Dallas Daniels and Kody Kopp were big winners at the 2018 AMA Flat Track Grand Championship in Springfield, Ill., taking home the AMA’s two most prestigious awards for amateur flat track racing.

Daniels, of Mattoon, Ill., won the 2018 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award, which honors the amateur racer who is poised for success at the professional level.

Daniels was one of the top performers at the 2018 AMA Flat Track Grand Championship, riding his Honda to three class championships.

“Winning this award is pretty special,” he said. “Nicky Hayden was one of our buddies and my dad used to work for him as a mechanic.”

Daniels’ father Nick was happy to see his son win the award.

“This means the world to us,” he said. “This is something Dallas has been aiming to win his whole career. He really deserves it. His work ethic is second to none.”

Kopp, from Mica, Wash., was surprised when he was named the winner of the 2018 AMA Fast Brain Award, which benefits one young racer whose talent with the throttle is matched by the competitor’s aptitude in the classroom.

The award includes a $1,500 educational scholarship.

“I was not expecting to win the Fast Brain Award,” he said. “I knew there was a chance. My grades are my biggest priority.”

Kopp’s father, Joe, the AMA Pro Grand National Championship in 2000, was delighted to see his son receive the award.

“I am super proud of him, and even more proud about the Fast Brain Award than his class championship,” he said. “It’s the A grades that matter most.”

Daniels and Kopp will be honored as part of the AMA Legends & Champions Weekend, which is scheduled to take place in Columbus, Ohio Dec. 7-9.