Screamin’ Eagle Claws Out Early Lead at 2023 King of the Baggers
What began as an exhibition race, is now a full-fledged championship, and a battle.
Team Word
As the 2022 King of the Baggers championship literally slipped away from Harley-Davidson, they vowed to “leave nothing on the track” in the fight to bring the title back to Milwaukee. True to their word, the factory-backed Screamin’ Eagle team clawed out an early lead at the 2023 MotoAmerica Mission opening races—all despite blown engines and red flags.
Photos: MotoAmerica
Open Door
Brothers Kyle and Travis Wyman are back for another season, but looking good in orange and black was about the only action for the Screamin’ Eagle team in Race 1. Both the race-prepped Road Glides decided to belch smoke and park themselves on the apron mid-race. Their mechanical woes opened the door for the Vance & Hines/Mission te
Slapper Victory
Flying the Milwaukee flag, James Rispoli and Hayden Gillim took first and second respectively. Rispoli rode into victory lane with his first career victory in the class—after somehow staying on board his Road Glide after a vicious tank slapper on the high banks in lap two. Indian Motorcycle's Tyler O'Hara closed the gap for a respectable third-place finish.
Searing Pack
The Screamin’ Eagle tribulations started to turn around in Race 2, even though Travis Wyman was forced to drop out in the first lap with apparent clutch problems. Kyle Wyman more than made up for his brother's DNF, leading the entire King of the Baggers eight-lap race and posting searing lap times way ahead of the pack.
Milwaukee Sweep
Kyle Wyman took the checkered flag in a dominating win, topping an all-Harley-Davidson podium. James Rispoli and Hayden Gillim took second and third for the Vance & Hines/Mission team. The Milwaukee roll did not end at the podium, with Team Saddlemen's Cory West and Jake Lewis finishing fourth and fifth to complete a Harley-Davidson top-five sweep.
Special Win
After the race, Kyle elaborated on the turbulent weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida. “I’m so excited that we got our Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycle working so well today. This is my first win at Daytona since 2019, and this is such a special place, so a victory here is always special.” He also acknowledged the troubles in Race 1.
Momentum Days
Wyman explained, “We had a tough day yesterday, but the entire team just dug in and we had smooth sailing today. You can think of so many scenarios that could happen going into this weekend, but you could not predict either one of these days.” Looking forward he wrapped up his thoughts by stating, “I’m ready to take this momentum to Atlanta.”
Battle Talons
Better known for Superbike and SuperSport road racing, MotoAmerica launched King of the Baggers as an exhibition race in 2020. Now a popular, full-fledged championship, the battle is on for the 2023 title. The Screamin’ Eagle team may have scratched out a lead for now, but they will have to dig their talons in deep to win the crown.
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