AMSOIL Championship Snocross returns to the tri-state area of Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the third time in series history. This year, the circuit returns to venue where it all began in 2021 – the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds.
That’s right. The event is on as scheduled. Despite warm temps, the event promoters have been working tirelessly to bring in snow from the surrounding area to give us a race track. While the temps may not be typical for snowmobile racing, it is these conditions where we see great fan turnouts. For tickets and event information, click here. or those who are not able to make it, please see this week’s watch guide for viewing information. Check out the Pro division entry lists
A throwback to the last time we visited the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds in 2022 as documented by Sledhead 24-7.
AMSOIL PRO
Brilliant Weekend For Arctic Cat
Arctic Cat fans, rejoice. If you bleed green, it does not get better than a weekend sweep of the AMSOIL Pro class. On Friday in New York, Jacob Yurk (Kyllo Racing Team) won the overall, only to be penalized. As a result, Daniel Benham (Woodies Racing Arctic Cat) was officially credited with the win. Benham went on to win Saturday as well.
These wins were significant as it was the first time the manufacturer had a premier class win since Benham did it at Fargo 2021. Both racers have an undying loyalty to the brand. Let’s break down why these performances are so meaningful to each racer.
BENHAM:
Daniel earned Woodies Racing their first-ever AMSOIL Pro win. They have had podiums in the past with former riders and have earned numerous Pro Women wins with Taven Woodie, but this was the first for the Pro class. 2024 is the first season in which Daniel has earned multiple Pro wins since his debut in the 2018-2019 season. He didn’t just win. He swept.
Benham has noted that he has a lot of autonomy when it comes to tuning race sled. He has added that this is a setting in which he thrives.
YURK:
Regardless of the fact that he was stripped of the Friday night win in New York, we will still give credit where credit is due for his podium performance. Yurk teamed up with Chad Kyllo over the off-season to form Kyllo Racing Team. The two have worked with one another for a number of years. They earned their first podium together in Deadwood, SD back in January. They team has been shinning on the short tracks. Perhaps a good omen heading into the weekend in Sioux Falls. Yurk has one career Pro win that happened to have came in South Dakota (Deadwood 2021).
After spending the balance of his Pro Lite and Pro career in large haulers of major race teams, Yurk has a change of environment this year with this new, smaller team. For him, it’s back to basics. A setting that he’s missed and is happy to be back to.
The Championship Battles We’re Watching:
Is it too soon to be talking about the 2024 title? Absolutely not. We’re already at the halfway point of the season.
The Lead: Harr versus Pelletier
Just 14 points separate Emil Harr (Judnick Motorsports Polaris) and Francis Pelletier (Thene Motorsports Ski-Doo). Going into the last event, 22 points separated the two. Francis put together a consistent weekend that allowed him to gain on Harr.
3rd – 5th: Lebel, Yurk and Benham
The difference between 3rd through 5th is 10 points. Lebel (165 points), Yurk (160 points), Benham (155 points). All three of these riders have led laps. Two of them have officially been credited with wins.
Top Performers from the last round in New York:
- Arctic Cat Top Performer: Daniel Benham 1st O/A (1-1-2)
- Ski-Doo Top Performer: Francis Pelletier 2nd O/A (2-2-1)
- Polaris Top Performer: Emil Harr 4th O/A (3-9-3)
There is only one current racer with a win in Sioux Falls, and that is Elias Ishoel (Injured). With Elias not lining up this weekend due to injury, we will see a new winner in SuFu.
PRO LITE
Crayden Dillon: High Point Man
Crayden Dillon still has a firm grip on the championship point standings. The tight quarters of the Salamanca track had Crayden forcing a few errors which cost him his win stream. Watch for him to try to bounce back this weekend.
Nick Lorenz: Our pre-New York analysis aged well. ICYMI, Lorenz swept in New York for his first career sweep! These wins also marked his first since switching to Ski-Doo this season (West Coast Customs Racing).
Lorenz seems to be adapting well to the MXZX 600R Ski-Doo this season given his collection of podiums and now runner up in the standings. Is this already rebound from 2023? Absolutely. Perhaps a season that he would like to forget about as far as results are concerned as he finished the season 13th. It would appear that the class veteran is back to peak form. With 4 career wins and 50% of them at this very venue, experts say that he would be the most likely opponent to end Dillon’s undefeated streak.
PRO WOMEN
Lange: Out. Torn MCL
Not the update I was wanting to give… from the get go I had some side pain and knee pain. Found out I had a hemorrhage on my left adrenal gland but thankfully that is fully healed on its own?? The knee however did not heal on its own? I have torn my MCL and they are not liking the way my ACL looks or its movement. So with all that being said I will be going in to surgery on March 12th for some repair work. With the recovery time of surgery I will be out the rest of the season. Not how I imaged this season going but I will still be attending every race cheering on my teammates and friends!! See everyone at Sioux Falls??
Malene Cottew has won 3 of the 4 races in Sioux Falls. Last year, her sweep happened at Huset’s Speedway. Back in 2021, she and Megan Brodeur each earned a win that weekend.
You can tune in live all weekend live on FloRacing. For a schedule of events, tickets and event information on the Sioux Falls Snocross National presented by Kwik Star, click here.