Challenger-mounted Tyler O’Hara podiums in both thrilling Daytona races.
March 16, 2022
Indian Challenger-mounted Tyler O’Hara pulled another victory out of his helmet, winning the first race of the 2022 King of the Baggers series. Indian Motorcycle
Although sloppy weather gave riders and track officials fits all weekend, the opening round of MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers (KOTB)—which featured bagger races taking place for the first time ever on the high banks of Daytona’s International Speedway—was nothing short of exhilarating. Fans got to witness 2020 KOTB winner Tyler O’Hara, in his third year on the S&S Indian Challenger, come from a back-row starting position to capture his third overall bagger racing victory with a perfect pass. It was a fitting highlight to the 2022 series opener, which already promised a healthy dose of drama thanks to a renewed rivalry battle between two bitter competitors—Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle—in an age-old fight that dates back 100 years.
In the first race, Indian’s O’Hara drafted past Harley riders Travis and Kyle Wyman on the last lap for the win. Brian J. Nelson/Indian Motorcycle
So while 18 riders took to the grid for the eight-lap race, the main protagonists were clearly defined: the factory Harley riders versus the factory Indian riders, with plenty of backup in the rest of the field. Defending MotoAmerica King of the Baggers champion Kyle Wyman and brother Travis Wyman riding for the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle factory team would face off against Indian’s Mission Foods/S&S-run team which featured 2022 series runner-up Tyler O’Hara and former MotoGP racer Jeremy McWilliams.
Race 1 featured a master class in timing, with the S&S Cycle/Indian Challenger’s O’Hara making a classic Daytona last-lap move and drafting past both H-D Screamin’ Eagle Road Glide teammates Travis and Kyle—who finished second and third, respectively—to take the checkered flag by a nose.
H-D Screamin’ Eagle factory rider Travis Wyman put in the best showing for Harley over the weekend, finishing second in Race 1 and fifth in Race 2. Brian J. Nelson/Harley-Davidson
O’Hara described it this way: “Just getting to where I was in the race…I did not know if I had enough to make it happen. These things punch such a big hole in the air, it’s like drafting a car. I went into the bus stop and went in there super deep, and then got pretty close to Travis (Wyman). I pulled right off of Travis and just was able to lead the last lap. It was really everything I had to make it happen.”
Another well-timed draft pass resulted in a photo-finish win for MotoGP vet Jeremy McWilliams on the Indian Challenger in Race 2. Indian Motorcycle
Saturday’s King of the Baggers Race 2 was even more impacted by the unrelenting rain and shortened to six laps, and the Harley-riding Wymans unfortunately were locked out of the top spot again. Kyle experienced mechanical issues with his Road Glide Special early on, further opening the door for the Indian riders.
And they took advantage: In a perfectly timed drafting move, former MotoGP rider McWilliams made a bold pass on the last lap to squeeze out the victory. The longtime racer put his experience to good use when he slingshot past RSD Indian rider Bobby Fong, who was in the lead at the time. Right behind was McWilliams’ teammate O’Hara, who also drafted past Fong to take second place. With Fong finishing third, it turned out to be an all-Indian podium showing in the second race. Travis Wyman finished a disappointing fifth, while brother Kyle chalked up a DNF for the race.
Bagger newcomer McWilliams says the win is all thanks to the more experienced O’Hara: “I kind of learned how to ride it off Tyler. Give him all the credit for that because he rides it differently than I do. I came along not knowing and riding it a little bit like a sportbike, and that’s not how it works. It’s got so much torque that you’ve got to change your throttle position and stuff.”
Challenger riders McWilliams, O’Hara, and Bobby Fong completed an all-Indian sweep of the podium for KOTB Race 2 at Daytona. Indian Motorcycle
O’Hara’s first- and second-place finishes in the opening rounds give him an early lead in the 2022 series point race, with McWilliams in second with 38 points.
The 2022 KOTB point standings are as follows:
1 | Tyler O’Hara | Indian | 45 |
|---|---|---|---|
2 | Jeremy McWilliams | Indian | 38 |
3 | Travis Wyman | Harley-Davidson | 31 |
4 | Bobby Fong | Indian | 25 |
5 | Taylor Knapp | Harley-Davidson | 21 |
To recap, Moto America’s King of the Baggers Championship series is for race-prepped, American V-twin touring motorcycles fitted with fairing/windscreen and saddlebags.
See motoamerica.com for details, eligibility requirements, and deadlines.
Read more about KOTB racing at motorcyclecruiser.com
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