Shakopee, Minn. ~ The second night of racing at the U.S. Air Force Snocross National brought thrilling action and memorable moments as part of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross series. Dedicated fans braved the winter chill at Canterbury Park, with big snowflakes falling steadily, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for the high-speed drama unfolding on the massive track.

After a young gun outlasted the defending champion and a Viking Rocket in Friday’s intense battles, Saturday night promised even more excitement under the lights. The expansive and technical course pushed riders to their limits once again, delivering edge-of-your-seat action and showcasing the skill and determination of the sport’s best. 

Ishoel Edges Harr for AMSOIL Pro Honors

The AMSOIL Pro Lite final in Shakopee delivered thrilling action as riders navigated the high-stakes three-race Triple Crown format, where every finishing position matters. 

Defending champion Emil Harr made a strong statement in round one, overcoming a slow start to pass Elias Ishoel and Kody Kamm late in the contest for the win, with Ishoel finishing second. Round two saw vintage Ishoel in action, methodically stalking Adam Peterson before seizing the lead with three laps to go, while Harr had to scramble to a fifth-place finish.

The deciding third round featured intense battles, with Kody Kamm taking the early lead and Ishoel running close behind. Harr, showcasing his relentless determination, charged through the pack and overtook Kamm and Ishoel to claim his second win of the night. However, it wasn’t enough to secure the overall. Ishoel’s consistency across the three rounds, with finishes of 2-1-3, earned him six points, the overall victory, and a return to the top of the championship.

“This was one of the hardest races I’ve ever done this weekend,” said Ishoel. “To leave with the red plates is unbelievable.”

Harr’s 1-5-1 performance landed him second with seven points, while Kamm, Harr’s teammate, went 3-7-2 for 12 points and third overall. 

Dillon Gets Shakopee Sweep in Pro Lite

Defending Anderson’s Maple Syrup Pro Lite Pro Lite champion Crayden Dillon showcased his resilience and skill on Saturday night, completing a weekend sweep at the U.S. Air Force Snocross National and maintaining his perfect season record. The race began with Emil Mikalsen delivering a breakout performance, nailing the holeshot, and building a commanding lead in the early laps. Meanwhile, Dillon faced an uphill battle after starting ninth. He wasted no time slicing through the field, reaching third in just two laps. However, it took several more laps of determination to overtake Adam Ashline for second.

Once in pursuit of Mikalsen, Dillon steadily closed the gap and, with four laps remaining, made a decisive move to take the lead. From there, he pulled away to secure his third consecutive victory. 

“I was trying to stay patient there; the track was pretty smooth at the beginning,” said Dillon. “I just didn’t want to leave the door open for anybody. Once the track got rougher, we found our lines and found our groove and we got it all done.”

Mikalsen, riding smooth and consistent, held on for a well-deserved second place, marking his first podium of the season. Ashline capped off his best performance of the year with a hard-fought third, fending off late pressure from Drew Freeland and Anson Scheele.

Hauger Holds Off Cottew for Bikeman Performance Pro AM Women’s Win 

The Pro AM Women’s final in Shakopee delivered edge-of-your-seat drama as defending champion Malene Cottew and rising star Inanna Hauger battled for the top spot. Hauger, renowned for her explosive holeshots, missed the lead off the line on Saturday night but quickly claimed it after a bold move exiting turn two. She rode with determination, holding strong at the front despite relentless pressure from Cottew. As the laps ticked, the gap between the two riders was razor-thin, just 0.9 seconds before they entered the final lap.

With half a lap remaining, the pressure mounted as Cottew pushed for the lead but swapped out and crashed, opening the door for Hauger to cruise to her first win of the season.

The crash reshuffled the podium as Cerissa Blessum capitalized on the opportunity, sneaking past Cottew to take second. Despite the mishap, Cottew displayed the heart of a champion, refiring quickly and finishing just a sled length behind Blessum for third. 

Andy Lieders Claims Third Straight Thomas Sno Sport Pro AM Plus 30 Victory

Past class champion Andy Lieders showcased his determination and skill in the Thomas Sno Sport Pro AM Plus 30 final on Saturday night, chasing down points leader Brian Peterson to secure his third consecutive win. Peterson grabbed the early lead and looked strong until lap four when Lieders made his move to take over the top spot. The battle was far from over, as Peterson began closing the gap on Lieders, but his charge abruptly stopped when he tipped his sled, dropping him out of contention for the win.

The mishap allowed Tyler Oomen to slide into second, and he held off a recovering Peterson to claim the runner-up spot. Peterson settled for third after a spirited effort, rounding out the podium. The thrilling race highlighted Lieders’ relentless drive and the fierce competition in the Pro AM Plus 30 class, keeping fans on their feet at Canterbury Park.

Duffy Dominates Shakopee with Back-to-Back FXR Sport Class Wins

Kamden Duffy showcased his incredible form in the Sport class, completing a flawless weekend with back-to-back victories in Shakopee. In Saturday’s final, Zak Farmer powered out of the gate to claim the holeshot through the big left-handed sweeping turn one. However, Duffy wasted no time, making a decisive pass by the end of the first full lap and controlling the race from there. 

Farmer, the round one winner, continued his consistent season with a solid second-place finish, marking his third podium appearance of the year. Behind him, Tanner Johnson battled his way to a third-place finish, earning his first podium of the season and adding a new contender to the mix, including points leader Dylan Lebel (fourth).

Stanisich Breaks Through with First Pflipsen Trucking Sport Lite Victory 

Jimmy Stanisich rebounded in impressive fashion on Saturday night, earning his first win of the season in the Sport Lite class after a challenging Friday performance in Shakopee. His victory not only marked a milestone but also vaulted him into a tie for second in the points standings alongside AJ Skogquist. Stanisich showcased a smooth and controlled ride, capitalizing on the track’s challenges to claim the top spot in a fiercely competitive field.

Colin Taggart delivered a strong performance, charging from a fifth-place start to find his rhythm and secure a second-place finish. Alex Einarsson also impressed, working his way from a seventh-place start to finish third, one position better than his solid fourth-place result on Friday.

Rox Speed FX Stock 200: Lane Ohnstad made a statement in his national schedule debut at Canterbury, claiming victory in the Stock 200 (6-12) class on Saturday night. Lincoln Skar delivered another strong performance, finishing second and closing the gap on points leader Henry Dillon. Easton Green made his first final of the year memorable, securing a hard-earned third-place finish to round out the podium. 

1911 Beef Transition 9-13: Points leader Ryder Hayes delivered an outstanding performance in the Transition 9-13 class, completing a weekend sweep with a commanding 13-second victory. Leading from start to finish, Hayes secured his third win of the season. John Thieke crossed the line in second, earning his second podium of the year, while Beckum Pete charged from an eighth-place start to claim third, marking his first trip to the winner’s circle this year. 

Hayward Power Sports Junior 14-15: Carter VanHorsish showcased his speed and consistency in the Junior 14-15 class, winning Saturday’s final after a solid second-place finish on Friday in Round 3. VanHorsish, the round one winner, continued to assert himself as a top contender and took control of the points lead. Cody Moras delivered an impressive performance, earning his first podium with a second-place finish after charging from sixth to second by the end of lap two. Gavin Brault, who captured a heat win earlier in the day, rounded out the podium in third, marking his first top-three finish of the season.

SPEEDWERX Transition 8-10: Points leader Travis Bellerive continued his dominant run in the Transition 8-10 class, securing his third straight win with a flawless wire-to-wire performance. Jack Gelinas once again proved consistent, finishing second for the third consecutive race. Holden Kuhn rounded out the podium in third, marking his second straight night on the box. 

ROX Champ 120: Henry Dillon showcased his skill and composure in the 120 Champ final, navigating through late traffic to secure his second win of the season. Dillon’s precision riding kept him ahead of a determined Lincoln Skar, who had to fend off a pack of sleds in hot pursuit to claim second place. The battle for third came down to the wire, with Kody Krantz edging out Deegan Giguere by a mere tenth of a second at the finish line.

Woodies Racing Junior Girls 9-13: Avery Hemmer continued her dominant start to the season, securing her second consecutive win in the Junior Girls 9-13 class with a commanding 15-second victory in Shakopee. Backing up her round one triumph in Mt. Zion, Hemmer showcased unmatched speed and consistency. Eleanor Schmidt delivered another strong performance, finishing second for the second straight race, while Peyton Weisbrod earned her first podium with a solid third-place finish.

Pete Transport LLC JUNIOR 10-13: Tyson Kielman captured his first win of the season in commanding fashion in the Junior 10-13 class. Starting fourth, Kielman made a bold move to grab the lead on the first lap and never looked back, earning the victory and taking over as the points leader. Charlie Lucas delivered a solid performance to finish second, while John Thieke rounded out the podium in third. Both Lucas and Thieke celebrated their first podium finishes of the season.

Next Stop: The AMSOIL Championship Snocross series heads to Shakopee, Minnesota, for the U.S. Air Force Snocross National at Days of 76 Rodeo in Deadwood, S.D. on January 24-25, 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 series’ tightest tracks.
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.