Feb. 23, 2015 – Monster Energy / Arctic Cat / Ram Truck’s Tucker Hibbert was untouchable at rounds 11 and 12 of the ISOC National Snocross tour in Joliet, Ill. Hibbert put on an impressive show at Route 66 Raceway’s drag strip, turned snocross course, by winning all four of his qualifying rounds and both final events.
Despite battling fierce winds and low visibility, Hibbert convincingly won both his qualifying races and the final Friday night. Saturday brought warmer weather, and with that, a big, high-energy crowd.
Hibbert had his most intense race of the weekend in the first round of qualifying Saturday night. He jumped the start of the nine-rider race, was sent to the back row and came out of turn one in last place. With only eight laps on the 40-second track, he immediately charged forward and by the end of lap three, he was on the rear bumper of race leader no. 324 Kyle Pallin. The two riders raced side-by-side through the split lane, dogleg section of the course. With Hibbert on the inside and Pallin on the outside, Hibbert blocked Pallin as the lanes merged, took the lead and runaway for the win.
After winning his second qualifying round, Hibbert had first start line pick for the 15-rider, 14-lap final event. Selecting the far inside, Hibbert got a solid jump off the line but was shut down by no. 837 Ross Martin. Hibbert followed Martin for a lap and a half, then, made the pass for the lead in exact same spot he passed Pallin in the first round of qualifying. With a clear track in front of him, Hibbert had full control of the course to take his 104th pro national victory.
Next up for Hibbert is the Ram Truck National at Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. With a 97-point lead, the defending Pro Open National Champion will enter the final two stops of the ISOC tour in prime position to win the 2014/2015 championship.
Tucker Hibbert – #68 Monster Energy / Arctic Cat / Ram Truck
“It’s an awesome feeling to win all my qualifying rounds and both finals. The only other time I’ve done that this season was at Duluth. I was really impressed by the length of the course at Route 66. It was much longer than I imagined and by Saturday night, it got really rough which makes for great racing.”
“I’m really excited heading into the race this weekend. Last year, the track at the Ram Truck National was huge. Hopefully they’re putting together another awesome track.”
“I know I’m in a really good position in the points standing but try not to think about it too much. I’m taking it race-by-race. If we (the team) keep focusing on being our best every time we hit the track, we should be able to take the championship.”
Fast Facts
- Hometown: Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
- 13-Time X Games Medalist
- Eight-Time National Snocross Champion, 104 Pro National Snocross Wins
- 2012 and 2010 FIM Snowcross World Champion
Tucker Hibbert’s Remaining 14/15 Snocross Events
February 27-28, 2015: Soaring Eagle Casino // Mt. Pleasant, MI
March 13-15, 2015: Grand Geneva Resort // Lake Geneva, WI
Resources: tucker-hibbert.com • monsterenergy.com • arcticcat.com • ramtrucks.com
Photo by John Hanson