DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 31, 2026) — Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, today announced Memphis Shades as the entitlement sponsor of the Ventura Short Track on April 25 and the presenting sponsor of Nashville Short Track on June 6.

The Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track brings flat track to Ventura Raceway on April 25, delivering the world's best motorcycle riders to the ocean front property. The Nashville Short Track presented by Memphis Shades will take the series to Sons of Speed Nashville Short Track on June 6, bringing bar-to-bar racing to one of the series' most vibrant markets.

"Memphis Shades is excited to be part of American Flat Track. From supporting riders to being trackside, we believe in the impact racing has on the motorcycle community," said Hillary Combest, Director of Sales and Marketing. "We're proud to return as a sponsor of the Ventura Short Track and to be part of the Nashville Short Track in our home state of Tennessee this summer. We're looking forward to both events and continuing to support the sport and its riders."

Memphis Shades is known for its American-made motorcycle windshields and fairings, with a reputation built on quality craftsmanship and rider-focused design. Its continued investment in Progressive American Flat Track reflects a shared commitment to performance and the motorcycling community.

For more information about Memphis Shades, visit https://memphisshades.com/aft.

Next Up

The 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season continues with the Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track at Ventura Raceway on April 25.

For tickets to Memphis Shades Ventura Short Track, visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-ventura-short-track-168769.

For more event and series information, visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

How to Watch

FloRacing
For those that can't catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

FS1
FOX Sports will provide in-depth coverage of select Progressive American Flat Track events, featuring rider features and onboard cameras. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track's television premieres will be posted to https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.

AMA Pro Racing Media Contact:

AMA Pro Racing

(386) 492-1014
communications@amaproracing.com

About AMA Pro Racing

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines from its headquarters in Daytona Beach, Fla. Learn more at www.amaproracing.com.

April 5

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey from Nationwide finds that driving in America is becoming less predictable and less trusted. While most drivers rate their own driving highly, many say the behavior from others on the road is getting worse. Distraction, aggression and recklessness are rising, making everyday driving more stressful and harder to anticipate.

Nearly 9 in 10 drivers say phone use behind the wheel has increased in the past year, alongside similar spikes in aggressive and reckless driving. As a result, 40% say they experience stress while driving, and more than two-thirds frequently witness road rage.

That erosion of trust is reshaping how families think about safety. In fact, 4 in 10 parents say they would trust an autonomous vehicle over their teen driver in certain situations, despite ongoing skepticism about the technology.

Even the most experienced drivers are seeing the same shift. Company drivers, who operate a vehicle as one of their core job responsibilities and spend more time on the road than most, report worsening behaviors across the board, including increases in distraction, recklessness and unsafe driving around larger vehicles.

Parents are weighing two imperfect options

Parents are choosing between two risks they don't fully trust. Anxiety is widespread among families with teen drivers: 91% of parents say they are at least somewhat anxious about their teen's driving, and nearly half (49%) say driving is stressful for their teen.

At the same time, confidence in young drivers remains low. More than 8 in 10 consumers (84%) and parents (85%) believe teens are more distracted than other age groups. Just 12% rate teen drivers as very good or excellent. Nearly nine in 10 also say teens need more behind-the-wheel training.

As that anxiety builds, many parents are rethinking what safety looks like. In fact, 40% of parents with teen drivers believe that autonomous vehicles may be a safer option than their teens learning to drive.

Company drivers reinforce the trend

Company drivers who operate a vehicle daily as part of their job responsibilities see this shift every day on the road.

Spending more time behind the wheel than most, they offer a clear view into how driving behavior is changing. They report noticeable increases in risky driving behaviors when compared to results from the 2025 Driving Behaviors study, including a 10-point rise in distraction (77%) and recklessness (73%) and a 15-point increase (74%) in unsafe driving around commercial vehicles.

That behavior is making an already demanding job more stressful. Nearly half of commercial drivers (47%) say they feel stressed, exhausted and frustrated while driving for work, and 60% worry that aggressive drivers could cause an accident.

"Driving no longer feels as predictable or routine as it once did," said Mark McGhiey, Commercial Risk Management Leader at Nationwide. "Many describe a road environment with more distractions, more tension and less trust in the people around them. These conditions are particularly concerning for company drivers as many worry about the threat of accidents, injuries and the ripple effects on future employment opportunities."

It's not just regular drivers causing friction; company drivers are noticing the same trends of faster and more reckless driving among their peers as well. One quarter admits they are at least sometimes distracted behind the wheel, showing no group is immune to risky behavior.

What drivers can still control

While drivers can't control the behavior of others, they can take steps to help reduce their own risk in an environment that feels increasingly unpredictable.

"Drivers are noticing changes in driving behavior on the road, and that awareness is an important first step toward improving road safety," said Chris Lee, VP of Personal Lines Auto at Nationwide. "While we can't control every driver around us, we can control how we drive. Reducing distractions, staying alert, and giving other vehicles more space are simple actions that can make a real difference. Programs like Nationwide's Focused Driving Rewards® are designed to help drivers build those safer habits and keep their attention where it belongs—on the road."

Nationwide's Focused Driving Rewards is designed to help drivers put those habits into practice. The program encourages reduced phone handling behind the wheel by tracking behaviors like handheld calls or screen taps, and rewards focused driving with gift cards. It is open to both Nationwide members and non-customers.

Businesses can also leverage insurance carrier-provided resources, like guides for safely handling aggressive or distracted drivers. They can also lean into tech solutions like dashcams that capture critical evidence in the event of an accident caused by another vehicle, as well as GPS telematics, which can help proactively reduce risk through driver monitoring, coaching and route optimization.

Methodology

Nationwide commissioned Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) to conduct a nationally representative online survey of 1,005 general consumers, 400 parents of teen drivers, and 400 commercial drivers from January 14-28, 2026.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor's. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance.

married

Austin, Texas (March 22, 2026) – This weekend, from Friday through Sunday, the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup completed the first test in the history of the championship at the Circuit of the Americas, just days ahead of its inaugural race weekend at the same venue during the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas.

The series officially kicked off with the bike lottery ceremony, where each rider received the race machine that will accompany them throughout the season. Over the following two intense days of adrenaline-filled track action, all nine confirmed riders experienced for the first time the unmistakable sound and character of the Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin powered Road Glide race machines. Eric Granado (Joe Rascal Team) set the fastest lap of the test with a best time of 2'13.413, finishing half a second ahead of his teammate Archie McDonald, with Oscar Gutierrez (Niti Racing) completing the top three.
Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup Eric GranadoEric Granado (Joe Rascal Racing)

Sunday's schedule also included a shortened race simulation, allowing teams and riders to rehearse the distinctive start procedure that will define race weekends, with garages located inside the fan zone to bring spectators directly into the racing environment.

Jeffrey Schuessler, Director of Global Racing Programs at Harley-Davidson:
"This first test represented an important milestone for the championship and for everyone involved in the series. Across the weekend the riders completed 578 timed laps, which gave us very positive feedback in terms of reliability and overall performance. It was also exciting to see the riders experience for the first time the sound, torque and unique performance of these race bikes. We noticed interesting differences in riding styles, with some riders bringing a smooth and technical approach, while others showed a more aggressive point-and-shoot style. It was a valuable moment of comparison and learning, allowing teams and riders to deepen their understanding of the racing bikes, the track and each other ahead of the first races."
Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup Travis WymanTravis Wyman (Saddlemen Racing)

Eric Granado – Joe Rascal Racing
"This test was amazing. We completed a lot of laps and spent a lot of time working on the bike to understand it better. Everything was new for me, a new machine, a new team, and a different way of working, and the bike is very different from what I was used to. The riding position is quite unique and you need some time to adapt, but after a few laps you start to feel comfortable and build confidence. The bike behaves very well and you can really push it to the limit, which I enjoyed a lot. You can clearly feel that it is built as a true race machine. The sound of the engine is incredible, honestly one of the best I have ever heard. For a rider it is very special to feel that kind of character. I also had a very good feeling from the front, which helps you carry a lot of corner speed on entry. The torque is very impressive. Every time you open the throttle, in any gear, you feel strong power that pushes you out of the corners very quickly. You need to adapt your riding style a bit, but once you understand how to use it, you can really push and enjoy it. We are on a good path. We worked through many setup options and now we are getting ready for the first race. It was important to test on the same track where we will race, so we already have some useful references."

Attention now turns to the opening round of the championship, which will take place next weekend at the Circuit of the Americas, with practice and qualifying on Friday, March 27, followed by Race 1 on Saturday and Race 2 on Sunday.
Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup Cody Wyman

STOCKHOLM, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE: ALV and SSE: ALIVsdb), has developed its first complete wearable protection for motorcycle riders: a vest with an integrated airbag system designed to reduce critical injury risks in the event of a crash. This system is being launched in collaboration with RS Taichi, a leading manufacturer of motorcycle riding gear, who will bring it to market. This initiative complements Autoliv's motorcycle and bike offer and supports its strategy to explore opportunities beyond its core business of airbags, seatbelts and steering wheels for light vehicles.

By expanding into new areas such as motorcycle rider protection, Autoliv demonstrates its commitment to innovation and market diversification. The collaboration between Autoliv and RS Taichi represents an important step in introducing advanced motorcycle rider protection to the market. Along with the recently announced launch of the airbag for the Yamaha Tricity 300 commuter scooter, both initiatives reinforce Autoliv's strategic agenda and support our vision of Saving More Lives.

While Autoliv has previously supplied individual components for airbag vests, this new airbag system, featured in the new RS Taichi Airbag Vest T-SABE, represents Autoliv's first fully developed wearable protection that has been engineered from initial concept through complete system validation. Building on this foundation, RS Taichi applied its expertise to enhancing its performance in real-world riding conditions.

"The collaboration with RS Taichi serves as another milestone in delivering on our commitment to expand mobility safety and develop cutting-edge protective systems for motorcycle riders. By working closely with partners like RS Taichi, who design and manufacture motorcycle rider gear, we can bring proven protection and raising the bar for rider safety," said Fabien Dumont, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Autoliv.

"Our passion for creating high quality riding gear has now come together with Autoliv, a company that leads the global standard in safety. The new vest T-SABE is designed not only to protect riders, but also to provide a comfortable and safe riding experience helping create a long lasting and enjoyable motorcycle lifestyle," said Hirohiko Yoshimura President & CEO of RS Taichi.

Motorcycle crash scenarios are highly dynamic and unpredictable, requiring advanced protective systems that respond with absolute precision. Autoliv's new wearable airbag system applies the company's real-life safety research, biomechanical expertise, and rigorous validation directly to motorcycle use.

The airbag system has been engineered as a scalable platform that can be integrated into multiple garment designs and tailored to different motorcycle riding styles and market segments. This approach aligns with Autoliv's long‑term ambition to enable modular, high‑performance safety solutions across a wide range of applications and global markets.

The RS Taichi Airbag Vest T-SABE will be launched at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show on March 27-29, 2026.

More information: Airbags for Motorcycle Riders

Images: Autoliv Media Gallery

SOURCE Autoliv

CONTACT: Inquiries:  Media: media@autoliv.com Gabriella Etemad, Tel +46 70 612 64 24, Emelie Ericson, Tel +46 70 957 81 35

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 21, 2026) – Reigning Mission AFT SuperTwins king Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) successfully defended Yamaha's home turf to complete a clean sweep of victories for the brand in Saturday night's Yamaha Atlanta Short Track, Round 3 of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.

Daniels entered the event saddled both with the pressure of a pair of second-place finishes in the DAYTONA double opener and a winless prior record at Senoia Raceway. Amping it up further was the fact that even though he earned pole position, his Yamaha MT-07 was flanked on the front row by a trio of threatening Harley-Davidson XG750Rs piloted by  two-time Grand National Champion Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Jacob Construction/Parts Plus Harley-Davidson XG750R), rookie sensation Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R), and perennial podium presence Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R).

However, the knowledge that Bauman and Robinson beat him in Senoia, Georgia, to go 1-2 a year ago, and that class newcomer Kopp twice outclassed him in DAYTONA, was still not enough to rattle the unshakeable Daniels.

The champ blasted into the lead from the start and spent the following eight minutes and two laps brushing off Kopp's continual attempts to goad him into even a minor bobble in hopes of identifying a way past. Instead, Daniels locked down on the low line and never put a wheel wrong. 

Kopp eased up late to stretch the difference to a deceptive 0.988 seconds. The victory was Yamaha's first premier-class win at its home track and topped off an evening that earlier saw it claim its first and second triumphs in any class at the venue.

"It was a tough race," Daniels said. "We never stopped working all day, and I felt Kody right there the whole Main Event. I needed to keep my head down because I felt like my first half of the race was so strong. The track was so slippery, it was hard to hit your marks. I'm so pumped. This place has been nagging at me. I've had so many great battles here but just kept losing out, getting seconds and thirds. 

"I want to give this one up to Yamaha. I wanted to win this one for them. We went up to the headquarters and to the plant this week, and everybody is so invested in this. It's not just us – it's everyone in a blue shirt. They want to see us win, and this one is for them."

Meanwhile, while Kopp could not break Daniels, his performance further solidified the early indications that he has the potential to emerge a full-blown title threat in his rookie campaign.

Bauman – who guided the XG750R to its first-ever Mission AFT SuperTwins win in Senoia a year ago – returned to the box in Georgia, but only following a hugely entertaining scrap with Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere's BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke).

Fisher reeled in Bauman by way of a hooked-up high line, ultimately passing the RWR pilot at half-distance.  Bauman adjusted his lines in turn, and the two then engaged in a back-and-forth tilt to the checkered flag.

Behind them, Robinson not only made it three Harleys in the top five, rookie Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust Advisors Harley-Davidson XG750R) made it four in the top six to close out a very strong showing for the brand on a night that Yamaha largely owned the spotlight.

Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) finished in seventh, a mere 0.078 seconds adrift of RoosEvans, while Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet), Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Parts Bros/D&D Cycles/Fairway Ford Aprilia Tuareg 660), and Henry Wiles (No. 911 J&M Logging/Ray C's Harley-Davidson Kawasaki Ninja 650) combined to push the number of brands inside the top ten to six.

Kopp's DAYTONA double triumph keeps him ahead of Daniels in the early-season points race (65-61) with third-ranked Fisher some 22 points back of first.

KICKER AFT Singles

What figured to be a showdown between reigning KICKER AFT Singles champion Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and the on-form Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) turned into a masterclass courtesy of veteran ace Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Yamaha YZ450F).

While Porter accomplished his initial goal of beating Drane to the holeshot, Brunner slipped in behind and hounded his less experienced adversary.

Brunner made his move with just over four minutes to go, throwing his Yamaha underneath Porter's Honda to grab hold of the lead.

Porter was soon further victimized by a freight train consisting of Justin Jones (No. 91 Fairway Ford Chevy GMC Yamaha YZ450F), Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), and Drane, falling from first to fifth in a matter of just over a minute.

While Jones creeped forward and Saathoff actively sought for an advantageous line in third, Brunner stayed strong and consistent at the front en route to a 0.721-second margin of victory.

The win was the ninth of Brunner's career and furthers his remarkable streak of winning at least one Main Event in each of his six career KICKER AFT Singles campaigns.

"It was just incredible, "Brunner said. "As soon as I pulled off after that heat race, I looked at my mechanic, Jerimiah (Duffy), and said, 'I know exactly what to do – this is shaping up to be exactly like my home track, Lawrenceburg Motorcycle Speedway.' I put in that setup I ran every Friday night since I was three years old, and lo and behold, it worked."

Dark horse Jones held on to hand Yamaha a popular 1-2 with a huge contingent of the brand's employees in attendance, while Saathoff backed up last year's Senoia win with another podium at the track.

Drane's fourth saw his record-smashing podium streak snapped at 14. However, it was still good enough to keep him in the championship lead by six points over Brunner (56-50) and nine over Saathoff (47).

Porter, meanwhile, lost one additional position late, getting dropped to sixth by teammate Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R).

Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R), Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F), Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R), and Jordan Jean (No. 56 Ray C's Harley Davidson Yamaha YZ450F) completed the top ten.

AFT ProSport 450

Sam Drane (No. 7 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) made it two-for-two in Road to AFT Amateur Invitationals with a walk-away win in the evening's AFT ProSport 450 Main Event.

Similar to his performance at the DAYTONA opener, Drane did so despite not winning the previous day's AMA-sanctioned Mission Foods CTR Showcase Event. In fact, he didn't even finish on the box on Friday, but it was a completely different story on Saturday.

Drane rocketed off the start and left a field jam-packed with future stars in his wake, ultimately taking the checkered flag with a 2.385-second margin of victory. In doing so, he actually took the honors of delivering Yamaha its first Main Event race win at its home track.

Fellow Australian Jake Paige (No. 55 Paige Racing GASGAS MC 450F) fought his way up to second with DAYTONA runner-up Ryder Bitz-Hay (No. 14 Bitz-Hay Racing KTM 450 SX-F) rounding out the podium.

Cody Mishey (No. 26 Team Mishey Racing Honda CRF450R)  executed a late pass to take fourth away from Jett Katarzy (No. 17 1st Impressions Husqvarna FC450) as the two completed the top five.

Next Up

Progressive American Flat Track will head out to the Pacific Coast on Saturday, April 25, for stunning views and spectacular racing at the Ventura Short Track. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-ventura-short-track-168769 to purchase your tickets today.

How to Watch

FloRacing

For those that can't catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.

FS1
FOX Sports coverage of the Yamaha Short Track, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, March 29, at 12:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. PT). The full listing of American Flat Track's television premieres can be found at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.