With Road America in Harley-Davidson's backyard, the Motor Company clearly wanted to prove that their factory team could compete at the highest level in the King of the Baggers series. Given that the Screamin' Eagle factory team finished first and second, followed by a Vance & Hines supported Harley in third, it would seem the bar and shield has a lot to be proud of after some spectacular racing over the weekend in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. In just the second of three scheduled races for the King of the Baggers tour, Harley-Davidson dethroned Indian and showed just how thrilling big twin racing can be on the track.
Harley-Davidson Wins In Wisconsin
In the first King of the Baggers race this season at Road Atlanta, Tyler O'Hara was able to take the top spot on his Mission Foods S&S Cycle Indian Challenger. That made him a favorite going into the race at Road America, but Kyle Wyman earned the pole on his Harley-Davidson, previewing his ability to ride at the front of the pack. When the green flag dropped, Kyle and Tyler showed they were a cut above the rest and the pair quickly built an insurmountable gap between themselves and the other racers.
As ridiculous as bagger racing sounds, Kyle Wyman, Tyler O'Hara, and the other riders in the field have shown the appeal of this series. These bikes are big and loud, but damn they put on a good show. At Road America, Tyler hung with Kyle, as they both flung their behemoth bikes into some insane corners. Race commentator Greg White was eager to point out during the coverage that the riders were leaned over so far, they were actually dragging their saddlebags. As the bikes got loose exiting those corners, the Harley-Davidson team showed a bit of an edge and in time O'Hara's Indian experienced a mechanical failure, forcing him out of the race.
Oh Brother, What A Great King Of The Baggers Race
When O'Hara was forced to bow out, Kyle Wyman was able to cruise to a first-place finish. And after crossing the line, Kyle was joined by his brother and Screamin' Eagle teammate Travis Wyman who was able to hold on to second. Rounding out the podium was Hayden Gillim on the Vance & Hines Harley. The top Indian finisher was Frankie Garcia, who was able to end the day in fifth on a bike built by Roland Sands Designs. With the Wyman brothers finishing one and two, they showcased the abilities of the Harley-Davidson factory team and will certianly be a force to be reckoned with when the King of the Baggers series finishes its season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca July 9–11, 2021.