Contact: Pat Schutte
PR Director, ISOC Racing
pat@highprofilepr.com

DEADWOOD, S.D. (Feb. 1, 2014) – If AMSOIL Championship Snocross, powered by Ram, current Pro Open point leader Tucker Hibbert’s (Monster Energy/Arctic Cat) can hold on an win this year’s championship, you’ll have to point to tonight’s race as the statement race of the season for the defending champ – quite possibly even more so than when he lapped the entire field at the season opener in Duluth, Minn.

Coming from dead last to 1st – after yet another run in with Kody Kamm (Hentges Racing/Polaris), which this time completely separated Hibbert from his sled, Hibbert put up a race-for-the-ages with his effort at the final main event of the Deadwood Snocross Shootout, presented by K&N Filters.

And in Pro Lite racing action it was current point leader Andrew Carlson (Carlson Motorsports/Polaris), who got back on top of the box after placing 2nd last night.

Pro Open
Pulling the Stud Boy Holeshot with authority, Hibbert was on the cusp of pulling away when he was drilled from behind by Friday’s winner Kamm, who ran into Hibbert in the exact same spot on Friday (where he knocked Hibbert off the track). But tonight, without hesitation, ISOC officials pulled the black flag and sent Kamm to the back of the pack, where he joined Hibbert.

Capitalizing off the mess up front, 2012 ACS Pro Open champ Tim Tremblay (Scheuring Speed Sports/AMSOIL/Ski-Doo) took the lead, followed by David Joanis (Royal Distributing/Arctic Cat). Tremblay was solid in the early going, increasing his lead up to 3.5 seconds early and looking like he’s secure his first victory of the 2013-’14 AMSOIL Championship Snocross season.

On lap six Justin Broberg (Hentges Racing/Polaris) and Cody Thomsen (Arctic Cat) got into a great battle for 3rd place, with Broberg getting the edge when Thomsen over-cooked a corner and went down. Tremblay (1st), Joanis (2nd) and Broberg (3rd) would share the spotlight for a couple laps, before all eyes in the packed Days of ’76 Rodeo Grounds turned their focus to Hibbert.

By lap ten Hibbert would move up to 5th place, while Kamm dropped out of the race for an unknown reason. Hibbert was on a mission, soon reeling in Broberg for 3rd and setting his site on Joanis, who he passed on lap 14. Down three seconds on Tremblay with six laps to go, Hibbert would pass the former Pro Open champ on lap 16 (of 22) and cruised home to the victory.

“I was motivated, man,” said Hibbert. “I was getting tired of being pushed around. So I just put my head down and went for it. Last night was one of the worst nights of my career and I really wanted that win. It’s been a long weekend and I’m glad it’s over.”

Rounding out the Pro Open top five at Deadwood on Saturday night were Broberg in 4th and Johan Lidman (Warnert Racing/Ski-Doo) in 5th.

Deadwood Saturday Pro Open results

Pro Lite

Andrew Carlson pulled the Pro Lite class holeshot of the year, rocketing out of the far outside gate with the No. 10 qualifying pick and arching his Polaris across the entire Pro Lite field and into the lead – a lead he’d hold for all 14 laps for the victory.

“That’s probably one of my best races ever,” said Carlson. “It was ‘Go or No go’ on the start – and I just went for it. My sled ripped. Got a great start and that was key.”

Carlson was joined up front early by Corey Watkinson (Watkinson Racing/Arctic Cat) and Jordan Kraus on a Relentless Racing Polaris. Carlson would go up by two seconds ahead of Watkinson, while James Johnstad (Judnick Motorsports/Polaris) made his move past Kraus and into 3rd. Johnstad, who was leading Friday’s Pro Lite contest at Deadwood when he wadded up his sled and was unable to complete the race.

Carlson, Watkinson and Johnstad would set a torrid pace, separating from the rest of the field in a three-man train around the oblong Deadwood oval. Watkinson would click off one of the faster laps, a 27.5 effort, cutting Carlson’s lead down to just over a second with four laps remaining. Lapped traffic would group the trio even closer together, but the places would remain the same through the checkers. 1 – Carlson, 2- Watkinson and 3 – Johnstad.

“I really screwed up yesterday, and didn’t qualify well today,” admitted Johnstad. “Andrew and Corey ran a good race, I couldn’t catch them – but I’m happy to be up here on the box tonight.”

Rounding out the top five in Saturday’s Pro Lite class at Deadwood were John Stenberg (Bauerly Racing/Ski-Doo) in 4th and Friday’s winner, Corin Todd (Leighton Motorsports/Polaris) in 5th.

Deadwood Saturday Pro Lite results

AMSOIL Championship Snocross, powered by Ram, returns to Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel for two days/nights of high-octane racing action on February 7 and 8 with the running of the Seneca Allegany Casino Air Force Snocross!

2013-’14 AMSOIL Championship Snocross, powered by Ram

Round/Date City/State
1 – Nov. 29-Dec. 1 Duluth, Minnesota
2 – Dec. 6-7 Bessemer, Michigan
3 – Jan. 3-5 Shakopee, Minnesota
4 – Jan. 31-Feb.1 Deadwood, South Dakota
5 – Feb. 7-8 Salamanca, New York
6 – Feb. 21-22 Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
7 – March 7-8 Fargo, N.D.
8 – March 14-16 Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Beginning with AMSOIL Championship Snocross’ season-opening round in Duluth, Minn. and running through the season finale in Lake Geneva, Wis. CBS Sports Network will air 16 half-hour programs of the ACS races.

Photos courtesy of Lissa Marsolek/ISOC

About ISOC Racing
The International Series of Champions (ISOC) is the premier snowmobile race sanctioning organization in North America and sanctions national AMSOIL Championship Snocross, in addition to affiliating with nine regional circuits. Visit snocross.com for more information, fan and racer memberships, schedule details and more.