Tucker Hibbert won Friday's Pro Open class at the U.S. Air Force Snocross at Buffalo River Race Park (BRRP).
And in Pro Lite racing Corin Todd (Leighton Motorsports/Polaris) not only won Friday’s main event, he also took over the series point lead from Andrew Carlson.
Pro Open
Hibbert started in the middle of the front row – selecting the shortest distance to the Stud Boy Holeshot line. A risky move given the proximity of the rest of the field on the season’s longest and fastest start to date, Hibbert was quick off the draw and his Arctic Cat sled responded – launching him out to an early lead that he’d never give up.
“The track was different, different than it’s been in the past. But it’s fun to change it up, like we’ve been doing each week. I’m pumped to do well here so close to home, and looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight," Hibbert said.
The sentimental favorite at BRRP tonight had to be Ross Martin (DuPont/Jack Links/Polaris). The Wisconsin-based racer had been on the sidelines for the last several races with an injured shoulder, but rallied back to qualify in 4th place and raced even better in the finals – 2nd behind Hibbert.
“Second place tonight feels like a win right now,” said Martin. “There’s always a little doubt, but it feels great to be up here and I’m looking forward to racing at Lake Geneva (Wis.) next weekend.”
With Hibbert up front early thanks to a couple blistering laps (2 & 3), Arctic Cat’s Cody Thomsen and LaVallee Racing/Polaris’ Kyle Pallin put on an excellent show for the third and final podium spot early – a battle eventually won by Thomsen, who’d hold on to the third and final podium spot.
As Hibbert and Martin continued to break away from the rest of the pack (Hibbert up nine seconds on Martin, Martin up 3.5 seconds on Thomsen), Christian Brothers Racing/Arctic Cat’s Logan Christian came barreling in to challenge Pallin. Another hometown racer, Christian (4th), would race to 4th place at the checkers while teammate David Joanis (Royal Distributing/Arctic Cat) rounded out tonight’s Pro Open top five.
Pro Lite
Wrestling the lead from holeshot winner James Johnstad (Judnick Motorsports/Polaris) on the opening lap, Corin Todd would click off a Pro Open-worthy 42.9-second lap (on lap two) and opened up a lead he’d never relinquish.
“You get a 2nd or 3rd place start, put yourself in good position because I knew I had to make my move early,” said Todd. “It’s easier that way, at the start of the race, because we’re all grouped close together.”
With the win Todd overcame an eight-point deficit heading into tonight’s Pro Lite final to Andrew Carlson (Carlson Motorsports/Polaris) – and now leads Carlson by one point in the overall class chase, 473-472.
Qualifying 1st and placing 2nd in tonight’s Pro Lite final was Team LaVallee/Polaris’ Andrew Lieders. Lieders rode a solid race, keeping pace with Todd – but unable to mount any sort of serious chase on the 1st place position in the 11-lap contest.
Johnstad would remain up front, about equal distance back for Lieders (that Lieders was to Todd, roughly two seconds). And passing Carlson late in the contest for 4th place – and thus insuring the point lead for Todd – was 2nd place qualifier John Stenberg (Team Bauerly/Ski-Doo). Carlson would round out the top five.