husqvarna FC450, winning Saturday evening’s inaugural Meadowlands Mile to end the 2018 American Flat Track Singles season in third place in the championship. 

Riding the No. 52 Roof Systems/Parts Unlimited Husqvarna FC450, Texter briefly lost the lead in the closing 100 yards, only to regain the position coming to the stripe for her third AFT victory of the season. The official margin of victory was 0.006 seconds – about three inches.

“It’s been an incredible year for us,” said Texter, who formed her own team on the eve of the season and brought Husqvarna into the sport for its first full season. “It’s great to finally win on a mile – everyone’s been asking me when I was going to win on a mile this year, and I’m super-stoked to get it at the end of the year.”

The race for the victory also decided third position in the final standings, with Kolby Carlile entering the event only one point behind Texter.

“It’s great to finish third in the points,” Texter said. “Now, we’ve got some unfinished business heading into next year.”

Carlile led the opening half of the race, but Texter erased his once-comfortable lead and dominated the final laps.

“Kolby (Carlile) and I have been battling each and every weekend for two years, and it was great to battle handlebar-to-handlebar with him across the finish,” Texter said. “When you’re out here going 100-mph plus you’ve definitely got to trust the guys you’re racing with.”

The rider from Willow Street, Pennsylvania also won her eight-lap heat race, going back and forth with 2018 Singles champion Dan Bromley before winning by 0.059 seconds.

Slipping to eighth at the start of the 15-lap feature, Texter quickly recovered and finished the first lap in second position. However, a red flag for a blown engine by Cameron Smith resulted in a complete restart. 

Carlile managed to get away with the lead at the second green light, while Texter was involved in a tight six-rider battle for second. Texter managed to take over second position with a power move to the outside on lap five, and then set her sights on the leader. She needed only three laps to catch Carlile, with the two riders putting on a torrid back-and-forth battle all the way to the checkered flag.

Next for Texter is the American Flat Track Grand Awards Party, set for Sunday at Manhattan’s Classic Car Club at Hudson River Park’s Pier 76. She wrapped up the season with three victories – upping her career total to 16, remaining the lone woman to win in GNC competition. She also had three runner-up finishes and a pair of thirds for eight visits to the podium.

Sunday’s Grand Awards Party will be streamed live on FansChoice.tv, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET.