Jesse Janisch made the most of a two-race Volusia Speedway finale by securing his first professional flat track championship aboard a Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R on Saturday. Janisch won seven of the 17 AFT races in the 2022 series, finishing seven points clear of second!
Janisch came into the final weekend with a nine-point lead , knowing how quickly that lead could disappear. His win in the Friday race along with a sixth-place finish by Texter meant that on Saturday, he needed to qualify for the Main event and get at least five points to secure the championship. His eighth-place performance was enough to put him in the series lead, even with the race win going to the veteran Texter.
Janisch joined the Vance & Hines AFT team with six races remaining in the 2021 season. He rewarded his sponsors with five top-four finishes and a win in Charlotte last year. He was named to the 2022 Vance & Hines team in February.
“What an awesome year,” said Vance & Hines Team Manager Craig Koontz. “Jesse is a great rider and a great team member. He trusts us to give him a fast bike and he goes out and does great things with it.”
“I have a reputation for being a great rider on TT tracks, but this year, winning three half miles, two miles and two TT’s, I think I proved that I can compete no matter what track I’m on,” said Janisch. “I love my team from Vance & Hines. They never pressured me, just gave me great equipment and allowed me to go out and race. Next week I’m driving to Indy and buying pizza for the whole Vance & Hines crew.”
Vance & Hines is the only organization designated to produce the Harley-Davidson XG750R race-only motorcycle, a turnkey solution for riders wishing to compete in AFT’s Production Twins racing. In 2022, Vance & Hines was a presenting sponsor of AFT’s Production Twins class and offered a contingency sponsorship program that made nearly $100,000 in prize money available to racers.
