Shakopee, Minn. (March 18, 2014) – Hentges Racing stepped up on the podium four times during the Nielsen Enterprises Grand Finale in Lake Geneva, Wis., during the last three days of the 2013-14’
AMSOIL Championship Snocross season. With two of the best Snocross racers in the pro ranks, Polaris/Pirtek/FXR Racing riders Kody Kamm and Justin Broberg will be back for more next year. This season will rival as one of the most winningest seasons in Hentges Racing history – including, of course, the Silver and Bronze medals in Snowmobile Snocross at the ESPN Winter X Games and two top five finishes in Pro Open season points.
With the Pro Open point championship already decided on Friday night before the main event (Kamm and fellow Hentges Racing Alliance rider Ross Martinis are the only racers to beat Hibbert this season), Hentges Racing was focusing on what they do best – competing for spots on top of the podium.. The rough track conditions at Lake Geneva made it a tough and demanding track, and separated the boys from men.
Broberg and Kamm went through a successful day of qualifying on Friday, winning one heat each. In the first of three main events this weekend, the battle with Kamm and reigning champion Tucker Hibbert would continue like usual. Kamm would lead Hibbert for the first three out of the nine laps and take second place up on the podium.
“Once Tucker passed me, the roost was so bad it was hard to see so I just kept riding hard where I was. I’m happy the weekend started out right especially in front of my hometown crowd,” said Kamm.
Starting the weekend out with a win in the very first race, Broberg kept the momentum going with a third place finish in heat two qualifying him second on the front row. With a mistake on lap one and machine issues in the main event, Broberg would finish in eighth position in the Pro open final.
“I had a great start in the final but blew off the track on the first lap. I made it back up to seventh but on the second to last lap something went wrong in my sled and I slowly rode to the finish line to keep points going,” said Broberg.
Saturday did not start well for Broberg or Kamm, placing fifth and seventh in round one of qualifying. In the next round, Broberg rode to a strong second place and Kamm ran away with the holeshot straight to the checkered flag for first position. With the main event playing out similar to the night before for Kamm, the Monster Energy rider would take his second podium of the weekend in third place nearly catching Ross Martin towards the end of the race. Broberg in third was holding off Hibbert until the start of the second lap. He would round out the top five of that final event.
Round 17, the final round of ACS, on Sunday was one of the top highlights of the whole season with both Hentges Racing riders taking up two of the three spots on top of the box…and all on live TV on
CBS Sports! With Polaris snowmobiles sweeping the holeshot, Broberg on his Pirtek/FXR Racing machine quickly took the pass for first place around Martin on the outside and led the remaining riders down the hill. His teammate Kamm made his way into the third position when a mistake from Martin opened up one more spot. Broberg held on in second place for his first-ever pro podium. Kamm would finish one position behind his teammate making that his third podium (one each day) of the weekend.
“It’s been a long time coming. This is my third year in the Pro Open class and we’ve come a long way. There couldn’t have been a better ending to this season for me then getting my first podium at the last race of the year,” said Broberg.
“It has been another phenomenal season. We won two medals this year at X Games and then hit live TV at Lake Geneva with two podium finishes. It has been fantastic and I couldn’t be happier. We are going to keep moving forward with the current team we have assembled for next year and build on what we accomplished this year,” said Nate Hentges, Hentges Racing team owner.
Friday’s race (round 15) will air at 10:00 a.m., April 6, and Saturday’s race (round 16) immediately after at 10:30 a.m., on the CBS Sports Network. Tune into the 16 half-hour programs of the ACS that will be televised.
Hentges Racing, past and present, would like to wish Bobby “The Rage” LePage congratulations and good luck as he retires from Pro Open at the National level and starts a new beginning in the Pro Vet class.
“Bobby is like a brother to me. I watched him grow up through the ranks, and then being there for his injury and seeing him today still in action is amazing. I have been there for a lot of his career and he was a big part of our team. He is truly a talented rider. We all wish him the best moving forward,” said Nate Hentges, Hentges Racing team owner, on working with LePage.
Just because ACS is done for the season doesn’t mean Hentges Racing is too. The work and plans for next season have already begun, so be sure to continue to follow the team during the off-season and stay up to date through our social media!
About Hentges Racing:
Hentges Racing was formed in 2000 in Minneapolis, MN, as a true family endeavor. In what is a short time in motor racing. Hentges Racing has become the premiere factory Polaris Snocross team and a competitive force to be reckoned with each weekend. With championship-caliber technical resources and developmental support of a manufacturer like Polaris married with the heart and passion of the Hentges family, young racers Kody Kamm and Justin Broberg are poised to continue Hentges Racing’s tradition of success.