The competition would probably like a “do-over” after the Polaris snocross racers exploded out of the gate and completely decimated the competition at the WPSA season opener, earning 10 out of the12 Pro/Semi-Pro podium spots and claiming the top five places in the Pro Super Stock class. The Polaris domination took place at the traditional Thanksgiving weekend season opener, the Amsoil Duluth (MN) National Snocross held Nov. 23-25 at Spirit Mountain.
It’s easier to note what Polaris racers did NOT win, and that was the Pro Open class. But they finished second through eighth in Pro Open, and finished first through fifth in Pro Super Stock as winner Ross Martin (Judnick Motorsports) led a Polaris parade across the finish line.
Pro Classes: Polaris Packs the Finals
Polaris racers so dominated the preliminaries that the Pro finals were packed with Polaris 600 IQ® race sleds. There were eight Polaris racers in the 15-sled Pro Open final, and the IQ racers finished second through eighth.
Levi LaVallee (Hentges Racing) finished second in Pro Open followed by: Ross Martin (Judnick Motorsports), Dennis Eckstrom (Scheuring Speed Sports), Mike Schultz (Avalanche Racing), TJ Gulla (Hentges Racing), Matt Judnick (Judnick Motorsports) and Shaun Crapo (Scheuring Speed Sports).
In Pro Super Stock, there were seven Polaris racers in the 15-sled final, in which they all finished in the top 11 spots, including sweeping first through fifth. Martin won Pro Super Stock and was joined on the podium by runner-up Eckstrom and third-place finisher Schultz. Gulla took fourth and LaVallee was fifth. Matt Judnick (Judnick Motorsports) was 10th and Shaun Crapo (Scheuring Speed Sports) finished 11th.
Pro Women Super Stock: Strong Defense
Reigning WPSA Pro Women’s champion Kylie Abrahamson started her title defense on a winning note by taking first at Duluth in what is now called the Pro Women Super Stock class. Now racing as part of the strong Avalanche Racing team, Abrahamson seems poised for another title run this season.
Semi-Pro: Strong Start to New Season
Polaris racers in the Semi-Pro classes also dominated as they swept the top four spots in the Semi-Pro class and crowded the final in Semi-Pro Super Stock 1.
In Semi-Pro Open, Bobby LePage (Hentges Racing) took first and led a Polaris parade as he was followed by Brett Bender (Hentges Racing) in second, Andrew Johnstad (Avalanche Racing) in third and Dylan Martin (Judnick Motorsports) in fourth. Polaris racers took six of the top nine spots as Mike Bauer finished eighth and Chris Kafka (Hentges Racing) was ninth.
In Semi-Pro Super Stock 1 it was more Polaris domination with Brett Bender finishing first and Bobby LePage taking the number two position for Polaris. Mike Bauer and Chris Kafka finished fifth and sixth respectively and Andrew Johnstad rounded out the top ten finishing spots with an eighth place effort.
Ryan Carey took second to earn a podium spot, and Justin Ochsner was fourth, Derek Ellis was sixth and David Livingston was ninth.
Sport & Junior Classes: Two More Victories
Derek Ellis won the Sport Super Stock 2 class, while Kurt Heiser took third, David Joanis was fourth and Ryan Carey was sixth. In Sport Super Stock 1, Ryan Carey took second to earn a podium spot, and Justin Ochsner was fourth, Derek Ellis was sixth and David Livingston was ninth. Kyle Lacoe won the Juniors 14-15 class to get his season off to a flying start.
New Polaris 600 IQ® Race Sled
Polaris snocross racers have a competitive edge as they get to race on the new 2008 Polaris 600 IQ® Race Sled. This is a super-strong, easy handling rocket with an improved steering system, all-new Liberty® 600 engine and the most durable chassis ever developed for Polaris racers. The new race sled was created to withstand the rigors of snocross racing, including the longer Pro finals on the 2008 WPSA National circuit.
