Ironwood, Mich. ~ Here is a refined two-paragraph version incorporating a full Pro starting gate and keeping the tone suitable as a lead-in for a complete class recap:

The 2025–26 AMSOIL Championship Snocross presented by Brunt Workwear season opened in Ironwood, Michigan, where heavy snowfall over the past two weeks allowed Mt. Zion Ski Hill to take shape as a true season-opening showcase. With preseason testing complete, race crews built a big, demanding track that reflected a fresh winter and a clean slate, immediately asking riders to commit to speed, line choice, and execution.

With championship points reset to zero, Ironwood marked the official start of the title chase, highlighted by a full Pro starting gate and deep fields throughout the program. Riders across every class arrived eager to turn preparation into results, knowing that early momentum can define an entire season. On a track built to reward confidence and punish hesitation, the opening weekend made it clear that the new season was underway and every competitor was starting anew.

Harr Answers the Challenge as Sahlsten Shines in AMSOIL Pro Opener

The AMSOIL Pro final opened with major questions following the sudden retirement of Elias Ishoel at Hay Days, leaving many to wonder who would emerge as the primary challenger to two-time defending champion Emil Harr. On Friday night, the first answer came from the Skogquist Racing trailer Ishoel vacated, as newly signed Gustav Sahlsten grabbed the holeshot and led a measured, patient Harr through the opening half of the race.

As the race developed, Harr once again showcased his ability to find speed and alternative lines late in the contest. Mid-race, Harr made a decisive move, sliding into the lead and pulling away to secure the opening-round victory.

“It was a hard start to the day as I hurt my foot pretty badly,” said Harr. “I was able to get through the heat races, but had a rough second heat race. I was upset a bit and brought that into the final. I was able to move up to first in the final and get around Gustav, who was riding really well. It’s going to be a fun year.”

Sahlsten continued to impress, holding strong for second and signaling his readiness for the Pro spotlight after recording just one podium finish last season.

The battle for third delivered its own drama, with Evan Daudt and Kody Kamm locked together throughout the race. Daudt, competing on a new brand this season, found late-race speed and separation to claim the final podium spot, edging Kamm after a sustained duel.

Cole Seizes Control Late as New Pro Lite Era Begins

With last season’s top two Pro Lite point finishers now moved up to the Pro class, the U.S. Air Force Pro Lite final opened with a fresh championship picture as Drew Freeland grabbed the holeshot. Early shuffling at the front quickly followed, with Jordan Biese emerging as the race leader and Cameron Cole locked onto his taillights.

A multi-sled pileup slowed one of the split lanes, but it had no impact on the front runners. Biese and Cole stayed clean and began to separate themselves from the pack, maintaining pace while navigating lapped traffic and building a gap to the rest of the field.

With less than two laps remaining, Cole found an outside line and railed past Biese to take over the lead, then pulled away to secure the win. 

“I was really just trying to hold a good pace,” said Cole. “I was right on Jordan the whole time and was looking to find a spot to get around him. I just found a line on the outside and was able to get around him and make it work.”

The battle for second came down to the final turns, as Freeland—after being delayed in traffic earlier—charged back into contention and made a decisive last-turn pass on Biese, who settled for his first career Pro Lite podium in third.

Rookie Hemmer Capitalizes on Open Field for First Pro AM Women Victory

In the Bikeman Performance Pro AM Women final, the absence of reigning champion Malene Cottew from the main event due to injury reshaped the field, as she took starts only in her heat races. With a full 20-rider final lined up, the door was open for a new winner in Ironwood.

Rookie Avery Hemmer seized the opportunity, taking control off the start and moving into the lead over Kendall Rose within the opening turns. Hemmer rode a clean, mistake-free race at the front, holding her lines as Victoria Dillon charged forward from a third-row start, climbing to second by lap six. 

“I put myself into a really good position coming into the final,” said Hemmer. “I just made a plan and executed it off the start.”

Dillon cut the deficit to two seconds but ran out of time, finishing runner-up, while Ava McCurdy regrouped after fading mid-race to reclaim speed and secure the final podium spot in third.

Todd Steals Pro AM Plus 30 Win with Last-Turn Pass in Ironwood

With longtime frontrunner Andy Lieders retired from competition, the Thomas Sno Sports Pro AM Plus 30 class entered the season with wide-open championship expectations. While Corin Todd arrived as one of the early favorites, it was Tyler Oomen who controlled the race for nearly the entire Friday night final, setting the pace from the front.

Todd worked his way forward from outside the top five and spent much of the second half of the race several sled lengths behind Oomen. On the final lap, Todd found a late opening and made a decisive, last-corner move that stuck, crossing the line just 0.375 seconds ahead of Oomen for the victory. Oomen settled for second, while Brian Peterson maintained pressure throughout and finished two seconds back in third.

Freeland Breaks Through for Pirtek Sport Season-Opening Win

In the Pirtek Sport final, Wyatt Skogquist claimed the Stub Boy Holeshot, but Brady Freeland quickly made his presence felt in the Friday night showdown. Freeland moved into second on lap two and immediately applied pressure, working past the bot AJ and Wyatt Skogquist and building a gap at the front.

AJ Skogquist slipped by his brother on lap three and set his sights on the race leader, but Freeland remained sharp and mistake-free to secure his first win of the season. AJ Skogquist finished second, holding off a late charge from Gustav Vesterlund, who completed the podium in third.

Gosselin Regroups Late to Claim Sport Lite Opening-Round Victory

With the top five riders from last season moving up, the FlexToy Powersports Rental Sport Lite final opened the year with wide-open contention. Charlie Lucas seized the early advantage, grabbing the holeshot and setting the pace at the front through the opening laps.

Derek Gosselin turned up the pressure and took the lead on lap four, only to give it back a lap later after an off-track excursion. Regrouping quickly, Gosselin charged back to Lucas, reclaimed the top spot, and led the final two laps to secure the opening-round win. Lucas finished second, while Charlie vanHorsigh rallied from a sixth-place start and edged Riley Johnson in a bar-to-bar sprint to the line to claim the final podium position.

Specialty Box and Crate Junior 14-15: In the Specialty Box and Crate Junior 14–15 final, Carter vanHorsigh moved into the lead on lap two but was never able to break free as Ryder Harnois kept constant pressure on the front. Harnois made his move with two laps remaining, taking over the top spot and holding on to secure the win.

vanHorsigh stayed within striking distance to finish second, while Ryder Hayes delivered a strong charge from an eighth-place start to complete the podium in third.

Lakeland Powersports Junior Girls 9-13: Lila Hemmer led the opening laps of the Lakeland Powersports Junior Girls 9–13 final, setting the early pace as she aimed to take over the top spot left open by departing champion Avery Hemmer. She remained out front until lap three, controlling the race from the start.

On lap three, Charlie Buteau took over the lead and continued the form she showed late last season, riding on to the win. Eva Gifford advanced into second, with Hemmer finishing third.

Anderson’s Maple Syrup Transition 9-13: In the Anderson Maple Syrup Transition 9–13 final, Ryan Shimanski controlled the race from start to finish, leading wire to wire to claim the victory. Shimanski set a steady pace at the front and never gave the field an opening.

Behind him, a tight three-rider battle developed for second, with Isaac Otto holding off sustained pressure from Logan Bruch and Tommy Roy to secure the runner-up spot. Bruch edged Roy at the line to take third.

SPEEDWERX Transition 8-10: In the Speedwerx Transition 8–10 final, Noah Kuhn launched off the line and immediately took control, leading every lap en route to a wire-to-wire victory in the opening round. Kuhn’s clean start and consistent pace kept the field at bay throughout the race.

Jake Archambault navigated the Ironwood track to secure second, while Parker Wruck held off late pressure from Wyatt Miller to claim the final podium position.

Rox Speed FX Stock 200: In the Rox SpeedFX Stock 200 final, Deegan Giguere claimed the Stud Boy Holeshot before Landan Lysne surged from third to the lead on lap two to take control of the race. Lysne established the pace at the front and held command through the remainder of the final.

Behind him, Harrison Skar reclaimed the runner-up position on lap three and withstood pressure from Tessa Naastad over the closing laps to secure second. Naastad finished close behind in third.

he 2025–26 AMSOIL Championship Snocross season opens this weekend with the Mt. Zion Snocross National presented by Kwik Trip in Ironwood, Michigan. Fans can watch every race live on FloRacing, follow real-time updates across official Snocross social media channels, and catch coverage through FOX Sports throughout the season.

About ISOC
The International Series of Champions (ISOC), headquartered in Albertville, Minnesota, owns and operates both AMSOIL Championship Snocross and AMSOIL Championship Off-Road. ISOC is a recognized leader in professional motorsports, delivering premier national championship events that help define the future of winter and off-road racing. For schedules, tickets, and the latest updates, visit snocross.com or champoffroad.com.