Ironwood, Mich. ~ The AMSOIL Championship Snocross season roared to life at Michigan’s Mt. Zion Ski Resort in Ironwood, bringing the world’s top snocross talent together for an unforgettable opening weekend. Following a night of intense head-to-head action in the Pro classes, the focus shifted to points racing on Saturday, where the stakes were higher and the competition even fiercer. Fans were treated to a dramatic mix of comebacks and title defenses that set the tone for an electrifying season ahead.

The weekend spotlight belonged to Elias Ishoel, who delivered a comeback for the ages after recovering from a career-threatening injury last season. Meanwhile, defending Pro Lite champion Crayden Dillon wasted no time asserting his dominance as he kicked off his title defense in style.

Ishoel Triumphs in AMSOIL Pro Class with Remarkable Comeback

The AMSOIL Pro class opened its season with a thrilling Triple Crown showdown, where three full races determined the overall winner based on the lowest cumulative score. Defending champion Emil Harr claimed victory in the first round, but five-time champion Elias Ishoel, making his comeback from a last season’s potentially career-ending injury, finished second, setting up an intense rivalry.

In round two, Ishoel struck back, outdueling Harr in a tight battle to claim the win and even the points tally. Harr, who had to overcome a slow start, battled his way to a second-place finish, keeping the championship fight alive. The final race saw Ishoel execute a perfect holeshot, leading wire-to-wire for his second consecutive win. His 2-1-1 scorecard sealed the overall victory, marking a triumphant return for the Norwegian rider.

Harr’s consistency with a 1-2-2 performance earned him second overall, proving why he remains a dominant force in the Pro class. Second-year pro Jordan Lebel showcased grit and steady improvement, going 5-5-4 to secure third overall in his first Pro class podium finish. With Ishoel’s remarkable comeback and Harr’s fierce challenge, the AMSOIL Pro class is already delivering a season to remember.

Crayden Dillon Starts Pro Lite Title Defense with Round One Win

Crayden Dillon began his Anderson’s Maple Syrup Pro Lite title defense with a statement performance in the season opener. The defending champion wasted no time asserting his dominance, engaging in an early battle with Brandon Nelson before seizing the lead on lap six. From there, Dillon controlled the race, expertly navigating the track for 14 laps to claim the round one victory.

While Dillon pulled ahead, the fight for the remaining podium spots heated up in the latter half of the race. Jeremy Beaulieu made a decisive move on lap 13, overtaking Nelson to secure second place. Beaulieu then faced relentless pressure from Drew Freeland but maintained his composure to keep the runner-up spot.

Freeland rounded out the podium with a strong third-place finish after his late push fell just short. Nelson, who led early, faded in the final laps but showed promise for the races ahead. With Dillon setting the pace and intense battles emerging throughout the pack, the Pro Lite class is poised for an electrifying season.

Cottew Returns to top of Pro AM Women’s Podium.

Defending champion Malene Cottew bounced back in dominant fashion during Saturday’s Bikeman Performance Pro AM Women’s final. After a challenging Friday opener where she struggled to find her rhythm, Cottew surged to the front in round two, leading from start to finish. Her commanding performance not only secured her first win of the season but also vaulted her into the overall points lead.

Naeli Lebel showcased consistency with a second-place finish for the second night in a row, solidifying her position as a key contender in the class. Ava McCurdy added excitement to the race with a determined mid-race charge, earning her a well-fought third place.

Lieders Rebounds for Thomas Sno Sport Pro AM Plus 30 Victory

Multi-time champion Andy Lieders rebounded from a tough start in Friday’s Thomas Sno Sport Pro AM Plus 30 opener to deliver a stellar performance on Saturday. Lieders grabbed the lead early in the final and never looked back, securing a big wire-to-wire victory in round two. His return to form underscored his championship pedigree, as he held off a hard-charging Brian Petersen, who finished just a half-second behind.

Friday’s winner, Petersen, showcased his consistency by nearly pulling off back-to-back wins, while Tyler Oomen continued his breakout weekend. Oomen, who achieved his first career podium with a third-place finish on Friday, repeated the feat on Saturday.

Lebel Seizes FXR Sport Class Victory and Points Lead

Dylan Lebel showcased his determination in the FXR Sport class over the weekend. After narrowly missing a podium spot on Friday with a fourth-place finish, he came back stronger on Saturday. Taking control of the FXR Sport final on lap 8, Lebel powered his way to his first win of the season, securing the points lead in the process. 

Friday’s opening round winner, Zak Farmer, put up a solid fight, leading the first half of the race before settling for second place. Meanwhile, Justin Blazevic held his ground in a close battle with Tanner Johnson to clinch third.

Knudson Sweeps Pflipsen Trucking Sport Lite

Tavin Knudson delivered a dominant performance in the Pflipsen Trucking Sport Lite final, securing his second consecutive win of the weekend. From the drop of the green flag, Knudson maintained an unyielding lead, showcasing flawless riding and securing the weekend sweep. Aiden Beckmann kept the pressure on throughout the race, staying tight on Knudson’s trail to claim a well-earned second place.

Jimmy Stanisich rounded out the podium in third, a few sled lengths behind Beckmann 

Rox Speed FX Stock 200: Eli Pallin dominated the Stock 200 class, leading from start to finish to claim the win. Friday night’s winner, Henry Dillon, secured second place, while Beckem Pudwill made a late-race charge to take third on the final lap.

1911 Beef Transition 9-13: The Transition 9-13 class delivered a thrilling finish as Riley Johnson and John Thieke went bar-to-bar on the final lap. Johnson emerged victorious, edging out Thieke, who settled for second, while Friday’s winner Ryder Hayes claimed the third spot on the podium.

Hayward Power Sports Junior 14-15: In a thrilling Junior 14-15 class race, Tavin Knudson clinched victory on Saturday, rebounding from a runner-up finish on Friday. Knudson delivered a flawless performance, leading the race from start to finish. Lincoln Meyer celebrated his first podium of the season with an impressive second-place finish, while Zack Miller showcased determination, making a late charge to pass Noah Dalli with just two laps remaining to secure third place.

SPEEDWERX Transition 8-10: In the Transition 8-10 class, Travis Bellerive delivered a standout performance, starting in fourth and charging to the front by lap three to claim victory. Early race leader Jack Gelinas fought hard and secured second place, while Bernice Thieke rounded out the podium with a strong third-place finish.

ROX Champ 120: In the Champ 120  class, Henry Dillon was on point in the first round of the 2024 season, leading from start to finish to secure the victory. Kody Krantz pushed hard and crossed the line just three-tenths of a second behind to take second place, while Deegan Giguere rounded out the podium in third.

Pete Transport LLC JUNIOR 10-13: In the opening round of the Junior 10-13 class at Mt. Zion, Ryder Hayes claimed victory with a strong performance, overtaking Riley Johnson on lap two to take the lead. Johnson held on to secure second place, while Mason Broden impressed with a remarkable charge through the field, climbing from sixth at the start to claim the final podium spot with just two laps to go.

Woodies Racing Junior Girls 9-13: Avery Hemmer kicked off her title defense in the Woodies Junior Girls 9-13 class with a commanding win. Eleanor Schmidt grabbed the early lead, holding the front for the first two laps before Hemmer made her move to take over. Charlie Buteau rounded out the podium with a solid third-place finish.

Next Stop: The AMSOIL Championship Snocross series heads to Shakopee, Minnesota, for the U.S. Air Force Snocross National at Canterbury Park on January 10-11, 2025. Don’t miss the action-packed weekend as the best racers in the world battle it out under the lights in one of the season’s most iconic events!

About ISOC: The International Series of Champions (ISOC), headquartered in Albertville, Minnesota, owns and operates both AMSOIL Championship Off-Road and AMSOIL Championship Snocross. ISOC is dedicated to delivering premier racing events that captivate motorsport enthusiasts across the nation. For detailed information about events, schedules, and updates, visit www.champoffroad.com or www.snocross.com.

Photo credit: Crystal Wallem Photography