09/04/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bi198vYMd/?mibextid=wwXIfr
This hits me hard, this young man is around the same age as my own son who is now in 8th grade. Landrick has always wanted to race (he’s a phenomenal rider with natural skill) and I have always told him we will always ride for fun but we aren’t going racing, it’s just not worth the risk and I just can’t imagine how this young man’s parents are able to handle this situation, absolutely horrible and flat track continues to have more deaths than any other motorcycle division
Rip bayne , grab a handful up there
A HEARTBREAKING LOSS FOR THE AMERICAN FLAT TRACK COMMUNITY
The American Flat Track community is mourning the loss of Bayne Nantz, a 15-year-old AFT ProSport 450 competitor whose life was tragically cut short following a racing accident at Peoria Motorcycle Club.
Bayne was injured in a three-rider incident on August 22 and fought for his life for more than a week at OSF Children’s Hospital. Despite the extraordinary efforts of the medical team, his severe traumatic brain injury proved too devastating, and he passed away September 1.
But the story his family shared is about so much more than the accident.
It is about a kid who loved racing, loved his family, and made everyone around him better.
On the day of the Peoria TT, Bayne had every reason to smile. He had just qualified second in the AFT ProSport 450, the biggest racing event of his young career.
His family remembers him coming back from qualifying with a huge smile and saying:
“I feel good, I’m gonna win today.”
According to his family, Bayne's last memory was pulling onto the starting line, looking toward the hillside and seeing a sea of people wearing his “Bayne the Train” shirts.
He waved.
Then he pulled the holeshot.
That image is an incredibly powerful final memory of a young racer doing what he loved most.
Bayne's family also made the heartbreaking decision to donate his organs through Gift of Hope, allowing his life to continue through others — a final act of generosity that they believe perfectly reflected the kind of person he was.
His family described him as kind, caring, generous, gentle, intelligent, creative, talented, goofy and hilarious.
He was a racer.
He was a builder.
He was an adventurer.
But most importantly, he was someone's son, brother and best friend.
The racing community rallied around the Nantz family during those agonizing days, providing meals, support, prayers and countless messages of encouragement. That outpouring showed just how far Bayne's reach extended beyond the racetrack.
Fifteen years is nowhere near long enough.
But in those 15 years, Bayne clearly left an enormous mark on the people fortunate enough to know him.
Fly high, Bayne “The Train” Nantz.
The racing community will remember the young man who chased his dreams on two wheels — and the smile he brought with him wherever he went.
Our deepest condolences go out to Bayne's family, friends, teammates and everyone who loved him. 🏁
Nantz Bros Racing
