Elk River, Minnesota (March 4, 2015) – The gloves came off this past weekend in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan as Ryan Springer rode to another sweep in the Pro-Lite division. Springer nearly won every time he was on the track with his continued domination of the division; only his teammate Andrew Carlson, with another podium finish of his own, offered up a legitimate challenge to what has become the Springer stampede towards the Pro-Lite crown.
In a division historically known for its rider parity and string of fresh faces atop the podium, the 2015 season has been nothing short of the Springer show. After bursting on the scene last season as a virtually unknown rookie in the Sport ranks, Ryan went on to win the Sport year-end championship and is now poised to do the same in his rookie season in Pro-Lite with seven wins on the season, a commanding 36-point lead, and a level of class domination not seen since…ever?
“He’s riding with incredible confidence,” said Chris Carlson, team owner and manager. “He’s a kid from the tiny town of Crown (Minnesota)…he showed up at one of our ERX Grassroots Snocross races a few years ago on a beat-up old sled. He showed speed right from his first time on the track, riding that sled like he was riding a bull, breaking parts, going off the track and through the fences…but winning every time he was on the track. The amazing thing is how he’s transformed his riding style in such as short period of time. Now he’s smoother…always hunting for better lines…and it’s paying off in a big way.”
For teammate Andrew Carlson, the weekend didn’t play out as hoped with struggles on Saturday and a freakish mechanical issue slipping him in the points chase. Still Andrew rode with precision and incredible speed when it mattered most, grabbing a third place finish Friday night and charging from the back row Saturday and romping through the field to finish just shy of the podium in fourth. He sits just 3-points out of second place in the year-end chase with his favorite track remaining to close out the season.
“I felt like I was one of the fastest sleds on the track all weekend,” said Carlson. “…but things happen sometimes that you can’t control…that’s part of racing. I’m pumped for the final weekend though, it’s my favorite track (Lake Geneva). I’ve ridden well there in the past- and the big up hill start is going to be a huge advantage for us and our Polaris sleds. The guys have our sleds running like rockets off the line.”
Racing highlights from the weekend will be televised on CBS Sports with complete day one (round #13) coverage airing March 22 at 9:00am and 11:00am (central); and day 2 (round #14) broadcast March 29 at 9:00am and 11:00am.
The final race of the season and the year-end crown is now in sight as the team will make the short trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for the Grand Finale, March 13-15. You can stay abreast of all the team happenings through their website www.carlsonmoto.com or follow them on Facebook @CarlsonMoto or Twitter #CarlsonMoto. You can also follow Pro Lite racer Andrew Carlson via Twitter @151Carlson.
PHOTOS BY: GARY WALTON
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About Carlson Motorsports
Carlson Motorsports is a family of racers, mechanics and sponsors who are proud of our accomplishments on the track and off, and are driven to excellence in everything we do. Our racing organization is driven by a deep-rooted passion for the sport and an operational philosophy grounded in integrity. To learn more about Carlson Motorsports LLC, and how you can partner and share in their success, visit their website at www.carlsonmotorsportsllc.com