Declan Bender lines up earlier
this season as an AFT Singles
presented by KICKER rider
[Photo: American Flat
Track/Kristen Lassen]
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May
28, 2025) – OTB
Racing is making a bold
mid‑season move to keep its
championship charge alive in the
2025 Progressive
American Flat Track
season, announcing today that
Declan Bender
will climb aboard the team’s
Yamaha MT-07
for the remainder of the
Mission AFT SuperTwins
campaign.
The 23‑year‑old Bender –
2023 AFT Singles presented by
KICKER Rookie
of the Year and
ninth‑place finisher in last
year’s premier‑class standings –
steps in for Brandon
Price, who has been
medically sidelined following a
pair of heavy crashes at Daytona
and Ventura.
“This isn’t what anyone wanted
to hear,” stated Brandon
Price on his social
media channels. “With the
crashes I’ve compiled over the
years I’m no longer eligible to
race motorcycles. All things
considered, I still had a pretty
good run in the sport – four
SuperTwins podiums, four AFT
Singles wins and a runner‑up in
the Singles championship. I
didn’t achieve any of this
alone. Thanks to my family,
friends, sponsors, fans and
everyone who supported me
throughout my career.”
OTB Team Owner Wayne
Sody acknowledged the
bittersweet nature of the
change—but says the squad is
ready to rally, “Losing your
rider a third of the way into
the season is tough, and we’re
sending Brandon nothing but love
and respect as he takes the next
step in life. At the same time,
we’re fired up to welcome
Declan. He’s fearless, he’s
hungry, and he’s already proven
he can mix it up with the best
in the Mission AFT SuperTwins
class. Our entire crew is locked
in on finishing ’25 with a
flourish.”
Declan Bender
echoed the sentiment, expressing
his enthusiasm: “I’m beyond
excited to get brought on board
with OTB Racing for the rest of
the 2025 season. Wayne, Meg,
Wyatt and Mike have an amazing
program put together that I feel
I can take us to the top of the
box. I look forward to seeing
what we can do the rest of the
season!”
A Deeper Bench in the
Paddock
In a further boost, respected
technician Mike Luczak
has joined OTB as Crew Chief,
pairing with long‑time lead
mechanic Wyatt Neal
to form one of the sharpest
wrenching duos on pit lane.
“These moves represent a new
chapter for OTB,” Team
Owner, Wayne Sody
continues. “Mike and Wyatt are
two of the sharpest minds in the
paddock, and with Declan on the
bike, we’re confident in our
ability to make a strong push
through the second half of the
season.”
Partners That Keep OTB
Rolling
OTB Racing’s 2025 effort is
fueled by an all‑star roster of
partners: Memphis Shades,
Corbin, Vinson Construction,
Luczak Racing, Glen’s Auto,
Michael Sponseller, Yamaha Blu
Cru, Lisa Niner, Fredericktown
Yamaha, Rausch Racing, Lowery
Racing, Motion Pro, Small Town
Lids, R‑Nyne Designs, Vortex
Brewing Co, Vortex Racing,
Earlbeck Gases, Arctic Circle,
BCTRA, LP3 Refuse Removal and
Black Hills Powersports.
Follow the team’s journey on
Instagram @otbracing_
and Facebook OTB Racing.
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